Thunderstorms with hail and heavy wind gusts are expected in Lawrence today.

The National Weather Service in Topeka said the storms are beginning to enter southwest Douglas County and should affect Lawrence within the hour.

The storms will carry nickel-sized hail and wind gusts between 45 and 50 miles per hour, said NWS meteorologist Jennifer Bowen. They could also bring localized heavy rains and flooding over the next few hours.

There could be more severe storms this afternoon, with the potential for an isolated tornado, though they are likely to affect the area east of Lawrence, Bowen added.