A tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. today throughout the Times News area counties.

Here is the latest forecast:

This afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. High near 79. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 54.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.

Send your storm photos to tneditor@tnonline.com