This afternoon...

At 1pm, temps in the piedmont are near 90 and dewpoints are near 70. This is a very warm and unstable airmass.

An upper level disturbance was located back near Kentucky. You can note the storms firing on the leading edge of the disturbance on the water vapor image below.

The SPC has upped a chunk of the region into the 'Moderate risk' area for severe storms this afternoon/evening. Damaging winds remain the main threat. Here are the wind probabilites from the latest SPC outlook.

Finally, here is the RPM model, valid at 6pm.

We will likely have an intense line, or broken line, of storms move first through the mountains and then through the foothills and piedmont as the afternoon unfolds.

The wind damage potential is elevated due to a number of meteorological factor in place. Please take Severe Thunderstorm Warnings seriously today.