A tornado watch is in effect for Worth and Winnebago counties in Iowa, in addition to several other counties in northern and northeastern Iowa. Another tornado watch covers Mower, Fillmore and Houston counties in Minnesota.

The tornado watches are in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday. The watches were issued by the National Weather Service. Severe thunderstorms were expected north of U.S. Highway 20 across much of the watch area Wednesday afternoon and were expected to move quickly out of the area by this evening. Additional thunderstorms are expected Thursday.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for southern Blue Earth County until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The compact storm dropping quarter-size hail is expected to travel eastward.