OHIO — A tornado watch has been issued for large portions of Ohio as severe storms move across the region Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
The watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms to develop. Residents across central, southern, western and northern Ohio are urged to stay alert and monitor weather updates throughout the day.
In central Ohio, counties under the watch include Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union. Major cities in that area include Columbus, Newark, Lancaster and Circleville.
Southern Ohio counties under the watch include Adams, Highland, Pike, Ross and Scioto. Communities such as Chillicothe, Hillsboro, Portsmouth and Waverly are included.
Southwest Ohio is also affected, with Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties included. Cities such as Cincinnati, Hamilton, Mason, Lebanon and Wilmington fall within the watch area.
West-central Ohio counties under the watch include Champaign, Clark, Greene, Hardin and Logan, covering cities such as Springfield, Urbana, Bellefontaine and Xenia.
Another tornado watch also extends across parts of northern Ohio, including counties such as Ashland, Crawford, Erie, Huron, Knox, Lorain, Marion, Morrow and Richland. Northeast Ohio counties including Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, Medina, Portage and Trumbull are also included. Cities such as Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Lorain and Mansfield fall within that watch area.
The first tornado watch affecting southern and central Ohio is scheduled to remain in effect until noon Wednesday. The second watch covering northern and northeastern Ohio remains in effect until 5 p.m.
Meteorologists say the watches were issued as a line of strong storms moves through the region capable of producing damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes.
Officials advise residents to stay weather-aware, have a way to receive emergency alerts and seek shelter immediately if warnings are issued.
