STATE COLLEGE — A tornado watch for Columbia and Montour counties has been issued by the National Weather Service in State College.

The watch, which also affects 22 other counties in the central and western part of the state, was announced at 2:12 p.m. and remains in effect until 10 p.m., according to the NWS. 

A watch is issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK and is meant to alert residents that tornadoes are “possible in and near the watch area,” the NWS explains. If a tornado is spotted, or radar indicates one is developing, the watch is upgraded to a warning.

The watch comes as severe thunderstorms and high winds are expected to move into the area tonight.