Tornado watch issued for Portage, Stark, Summit counties; other weather watches in effect

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of the region, including Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties, until 8 p.m. Saturday.

A couple of tornados are possible in the area, with wind expected to reach up to 70 mph. Hail up to a quarter size could fall, the NWS said.

Summit and Medina counties were under a strong thunderstorm warning until 1:15 p.m. Saturday, with wind reaching up to 50 mph. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for northern Portage County until 8 p.m.

Storms and showers are expected to clear the area by this evening.

Most of Northeast Ohio, including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties, is also under a flood watch until 8 p.m. Saturday, along with portions of northwest Pennsylvania.

Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Tornado watch issued for Portage, Stark, Summit counties; other weather watches in effect