Douglas County and the surrounding area has been placed under a tornado watch until 11 p.m. The National Weather Service in Topeka issued the watch about 3:25 p.m.

Most of northeastern and north central Kansas is under the watch.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop, primarily south and east of the Kansas Turnpike, the weather service said.

There is a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon and a 70 percent chance this evening, according to the weather service forecast.