Tornado Watch In Effect For New Haven County

Story updated at 5:22 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for New Haven County until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The tornado watch is in effect for a broad area of the east coast including parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, western Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, southeast New York, southeast Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and the adjacent coastal waters, the National Weather Service said. 

"A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornados and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area," the NWS said. "Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings."

As of early evening on Wednesday most of the worst of the storm appeared to be centered in the Springfield, MA area.

At 4:35 p.m., local law enforcement authorities in Westfield, MA reported a tornado in the Shaker Road area of that town. Amateur radio operators also report a tornado near Springfield moving east at 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service. As of 5 p.m., that particular storm system appeared to be moving east from the Springfield area, according to the NWS. The Springfield television station WWPL-22 had photos of some of the damage.

As of 5:20 p.m., Madison was under a tornado watch. 

John Bowers, Madison's Director of Emergency Management said if the watch turns into a warning, that Madison residents should determine where they will go if the weather becomes threatening.

"The best place for most people in Madison to ride out a tornado is their own basements," he said. "In the event that the home does not have a basement, they should go to the central-most room in their homes, away from windows and corners."

The watch was issued around 1 p.m. Wednesday and will run until 8 p.m. "Tornadoes, hail to two inches in diameter, thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph and dangerous lightning are possible in these areas," the NWS said.

The NWS said the watch area is approximately along, and 75 statute miles east and west of, a line from 10 miles south/southwest of Philadelphia, PA to 35 miles northwest of Augusta, ME.

"Scattered thunderstorms will continue to intensify over portions of Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania and track eastward across portions of New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey through the afternoon. A very unstable air mass has  developed across this region ... " the NWS said.

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado watch is issued "when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Their size can vary depending on the weather situation. They are usually issued for a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches."

For the most up-to-the-minute information, please check the National Weather Service website.

Around 5 p.m., a heavy thunderstorm affected the Madison area and moved through fairly quickly. The NWS said there may be additional storms later in the evening, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

"Lightning is one of nature's number one killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter immediately," the NWS said.