OHIO — A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect Monday afternoon for several counties across northwest Ohio as strong storms move through the region, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch 220 remains valid until 6 p.m. EDT for Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Williams counties. Additional portions of northwest Ohio, including Hancock, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood counties, were later added under Severe Thunderstorm Watch 223, which remains in effect until 9 p.m. EDT.
Cities included in the watches include Lima, Defiance, Van Wert, Bryan, Wauseon, Napoleon, Ottawa, Swanton, Paulding and Archbold.
The watches were issued as conditions became favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and frequent lightning. Heavy downpours could also lead to localized flooding in some areas.
The National Weather Service urged residents across the affected Ohio counties to monitor weather conditions closely throughout the evening and be prepared to seek shelter if warnings are issued.
A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather development, while a warning indicates severe weather is occurring or imminent.
The watches are expected to remain in effect through the evening hours as storms continue tracking across portions of Ohio.
