A torando watch has been issued and damaging winds are expected this afternoon in St. Lawrence County, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters have ramped up the warnings in recent hours and are now telling residents to expect trees and powerlines to be knocked down as winds around 40 mph come from the east. Gusts are expected to reach 60 mph.

Ayone attending outdoor events scheduled for this afternoon, should check with organizers to ensure they have not been canceled.

The primary threat will be damaging winds capable of knocking down trees and power lines.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop over Northern New York around noon and track eastward into Vermont during the late afternoon and early evening.

Brief heavy rainfall and frequent lightning is expected with thunderstorm activity.

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a southwest wind 16 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 2am. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind 11 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between noon and 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 13 to 15 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Light west wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Light and variable wind.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph.