Watch Information By State:

SOUTH DAKOTA
MINNESOTA
IOWA
NEBRASKA

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center issues summer time severe weather watches when dangerous weather is imminent or expected.

A TORNADO WATCH means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop or move through the watch area.  Large hail (3/4 inch in diameter) and damaging wind (58 mph or greater) could also accompany any tornado-producing storms.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop or move into the watch area.  Dime size hail (3/4 inch diameter) or larger and/or damaging wind (58 mph or greater) are possible in severe thunderstorm watch areas.