Severe thunderstorm watch issued for part of Upstate NY; 75 mph ...

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The odds of thunderstorms carrying winds up to 75 mph is increasing this afternoon in Upstate New York.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Capital Region, Catskills and Hudson Valley. The watch is in effect until 8 p.m.

A watch means that the conditions are right in the atmosphere for severe storms to develop, but it doesn’t mean everyone will see storms. A severe storm is defined as one with at least 58 mph wind gusts and/or hail 1-inch in diameter or greater.

The best chances for severe storms will be east of I-81, the weather service said, although scattered and less damaging storms are possible across the state.

Rain has already started falling along the Southern Tier, and the weather service expects storms to intensify as the system moves east and encounters hotter air in the afternoon.

For Friday, heat advisories will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. for counties along Lake Ontario, the Capital Region, and the Hudson and Mohawk valleys. A cold front will bring cooler weather for the weekend and next week.