SIDNEY, Neb. — The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of western Nebraska, effective until 11 p.m. Sunday.

The watch includes the counties of Arthur, Box Butte, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hayes, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Sheridan and Thomas.

Forecasters say scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening across the Nebraska Panhandle, where a slight risk for severe weather is in place. Threats include the potential for a couple of tornadoes, hail up to the size of apples and isolated wind gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour.

Cooler temperatures and scattered showers are expected to move in overnight as a cold front passes through the area. Scattered shower and thunderstorm chances will linger into midweek, with a brief clearing and warming trend forecast toward the end of the week.

The National Weather Service reports the potential exposure within the watch area includes more than 120,000 residents, 178 schools and 15 hospitals.