A tornado warning — since cancelled — was issued this afternoon in portions of southern Douglas County as radar indicated a severe thunderstorm about 13 miles west of Ottawa capable of producing a tornado.

The warning, also issued for Franklin and Osage counties, was issued at 5:23 p.m. A funnel was spotted about seven miles northwest of Ottawa shortly afterwards, accompanied by tennis-ball sized hail.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch this afternoon for much of eastern Kansas, including Lawrence, which remains in effect through 8 p.m.

Rain will continue tonight, with heavy rains and pea to marble-sized hail possible. The area rainfall today has exceeded an inch in most areas.