Scattered severe thunderstorms are currently occurring across a vast part of the central U.S., with severe thunderstorm watches in place for eastern Missouri and Illinois as well as the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay region on the east coast.

This is a "non-zero" tornado probability day for most of the country, but the risk for tornadoes will increase slightly in northwest Texas later today, along with the chance for very large hail. With a few exceptions, this has not been a very eventful storm season so far, at least not in terms of large-scale outbreaks. However, a pattern change is looming, and the potential for a significant multi-day event exists this weekend into early next week. We'll post more details on this situation as it develops!