The National Weather Service is issuing a tornado watch for all of southwest Missouri, and most of the state.
Weather experts say large hail, up to the size of baseballs, is possible. There is also a risk of up to 80 mile-per-hour winds.
The watch will be in effect until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, an encompasses all of southwest Missouri, from Joplin to Fort Leonard Wood.
The watch is also in effect for central Missouri, and much of east and northeast Missouri as well.