Severe thunderstorm watch in effect

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire Inland Northwest until 8 p.m.

The developing storms may produce damaging wind gusts, large hail possibly the size of a quarter, frequent lightning and very heavy rainfall.

Storms are expected to track from the Columbia Basin and the Blue Mountains north and east across the Palouse and Spokane and Coeur d'Alene areas by mid afternoon.