Strong winds and thunderstorms to hit Kennett area, meteorologist warns

March is roaring in like a lion.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Desiree Meadows warns the Kennett area and all of the Bootheel to be aware of strong winds and thunderstorms with the threat of hail moving in on Tuesday.

"Severe Weather Preparedness Week is going on in Missouri," Meadows said. "And what better time to have it with severe weather in the forecast?

"Right now, our main concern is some damaging winds," Meadows said. "And some hail for Tuesday.

"It's kind of a mixed bag," she added. "You have some pretty strong winds ahead of thunderstorms."

A wind advisory is in effect for the Dunklin County area beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Meadows warned.

"Strong winds," she said. "Sustained winds up to 30, 35 miles per hour.

"Gusts up to 45-50 miles per hour for you guys," the meteorologist continued. "That'll be ahead of all the thunderstorms that will come later on in the day. It looks like the best time is as early as 11 a.m. on Tuesday. But most likely starting around noon."

And those storms could pose a threat for the area well into the afternoon, Meadows noted.

"Until four or five p.m.," she said. "The weather is constantly changing.

"So it's good we have Severe Weather Preparedness Week," Meadows continued. "Especially for days like Tuesday. Heavy rain might localize and pond in urban areas."

But flash flooding for rural areas is not an issue for this round of severe weather, Meadows observed.

"We're not too concerned about the flooding outlook," she said. "There's a one-in-10 chance of higher rain.

"But we're roughly expecting rainfall of about an inch or less," she continued. "With the cold front that's moving in and the thunderstorms developing, you could get an inch-and-a-half. But we aren't expecting that."

Meadows calls for cooler temperatures and milder winds for Wednesday.

"With the thunderstorms, there's always a cold front," Meadows said. "So, it is going to be a little bit still breezy on Wednesday as that low-pressure system starts to move out.

"Winds about 30-35 miles per hour gusting up to 40," she forecasted. "Gonna be a lot chillier as well."

Wednesday's highs are forecasted to be 45 to 50 degrees, Meadows said.

"So, the meteorological Spring is starting a little bit chilly for the Bootheel."