Thursday's live blog: Latest about the severe weather outbreak

An intensifying low-pressure system, along with its front is moving eastward toward the South. Severe storms will expand from the Ohio Valley southward to the Central Gulf States. This live blog will be updated throughout Wednesday evening to keep you updated throughout the event.

The storms are still firing across the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys this evening. Tornado watches and severe storm watches are still in effect. Damaging gusts, hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain continue to be the main threats.

If you receive a tornado warning, move to the most centralized lower-level location of your home to put as many walls and floors in between you and the tornado. Monitor the WeatherRadar and remain where you are until the storm passes.

Storms are really kicking up across the Tennessee Valley where a funnel cloud was spotted heading towards Murfreesboro. We're in the peak of the commuting hour so be sure to monitor the latest radar feed. Have a NOAA weather radio on and your alert notifications turned up.

We are getting into the afternoon commute hours and Deep South residents will need to keep a close eye on the WeatherRadar before making their trips. It is hard to shelter from a tornado in traffic. Have at least three ways of receiving a weather warning.

Severe storms amongst possible tornadoes have been moving through the Deep South this afternoon. Ripley, Miss., is one of the hard hit areas where heavy damages are seen. The severe storm threat continues through this evening.

Heavy, flooding rains have also been see in Tennessee today as a result of the storms.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado forecast with a hatched area (yellow dashed). This means there is a greater chance for tornadoes between EF2 and EF5 strength. Nashville, Birmingham, Ala., and Jackson, Miss., are all within this risk area.

Another tornado watch has been issued and includes northern Mississippi through south-central Kentucky. Strong storms capable of producing tornadoes will be around through the afternoon commute and through dinner time. Have at least three ways of receiving a weather warning.

Not only is this system bringing severe weather threats, but it is also bringing flooding threats. As much as a slight risk of excessive rainfall is forecast where areas could see two to three inches of quick rainfall.

The U.S. Geological Survey notes in their recent update that many of the stream flows within the risk regions are above or much-above normal due to recent rainfall and even snow melt from the northern tier. It won't take much rain for puddling and flash flooding to occur as the ground could quickly become saturated. Turn around, don't drown.

The WeatherRadar shows the strong line of thunderstorms is moving into the enhanced risk area where much of the storm juice is poised. The risk for tornadoes is greatest in this area and damaging gusts greater than 57 mph are possible. Downed tree limbs and power lines as well as power outages are all possible.

The low pressure system causing the severe storms is strong. The cold front itself shows the large temperature gradient between the Plains and lower Mississippi Valley this morning. Residents getting the severe storms will feel a sharp difference in temperature once the front passes. Don't forget the jackets!

Another tornado watch has been issued for much of Mississippi including Jackson, Meridian, and Greenwood this morning.

As the storms fire, plentiful lightning is being produced, which can be viewed live on the LightningRadar.

Severe weather threat is gradually increasing more as the sun starts to heat up the atmosphere. With more sunshine today, along with plenty of moisture crashing with the cold front, storms will have all the energy they need to get going. Please make sure to have at least 3 ways of receiving weather alerts.

Storms will bring the threat of damaging winds, hail, flooding, and tornadoes. Our colleague John Petramala, will be reporting from Jackson, Miss., throughout the day and bring you prompt updates as the storms roll through.

Wednesday night into Thursday morning there were 19 preliminary hail reports, mainly from southern Oklahoma to Arkansas to southeastern Missouri and even western Tennessee. Broken windshields were reported in Arkansas as hail with a diameter of 1.25 inches fell just west of Memphis.

Our WeatherRadar shows numerous storms extend from Kentucky through far western Tennessee and Arkansas as the cold front continues to push eastward. Kentucky is completely covered with storms and frequent lightning strikes.

These storms have a history of being severe and with daylight, the atmosphere will become more unstable through the morning and afternoon.

Tornado watches are in effect across western Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and extreme weather Kentucky and southeastern Missouri.

Another issue will be heavy rain in a short amount of time. Flood is becoming a big issue for Kentucky and later in the day for Tennesse. Cities across western Tennessee could receive a February's worth of rain just within the next few hours. Remember, turn around don't drown.