By KWGS News/National Weather Service
Oklahoma City, OK – Tornado watch issued for western Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for nine counties in western Oklahoma.
The watch, in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday, covers Beaver, Beckham, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Roger Mills and Texas counties. Strong storms were reported in the Oklahoma Panhandle Thursday afternoon.
The weather service says an area west of a line from Ponca City to Stillwater to Chandler to Madill is under a slight risk for severe weather during the afternoon. Central and eastern Oklahoma could see severe storms linger into Thursday night and Friday.
Besides tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail were possible.
Forecasters say an intense spring storm system moving slowly eastward will encounter, warm, moist and windy conditions in the nation's midsection, setting the stage for possible severe weather.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.