The National Weather Service has lifted a tornado watch issued for Douglas, Jefferson and Franklin counties Wednesday afternoon. Storms were still expected and a flash flood warning remained in effect Wednesday evening.

The weather service warned of possible localized flooding as severe thunderstorms move into the area from the southwest this afternoon. Heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds are possible as the storms grow stronger and move east this evening. The storms could drop as much as three inches of rain, the weather service said, and there is a 40 percent chance of large hail, possibly including hail stones the size of quarters.

As the storms pass, the weather is expected to cool over the next two days, according to the weather service. High temperatures on Thursday will likely be in the high 40s, with freezing temperatures at night before skies clear and temperatures climb into the 60s over the weekend.