**National Weather Service Predicts Several Tornado Touchdowns This Weekend in St. Louis**
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an urgent warning for residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area, forecasting the likelihood of several tornado touchdowns this coming weekend. With weather models showing a powerful storm system moving through the Midwest, meteorologists are urging the public to stay alert and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
According to the latest updates from the NWS, the potential for severe weather will begin late Friday evening and intensify throughout Saturday and Sunday. The storm system is expected to bring a combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds exceeding 70 mph, large hail, and a high risk of tornadic activity — particularly in the greater St. Louis area and surrounding counties.
“We are seeing some very concerning indicators in our models,” said Mike Keller, lead meteorologist at the NWS St. Louis office. “This system has the potential to produce multiple tornadoes, some of which could be strong to violent. We’re urging everyone to take these forecasts seriously and prepare now.”
The risk level has been raised to **Enhanced to Moderate** by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), a classification that reflects both the increased likelihood and potential severity of tornado activity. Forecasters note that these types of storms often develop quickly and may offer limited warning time before touchdown, making it critical for residents to monitor weather alerts and have a reliable emergency plan in place.
Local emergency management agencies are also preparing for the worst. The St. Louis Office of Emergency Management confirmed they are coordinating with first responders, hospitals, and utility companies to ensure readiness in the event of widespread damage or power outages.
“We’ve all seen what these storms can do,” said EMA Director Rachel Simmons. “Now is not the time to wait and see. We are asking residents to review their safety plans, check on vulnerable neighbors, and make sure their phones are set to receive emergency alerts.”
Officials recommend assembling emergency kits with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, medications, and important documents. Residents with basements or storm shelters are being reminded to keep them accessible and stocked. For those without underground shelter, identifying an interior room on the lowest floor of their home — away from windows — is critical.
The looming storm threat also raises concerns about potential disruptions to weekend events, travel, and public safety. Local school districts and community centers have begun reviewing contingency plans for outdoor events, and flights in and out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport may face delays or cancellations depending on storm development.
As always, staying informed is key. The NWS advises residents to monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local news broadcasts, and official NWS social media accounts for real-time updates.
In a region with a long history of severe weather, the message from forecasters is clear: don’t take this weekend lightly. Tornado season is in full swing, and with atmospheric conditions ripe for dangerous storms, the St. Louis community must be ready for whatever nature may bring.
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