Tornado sirens began sounding this afternoon in Shawnee County with one tornado reportedly touching down near Alma, Kan., about 40 miles west of Topeka.

As of 3:45 p.m., the area west of Lawrence was under immediate threat of severe weather, such as hail or tornadoes.

There was a string of strong storms developing north of Lawrence, which could produce funnel clouds.

According to the National Weather Service, funnel clouds were spotted about 6 miles west of Valley Falls. The NWS issued a tornado warning for northern Jefferson County until 4 p.m., covering Ozawkie, Nortonville, Denison, Meriden, Valley Falls and Perry Lake.

A tornado warning was also issued in Shawnee County, including northwest Topeka.

Jennifer Schack, 6News chief meteorologist, said the storms north of Lawrence didn’t pose immediate danger to Lawrence unless the system starts moving south.

If that doesn’t happen, less severe rainfall is still possible in Lawrence this afternoon and tonight.