Tornado watch issued for Monroe, Ontario and surrounding counties

As the remnants of tropical cyclone Beryl enter the Rochester area on Wednesday, the presence of conditions possible to generate a tornado locally.

A tornado watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for most upstate counties in New York, including Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties. The watch remains in effect until 9 p.m.

The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when a tornado and severe thunderstorms are possible due to weather conditions. You should prepare by acting quickly if a warning is issued or suspect a tornado is approaching. Watches are issued by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center and typically cover a large area, cover multiple counties or even states.

The tornado watch is in effect due to a moist air mass south of a warm front mixing with strong atmospheric winds from the Beryl remnants, according to the Storm Prediction Center. These conditions will create storms capable of tornadoes or wind damage this afternoon through early to mid-evening.

Database: Tornadoes in NY since 1950

More: What's the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning?

Rochester weather radar

Western New York weather outlook

Severe weather will remain fairly widespread through the early evening in western and north central New York, according to the Weather Service. With the Beryl remnants in the area, conditions remain to generate rotating thunderstorms and drenching rains.

Scattered showers are expected to continue tonight after the remains of the tropical system depart the area.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tornado watch issued for Monroe, Ontario and surrounding counties