The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms valid until 7:00 a.m.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has outlined a portion of the western and central Gulf states within a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms on Wednesday. A storm system in the southwestern United States will eject into the mid-Mississippi River Valley by Wednesday afternoon.

Several damage surveys were completed today in the wake of a tornado outbreak in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama last night. Most of the damage surveyed so far has been rated EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating considerable damage with wind speeds reaching between 111 and 135 mph.

Locally heavy rain is possible today for portions of the Deep South as a disturbance in northwest Texas shifts east. Expect the heavier precipitation today to stretch from eastern Arkansas and Louisiana into central Alabama.

Tropical Storm Rina, the 17th named storm of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, formed Sunday night in the western Caribbean Sea. At 8:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Rina was located near latitude 16.8 north, longitude 82.5 west, or about 195 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman Island.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 13.4 north, longitude 47.0 west, or about 1,020 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands. Ophelia is moving toward the west at about 14 mph and this motion is expected to continue today, with a turn to the west-northwest expected on Friday

At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 12.7 north, longitude 41.8 west, or about 1,370 miles east of the Leeward Islands

Today, the National Weather Service released its final assessment report on the May 22 tornado that struck Joplin, Mo. The report identifies best practices and makes recommendations to help save more lives during future violent tornadoes. Most importantly, the assessment emphasizes that people must be prepared to take immediate action when a warning is issued.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 21.9 north, longitude 67.9 west, or about 320 miles east of the southeastern Bahamas. Maria is moving toward the north-northwest at about 5 mph.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 20.8 north, longitude 66.3 west. Maria is moving toward the northwest at near 9 mph.