The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch that covers 20 northeast Colorado counties.

The watch will be in effect until 10:00 p.m. Thursday and includes portions of Wyoming and Nebraska. Severe storms capable of producing a tornado may form in the area.

Storms could also produce very large hail - up to the size of chicken eggs - and wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour. Heavy rain and flash flooding are also possible.

Colorado counties included in the watch include

• Adams
• Arapahoe
• Boulder
• Broomfield
• Cheyenne
• Denver
• Douglas
• Elbert
• El Paso
• Jefferson
• Kit Carson
• Larimer
• Lincoln
• Logan
• Morgan
• Phillips
• Sedgwick
• Washington
• Weld
• Yuma

Tornado Safety Tips

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, consider these safety tips

• Avoid windows
• Go to a basement and use a sturdy table or mattress for protection
• If a basement is not available, go to a central, windowless room on the lowest level
• Mobile homes / manufactured home are NOT safe, even if tied down - go to a shelter
• Vehicles are not safe in a tornado - go to a shelter
• If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a sturdy building if possible - if not available, lie flat on the ground, use your arms to cover your head, and stay far away from trees