Tornado Watch Issued for Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska Until Midnight

A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska until midnight CDT Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The watch includes areas around Des Moines, Ames, Carroll, Atlantic and Creston in Iowa, as well as Omaha, Lincoln and Beatrice in Nebraska. A small portion of northwestern Missouri is also included.

Tornadoes, Large Hail and Damaging Winds Possible

Forecasters said a couple of tornadoes are possible within the watch area. Severe thunderstorms could also produce hail up to two inches in diameter and damaging wind gusts reaching 80 mph.

Approximately 2.3 million people are located within the watch area.

Residents should monitor weather alerts and be ready to move into a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor if a Tornado Warning is issued. A watch means tornadoes are possible, while a warning means an immediate threat has been detected.