SIDNEY — The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of the Nebraska Panhandle and southeastern Wyoming through 9 p.m. Sunday.

The watch includes the Nebraska counties of Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Keith, Kimball, McPherson, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux. In Wyoming, Goshen, Laramie and Platte counties are also under the watch.

Forecasters say severe thunderstorms are likely this evening, especially across the Panhandle, with the potential for large hail and damaging winds. Scattered storms are expected to develop late this afternoon and continue into the evening hours.

Cooler air is also moving into the region, with temperatures tonight expected to dip near freezing in some sheltered valleys west of the Interstate 25 corridor. Patchy frost is possible.

Looking ahead, thunderstorms are forecast to return Monday afternoon and continue through Wednesday. There is a slight risk of severe weather Tuesday, with more strong storms possible Wednesday.