Tornado Watch In Effect Until 8 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Lehigh and Northampton counties until 8 p.m. this evening.

A special weather statement from the weather service said at 1 p.m. said that thunderstorms are already forming in central and northwest portions of the state and are expected to increase in intensity while moving east.

The statement said some of these storms could produce strong, gusty winds, hail and possibly a tornado while moving east.

Patch will monitor the developments and reports updates as warranted.