Strong storms passed to the north of the Lawrence area and a tornado was spotted on the ground near Kansas City International Airport late this afternoon, according to 6News meteorologists.

The Lawrence area was under a tornado watch from about 3:35 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Douglas, Jefferson and Franklin counties were among those counties included in the watch area.

Latest forecast Weather radar

Tim Reith, 6News meteorolgist, said at 5:55 p.m. that most of the severe weather has been to the north and east of the Lawrence area since storm cells began firing up about 4:30 p.m.

Reith said there had been a tornado warning for northern Leavenworth County and a severe thunderstorm warning for Wyandotte and southeast Leavenworth County as a storm system passed through.

“They had golf ball-sized hail reported for some of these storms,” Reith said. “All of the tornadic activity has stayed off to the east by the Kansas City area.”

Reith said a pilot reported a tornado was on the ground north of Kansas City International Airport, north of Kansas City, Mo. The KCI tower was shut down and evacuated, he said.

For the Lawrence area, there were some indications that storms were forming in the Baldwin area, but would possibly move to the east before they produced any high winds or hail.

For more weather updates, tune in to 6News on Sunflower Broadband’s channel 6.