Tornado Watch Issued For Rhode Island

Officials are warning that Rhode Island may be getting a dose of severe weather this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather advisory for the state as well as a tornado watch starting at 4 p.m.

A tornado watch has been issued for Kent County and Providence County. Officials are requesting trained weather spotters to watch out for conditions that "reach reportable criteria" and contact the National Weather Service.

In Middletown, a separate severe weather advisory has been issued for possible hail and lightning today. Hail fell briefly around 9:30 a.m. this morning.

A cold front from New York could result in thunderstorms this afternoon and into the early evening, with damaging winds and large hail being the primary threats. The greatest chance of these strong storm systems will be in the more inland areas of the state.

The watch will be in effect until 8 p.m.