First Alert for the upcoming night.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - As we approach mid-afternoon on Sunday, Tornado Watches are in effect to our west, affecting seven states.

From southern Michigan all the way down to western Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, the risk of severe storms with high winds, including some potentially rotating, is significant. The most likely timeframe for storms to impact our area looks to be late this evening through early Monday morning. Original Posting (1 PM Sunday): This Sunday afternoon, the early morning shower pattern is tapering off.

Hannah accurately predicted last night that the morning rain would be non-severe. Now, as we move into the afternoon, we can expect a shift in the weather. Humidity levels will rise as southerly winds pick up. When gaps form in the cloud cover, we'll witness clouds moving swiftly from the southwest to the northeast, creating ideal conditions for spring severe weather. As of 1 PM, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), the country's leading authority on severe weather, has pinpointed a section of western Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana as being particularly at risk for severe thunderstorms. This region of the heartland is currently under a Tornado Watch. Although we don't anticipate the same optimal conditions for severe storms here tonight, there will be enough atmospheric energy and moisture at the surface to warrant attention for potentially severe weather. This afternoon and into the evening, we can enjoy several hours of outdoor activity, with only the possibility of a passing thunder shower. As sunset approaches, our focus will shift to the storm systems developing over Indiana, Louisville, and Cincinnati, which may send some thunderstorms our way.

We will keep a close eye on the progress of these storms, along with any new storm watches issued by the SPC. While an initial line of storms may affect southern Ohio after dark, as Hannah mentioned last night, the stronger, more persistent storm line is expected to arrive later, likely after most people are already asleep. The primary threat from these storms will be power outages caused by strong winds. If a new tornado or severe thunderstorm watch is issued for our area, it will likely cover the overnight hours.

WSAC