WISCONSIN — A tornado watch has been issued for portions of Wisconsin as severe weather moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Tornado Watch 89 remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT Thursday and includes counties across south central, southeast and east central Wisconsin.
Counties under the watch include Green, Lafayette and Rock counties in south central Wisconsin, along with Walworth County in southeast Wisconsin. The watch was later expanded to include additional counties such as Dane, Columbia and Iowa counties in south central Wisconsin, as well as Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha counties in southeast Wisconsin. Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties in east central Wisconsin are also included.
Cities impacted by the watch include Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Janesville, Beloit, Waukesha, West Bend, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac, among others.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay alert, monitor weather updates and be prepared to take shelter if warnings are issued.
The watch is part of a larger severe weather system impacting several Midwestern states Thursday evening.
Officials recommend having multiple ways to receive weather alerts and identifying a safe place to take shelter if conditions worsen.
The situation remains active and will continue to be monitored throughout the evening.
