ITHACA, N.Y. — Hazardous weather, including thunderstorms, strong winds and possible hail, are forecast for late this afternoon. A tornado watch has also been issued for the area.

According to the National Weather Service, the storms will hit the area around 4 p.m. and the worst of it is expected to last through early Wednesday morning.

A tornado watch is expected to be in place until 9 p.m., meaning that weather conditions are favorable for tornado development.

According to Finger Lakes Weather, “A widespread, significant severe weather event will likely unfold this afternoon across the Finger Lakes. This will rival May 1 for the largest severe weather event of the year.”

 is providing live updates on the Finger Lakes Weather website that are keeping an eyes on developments throughout the Finger Lakes area. See his updates here.

Jolene Almendarez is Managing Editor at The Ithaca Voice. She can be reached at jalmendarez@ithacavoice.com; you can learn more about her at the links in the top right of this box.