A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for nearly all of Virginia

A new Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for all of central Virginia until 8 PM, extending past this morning's watch for southwest Virginia (which remains in effect until 5 PM). Threats from any severe storms this afternoon and early evening will include damaging wind gusts to 70 mph, large hail the size of ping pong balls, and frequent lightning.

The severe threat in Virginia is part of a broad system that will likely produce a significant severe outbreak, particularly in the nation's heartland. Here is the updated severe risk map for the eastern U.S., with a continued rare High Risk over parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

We will be closely monitoring our severe threat this afternoon and evening. Stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for part of Virginia

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 5 PM for southwest Virginia into Buckingham, Appomattox, and Charlotte Counties. Threats from any severe storms that develop include damaging wind gusts to 70 mph and large hail up to 1.5" in diameter (ping pong size).

Watches may be issued into the rest of central Virginia as the day and evening progresses because we, like a large chunk of the country, are under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. It will be very hot into the upper 80s and low 90s this afternoon, and humid as well. Here's the map with the Slight Risk in yellow, a Moderate Risk in orange, and a rare High Risk in red over the heart of Tornado Alley (Oklahoma and Kansas):

It's the orange and red areas in the Heartland that have the potential for a significant tornado outbreak this afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, this covers some of the same areas that were hard-hit this weekend and yesterday with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes...including devastated Joplin, Missouri from Sunday. Stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.