UPDATE: A new line of strong to severe storms is moving towards Rowan County from the mountains. The tornado watch has been extended to 8 p.m.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued at tornado watch today, effective to 5 p.m. A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of tornados.

The watch includes all of the counties surrounding Rowan as well as locations to our east and west.

Heavy rains with a strong line of thunderstorms could cause street flooding and well as flooding of small creeks and streams.

Be sure to monitor the weather this afternoon and be alert to any warnings.

You should be prepared for severe weather today, especially this afternoon, as a line of heavy rain and thunderstorms moves across the mountains and into our area.

The main threat is damaging winds, with the possibility of dangerous straight-line winds or tornados. In addition, heavy rain and flash flooding are a possibility.

The chance of showers and thunderstorms today is 90 percent, with thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Winds will be south at 15-17 mph, with gusts of 31 mph. Three quarters to an inch of rainfall is possible. The high will be 74.

Tonight has a 60 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms before 1 a.m. It will be mostly cloudy and 49. Winds will be south southwest at 14-16 mph, gusting to 28 mph. A quarter to half inch of rain is possible tonight.

Saturday will have a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy and 59, and winds will still be a factor. South southwest wind will be at 13-15 mph, with gusts to 23 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch is expected.

Saturday night will have a 20 percent chance of showers, with a low of 43 and mostly cloudy skies. Southwest wind will be at 6-10 mph.

Easter Sunday will be mostly sunny and 66, with west northwest wind at 6-9 mph. Sunday night will be clear and 46.

Monday will be sunny and 77. The low will be 54, with mostly clear skies.

Tuesday will be sunny and very warm, with a high of 81. It will be a partly cloudy night, with a low of 57.

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible Wednesday, but it will be mostly sunny and 80. The same chance of showers and storms is possible Wednesday night, with a low of 58.

Thursday will e partly sunny and 78, with a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms.