Tornado Watch for Arnold, Jefferson County until 9 p.m.

Weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to occur in Arnold this afternoon, the National Weather Service says.

Posted Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:44 pm CT|Updated Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 6:59 pm CT

The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted severe thunderstorms in Arnold, Jefferson County and the St. Louis area after 3 p.m. today.

The storms are capable of producing strong tornadoes, golf ball-sized hail and damaging wind gusts, the NWS said in a news release.

The storms are expected to persist until 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The NWS also issued a flood warning for the Meramec River area because of the possible heavy rains expected with the coming thunderstorms.

Up to 1 inch of rain fell in the past 24 hours and another 0.75 inches of rain is expected this afternoon and evening, the NWS said.

The rain and backwater effects from the Mississippi River may cause the Meramec River to raise higher than expected, the NWS said.

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