For those of us who lived through the February 29, 2012 tornado that hit Harrisburg, today's weather is feeling eerily familiar.
The national Weather Service is in agreement with that assessment: There's a tornado watch for 33 southern Illinois counties:
For those of you mobile-y challenged, those counties are included in this statement:
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Paducah KY 1101 AM CST Tue Feb 28 2017 ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087- 100-107>112-114-011715- Jefferson-Wayne IL-Edwards-Wabash-Perry IL-Franklin-Hamilton- White-Jackson-Williamson-Saline-Gallatin-Union-Johnson-Pope- Hardin-Alexander-Pulaski-Massac-Gibson-Pike-Posey-Vanderburgh- Warrick-Spencer-Fulton-Hickman-Carlisle-Ballard-McCracken-Graves- Livingston-Marshall-Calloway-Crittenden-Lyon-Trigg-Caldwell- Union KY-Webster-Hopkins-Christian-Henderson-Daviess-McLean- Muhlenberg-Todd-Perry MO-Bollinger-Cape Girardeau-Wayne MO-Carter- Ripley-Butler-Stoddard-Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid- 1101 AM CST Tue Feb 28 2017 ...Outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes possible tonight into early Wednesday... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes appears increasingly likely tonight into early Wednesday. The primary hazards will be isolated tornadoes and large hail. There is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for much of our region. The potential exists for an outbreak of tornadoes, including some strong tornadoes. Supercell thunderstorms capable of very large hail and destructive winds will progress northeast at very rapid speeds. Very heavy downpours could result in localized flash flooding. The potential for severe storms will begin to increase very late this afternoon and evening, mainly over southeast Missouri. The time frame for the most widespread and intense activity appears to be mainly from 11 pm through daybreak. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Organized severe storms will likely be continuing through early Wednesday morning. The storms will rapidly diminish from west to east as a cold front passes in the morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of spotters is likely tonight.
So be on your guard, readers....Mardi Gras might end somewhat stormily...