The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, and Wayne counties in New York state until 11 p.m.
A tornado watch indicates that a tornado is probable, as opposed to a warning, which indicates that a tornado is impending.
Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orleans, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Wyoming, and Yates are also included in the watch.
Original story: The Genesee Valley Region, which encompasses Monroe, Orleans, Wayne, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, and Allegany counties, is expected to experience dangerous temperatures and perhaps severe thunderstorms on Thursday.
A heat alert has already been issued by the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
According to meteorologist Dave Zaff, the air temperature might reach 91 degrees today, but the heat index — how hot it feels when the air temperature is mixed with relative humidity — could approach 100.
"This afternoon, around 2 to 4 p.m., it's going to be really terrible," he said.
Thunderstorms are expected to follow, with the potential for severe weather.
It's possible to see lightning, heavy rain, and wind gusts of more than 58 mph.
A single tornado isn't out of the question, he added, though the odds of one forming are slim.
The storms will dissipate in the evening, and temperatures will drop, he said.
On Friday, it should be colder, less humid, and windy. While thunderstorms are expected on Friday, he says they are unlikely to be severe.
In a statement, New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric said they are watching weather forecasts and have staff and equipment on standby in the event of downed power lines and power outages.
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