A Severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio counties through 9 p.m. Friday evening.

No severe weather is occurring as of 3 p.m. locally but storms are expected to increase from the north by late afternoon/evening ahead of an approaching cold front.

A few storms will be capable of producing locally damaging wind gusts and large hail, with this being most likely in the watch area.

Further south storms may not reach Charleston and Huntington until closer to sundown or thereafter.

Storms will tend to be weaker by that time but could still produce frequent lightning and a 30-40 minute downpour that could delay outdoor events in the mid-evening.

Storms will exit to the south overnight with some areas of fog developing.