The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of lower Michigan, including Berrien and Cass counties.

According to a message from the weather agency, the watch was issued at 9:15 p.m., and includes the following Michigan counties: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

The watch is scheduled to be in effect until 3 a.m.

According to information from weather.gov, a tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes, usually well in advance of actual severe weather conditions. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches.