Several Columbus-area counties under tornado watch as Saturday thunderstorms approach

Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read

Severe thunderstorms are expected to roll through central Ohio on Saturday, with the National Weather Service warning of the possibility of high winds and hail as three northern central Ohio counties are under a tornado watch.

A storm expected to travel through central Ohio beginning late Saturday morning and continue into the evening may produce severe thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service Wilmington office. Damaging winds will be the primary threat, but hail is also a possibility.

Union, Delaware and Licking counties are under tornado watches as of 1 p.m. Saturday, according to the weather service.

The weather service is alerting much of central and southwestern Ohio that they could be in the path of the severe weather, which was graded as "slight risk" by the agency.

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What is the difference between a watch and a warning?

According to the National Weather Service:

  • A watch "is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible."

  • A warning "is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action."

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus-area counties under tornado watch as Saturday storms approach