The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m. today for the Ann Arbor area.

The watch includes 17 counties in southeast Michigan, including Washtenaw and Livingston.

A watch means conditions are right for severe thunderstorms to form. The weather service said storms could bring wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail up to an inch in diameter. The primary window for storms is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The forecast for today says showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon, and heavy rain is possible. Radar at 1:20 p.m. showed storms to the west if Ann Arbor in Jackson and Hillsdale counties.

For updated forecasts and weather conditions, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.