A flash flood watch is now in effect from noon today through Thursday afternoon.
The area affected is all of southern Illinois, southeast Missouri and far western Kentucky.
Periods of showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall will spread northeast over the watch area this afternoon and tonight, and persist much of the day Thursday.
Rainfall totals are expected to range from around 2 inches in Kentucky to 3 inches in parts of southern Illinois to 5 inches or more in parts of southeast Missouri.
The persistent heavy rainfall will result in flooding of low lying or poor drainage areas, and will eventually produce flash flooding along smaller creeks and streams.