The National Weather Service in Des Moines has extended a tornado watch to include Story County until 2 a.m. Monday.

Storms located in southern Iowa have produced severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings this evening.

The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook states that severe thunderstorms are expected to develop in Nebraska and Missouri before moving into southern Iowa and central Iowa very late tonight. Golf ball size hail, winds up to 70 mph and localized heavy rain are also possible.

A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. The National Weather Service issues them well in advance of actual severe weather, according to a posting on its website.

Information about the university’s tornado procedures are available on the Department of Environmental Health and Safety’s website.

The Iowa State Daily will continue to watch for updates from the National Weather Service and will post new information as it becomes available. Information will also be available on our Facebook and Twitter pages.