The National Weather Service said the area is under a tornado watch and high wind advisory today.

A tornado watch is in effect through 7 p. m. today for the Times News region.

A wind advisory is in effect until 2 a.m. Tuesday, with south winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Here’s the latest forecast:

This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 66. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Rain showers, possibly mixing with snow after 1 a.m., then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 24. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday: Scattered flurries before 2 p.m., then scattered flurries after 3 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tuesday Night: Scattered flurries before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.

Friday Night: A chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.