The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for Connecticut including Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven, and Hartford Counties effective Friday afternoon and evening until 10 pm.For updates, click on the Weather Underground link at the top of The Bee's home page, or follow The Newtown Bee on Facebook and/or Twitter, where updates will also be posted if necessary.

Primary threats include tornadoes, possible scattered, damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, and possible isolated large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter.

Thunderstorms, including a few super-cells capable of hail, damaging wind, and tornadoes are expected to form, strengthen, and spread generally east across eastern New York, Northeastern PA and western New England later today into tonight.

Precaution and preparedness are key. The National Weather Service reminds residents of the affected areas that a Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.