Beaufort and Jasper Counties are under a tornado watch, weather service says

The National Weather Service in Charleston issued a Tornado Watch at 5:30 p.m. Thursday for Beaufort and Jasper Counties, according to its website.

The watch will remain in effect until midnight Friday.

Tornado watches mean conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area, the website says.

“During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move to an area of safety if threatening weather occurs,” the website says.

Possible tornadoes, isolated hail up to the size of a quarter and scattered wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour are possible with the storm, an advisory from the weather service says.

Downed trees and power lines could be possible, the weather service warns.

The warning stretches from northern Florida to the Charleston, S.C., area.

Beaufort and Jasper county school districts both announced they would close schools early because of the anticipated weather.