Flash flood watch in Columbia until Thursday morning

COLUMBIA — Heavy rain is likely overnight, and the Columbia area remains under a flash flood watch through Thursday morning.

Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected before the rain diminishes Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis. Locally higher rainfall totals are possible, especially in areas hit by multiple thunderstorms.

A slow-moving front is forecast to slide southeast across Missouri tonight and combine with a vigorous storm system approaching from the southwest, the Weather Service said in a statement issued at 3:32 p.m. Wednesday.

“This front will act as a focus for continued shower and thunderstorm development,” the news release said. “Heavy rainfall is expected as abundant Gulf moisture continues to flow into the system.”

Sanborn Field on the MU campus recorded 0.60 inches of rain on Wednesday as of 4:15 p.m.

The Weather Service cautioned that quick rises will occur along streams in the path of heavy rainfall and reminded motorists to avoid driving on roads covered by water.