Tornado threat looms as two storm systems approach Kennett and Dunklin County this weekend

This weekend's weather forecast for Kennett and Dunklin County is wet and wild.

National Weather Service at Memphis Meteorologist Amber Schlessiger said Thursday that two strong storm systems are headed for the area, and the first should land beginning Friday evening.

"We have a pretty good storm system looking like it will impact the area between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday," Schlessiger said. "As the storms push east into West Tennessee, that's when we kind of expect more of the severe weather start to emerge.

"But right now, it looks like you guys will see a few storms starting a little bit earlier Friday night," she added. "We have damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes possible."

Although tornado activity is nothing to ignore, the meteorologist said Dunklin County probably will be spared those storms.

"We have a lot of ingredients in place that could form pretty significant tornadoes," Schelssiger noted. "Right now, we expect that corridor to be farther east of West Tennessee.

But we could get a few pop-ups over in Northeast Arkansas and into the Bootheel, as well," she added. "If we do get a tornado, it does have the potential to become significant. So that would be an EF2-plus for any of those storms."

A secondary round of storms develops on Saturday, Schlessiger explained.

"It looks like it's going to be more confined to the Mississippi area," she said. "But maybe a few thunderstorms up into Northeast Arkansas and the Bootheel.

"But overall, it looks like those storms are going to be south of you guys," she added. "It's wise to be aware of weather alerts and to pay attention to them when they appear."

The National Weather Service forecasts and weather information may be found at www.weather.gov.