A tornado watch for Rowan, Cabarrus, Union and Mecklenberg counties has been issued until 9 p.m.

Conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes.

A line of severe storms with heavy rain, frequent lightning and damaging winds is predicted to move through our area over the next hour.

Precautions should be taken to prepare for possible storms. Do not drive on area roads. Find a sturdy building and listen to weather radio for the latest information.

Today’s 80 percent chance of rain includes showers and thunderstorms, some of which could become severe. The highest risks are damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and an isolated tornado. The heaviest storms will pass through the area this afternoon and evening.

Patchy fog could form this morning between 9 and 10 a.m. The high will be 72, with south southeast wind at 6-11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph or higher in thunderstorms. A quarter to half inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, most storms will be before 8 p.m. but showers and a stray storm are possible throughout the night, with any storm having the potential to become severe. Patchy fog is expected between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.  The low will be 60, with more south southeast winds at 14-16 mph, gusting up to 29 mph. The chance of rain is 80 percent, with a half to three-quarters of an inch of rain possible.

Tuesday will be a complete turnaround, sunny and near 80. West southwest winds will be around 14 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph. Tuesday night will be clear, with a low of 52.

The chance of rain returns Wednesday, with a partly sunny morning, then a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms from about 1 p.m. on. Wind will be south southwest at 5-8 mph.

The same chance of rain lasts through the night, with showers and thunderstorms throughout. Any of these storms could also be severe as a cold front moves through. The low will be 55.

Thursday’s chance of showers is 40 percent, mostly before 3 p.m. It will be partly sunny and 67. Thursday night will be partly cloudy, with a low of 42.

Friday will be mostly sunny, but cooler, with a high of 59 and a low of 38.

Saturday should be sunny, with a high of 63 and a low of 39.

And Sunday, Palm Sunday, will be sunny and near 70.