Tornado watch issued across Ohio and Midwest: Full list of affected counties and safety tips

A tornado watch has been issued across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley as severe weather threatens multiple states, with meteorologists warning of possible tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the watch was issued ahead of storms expected to move through the region beginning Thursday evening, March 26.

Tornado watch issued across four states

The alert covers Ohio, far western New York, parts of Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia. According to forecasters, scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to intensify through the late afternoon and evening hours.


Primary threats include a couple of tornadoes; scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts of 80 mph are likely; and scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events of 2 inches in diameter are likely.

Tornado watch Ohio: Affected areas

The tornado watch for Ohio includes dozens of counties under monitoring until 11 p.m. local time. These include Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Guernsey, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Morrow, Muskingum, Ottawa, Paulding, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Wayne, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot.

Pennsylvania counties under tornado watch

Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington, and Westmoreland counties are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. local time.

West Virginia counties under tornado watch

Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio counties are under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. local time, as per the NWS.

New York counties under tornado watch

Only one tornado watch went into New York. It was issued for Ripley, New York, and would remain in place until 11 p.m. local time.

What is a Tornado watch?

Tornado Watches are issued when conditions are favorable for Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and around the watch area. The NWS suggests that people in these areas be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and watch for later statements. and potential warnings.

What is a tornado warning?

A tornado warning is a more serious alert, indicating that a tornado is either happening or is about to happen, and you should take shelter immediately.

How do you stay safe during a tornado?

During a tornado, the National Weather Service recommends:

• Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
  
• Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.
  
• Avoid windows.
  

What should you do if you're driving during a tornado warning?

If you're driving, especially on interstates or highways, do not try to outrun a tornado - they can move quickly and change direction without warning. If a tornado warning is in effect, look for ways to safely leave the road and get out of your vehicle. The safest option is to seek shelter in a sturdy building.

If no building is available, avoid taking cover under a highway overpass. While it might seem protective, overpasses can act as wind tunnels, increasing wind speed and the risk of injury.
Instead, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch, or culvert and cover your head with your arms.