Syracuse, NY -- A tornado watch is in effect for counties east of Onondaga until 6 p.m. tonight, according to the National Weather Service. The watch stretches from Madison County to the west, across the eastern part of the state and down through New York City, Philadelphia and the entire state of New Jersey, said National Weather Service Hydrologist Michael...
Syracuse, NY -- A tornado watch is in effect for counties east of Onondaga until 6 p.m. tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
The watch stretches from Madison County to the west, across the eastern part of the state and down through New York City, Philadelphia and the entire state of New Jersey, said National Weather Service Hydrologist Michael Schaffner.
» See a map of the tornado watch area
A tornado watch means that conditions are ripe for a tornado, Schaffner said. It does not mean a tornado has been seen. That's a tornado warning, which could also be when a tornado appears likely based on actual weather conditions seen on radar.
The watch was issued because an air mass coming through the eastern states could produce severe weather and rotating winds, a recipe for a tornado, Schaffner said.