FRANKLIN—The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through late tonight in areas including Southampton County and Franklin.

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Urban and rural areas with poor drainage are particularly vulnerable, according the the release. Rivers and tributaries are expected to rise with the rainfall upstream.

Lyle Alexander, meteorologist with the weather service office in Wakefield, said to expect scattered showers throughout the day that will get better organized through the evening.

He said a thunderstorm could develop this afternoon, but more likely, it would be tonight.

The thunderstorms will bring heavy rainfall, and also strong and possibly severe wind gusts, most of them 30-40 miles per hour. He said isolated wind gusts could reach 60 miles per hour.

Alexander said it is possible that the storm could bring tornadic activity, but that it was not expected at this point.

Highs could reach 75-80, he said.

On Thursday, Alexander said there would be more scattered showers in the morning hours, and a chance for a thunderstorm. By the middle of the afternoon, he said the system should be winding down, though there is a slow moving cold front coming in, and he said that could make the rainfall continue.

If you have to travel, keep an eye on the conditions.