Mecklenburg and its surrounding counties are under a tornado watch until 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, according to the National Weather Service. Among the other North Carolina counties included in the watch: Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties, forecasters say.

Strong to severe storms are likely across portions of central Alabama late this evening and into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Damaging winds are the primary threat, but a tornado and/or large hail is also possible.

A tornado watch was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 10:57 p.m. in effect until Sunday at 4 a.m. for DeKalb, Jackson, Madison and Marshall counties.