Tornado watch in effect until 7 p.m. Sunday

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for 41 Wisconsin counties including Marathon, effective until 7 p.m. Sunday.

In a special weather statement, officials warn that severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are possible throughout the afternoon. Although severe storms are possible across the entire central Wisconsin region, the greatest risk is south and east of a line from Wisconsin Rapids to Wausau and north to Iron Mountain, Mich., according to the NWS.

Officials say residents should be ready to move indoors if storms develop or a warning is issued. Boaters should closely monitor weather information and be prepared to get off the water should storms develop.