The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for a swath across Georgia that includes Long, Liberty and Bryan counties.
The watch precedes a cold front that spawned storms in central and eastern Alabama overnight, moved into Georgia this morning and is crossing central Georgia about noon.
The watch is now set to last until 7 p.m. A watch alert means the development of a storm is possible. The NWS encouraged residents in a watch area to stay alert and to monitor media for forecasts and possible warnings. Warnings are issued when a tornado has been spotted and is expected to move across an area.
The service's warning says the biggest threat late this afternoon and tonight will be from high winds and possible hail, but, it says funnel clouds could develop.
Here's the NWS's forecast:
This Afternoon: Isolated showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3 a.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Low around 49. Southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Temperature falling to around 43 by 5 p.m. West wind between 11 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday Night: A chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 10 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 11 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. North wind between 11 and 16 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.