The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Lawrence area through noon Thursday because heavy rains are expected tonight as thunderstorms roll through.

Douglas and Franklin counties are both in the flood watch, which includes portions of east central Kansas. The weather service predicts rains from one to three inches in areas where the ground is already saturated from previous rains.

That could create flash flooding along and southeast of the Kansas Turnpike, according to the weather service.

At 4:20 p.m., the temperature at Lawrence Municipal Airport was 77, the humidity level was 85 percent and winds were out of the southeast at 12 mph

Jennifer Schack, 6News meteorologist, said today’s high temperatures will top out at 80 degrees by late afternoon.

“Tonight, heavy rain is possible with the temperature dropping off to 70,” Schack said. Thursday’s afternoon high will be 85, she said.

“I think we’ll see the precipitation last through about the midday, and then maybe some sunshine by late on Thursday,” she said.

Friday’s morning temperature will start at 71 degrees, with the high reaching 86 degrees on Friday afternoon.

Schack said a cold front will arrive on Friday, bringing another possibility of more scattered thunderstorms on Friday night.