As one storm system exits the country, another powerful system is set to bring severe weather across a 1,000-mile stretch of the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued warnings for states from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Ohio Valley, with a particular focus on Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

While previous weather events this week featured a range of severe weather possibilities, today's forecast primarily includes threats of hail, damaging winds, and flooding. However, the SPC has not ruled out the possibility of a few tornadoes in the Level 3 risk area, comprising St. Louis, northern Tennessee, and portions of western Kentucky.

Meteorologist Steve Bender from FOX Weather emphasized the potential for severe weather, stating, "The very likely area includes St. Louis, all the way down into those areas of northern Tennessee and portions of western Kentucky." The forecast highlights the cities of Paducah as particularly vulnerable to the severe weather threat.

Currently, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. CDT for central and southern Illinois, southeast Kansas, and central and southern Missouri, including St. Louis and Springfield. Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in place for eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas until after sunset.

Forecasters do not anticipate the tornado threat to be the greatest concern due to the misalignment of atmospheric conditions. Once daytime heating subsides, thunderstorms are expected to lose intensity overnight. However, the slow-moving nature of the cold front, combined with the recent heavy rainfall over the Ohio Valley, increases the risk of flooding, especially along the northern and southern tiers.

Computer forecast models predict Texas could receive up to 2-3 inches of rain by the end of the week. While rainfall amounts are not expected to be significant farther north, many rivers and streams in the Ohio Valley are already near full capacity.

As the severe storm system looms over the nation, residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about changing weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.