A few tornadoes, along with widespread, apple-size hail and gusts up to 70 mph, are likely as severe thunderstorms sweep into the Kansas City area.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of the Kansas City metro ahead of a strong line of storms expected to impact the area Monday afternoon.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - The Storm Prediction Center issued a Tornado Watch for much of the Ozarks for Monday. The watch lasts until 9 p.m. It includes these counties: The KY3 First Alert Weather team is tracking the potential for dangerous tornadoes Monday evening and into the night. All modes of severe weather are possible.

Breaking: Sequoya Quinton reports live sighting of a large tornado near Kiowa power plant. Caution advised in the area. Live updates.

A Tornado Watch is now in effect for areas along and west of Hwy. 65. This includes Springfield. The watch runs through 9 pm. Additional watches will likely be issued for areas further east later

A strong storm system will move through the region Monday and bring the threat for more rain and severe weather.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tornado Watch for the entire Kansas City area until 9 p.m. Monday.

In what has historically been known as Tornado Alley — a designation that typically includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas — the peak of tornado season is May into early June. But the season starts earlier in what's often called Dixie Alley, made up of southern states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.