TALLAHASSEE — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Lafayette County and 16 other North Florida and South Georgia counties.

The tornado watch is in effect until 11 a.m.

This is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area.

A wind advisory has also been issued for the entire Suwannee River Valley area from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds greater than 25 mph are expected for at least an hour, with gusts of 35 to 57 mph at any time.

According to advisories from the National Weather Service, severe storms are expected to sweep through the region late this morning through late afternoon, although it is expected to pass through Lafayette, Suwannee and Hamilton counties between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wind gusts of 50-70 miles per hour are possible and there could be isolated tornadoes within the squall line.

The NWS has the region in the enhanced stage for severe weather in which numerous severe storms are possible.