A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 5 p.m. Friday for Central and South Jersey, as intense storms are likely to slice through the area from midday through the afternoon. We’re capping an unsettled week with a flurry of stormy weather Friday and Saturday.

The strong tornado threat Thursday includes Chicago, Milwaukee and a big chunk of central Wisconsin. Evansville, Indiana, is at the heart of Friday’s tornado threat.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch at 10:06 a.m. on Friday in effect until 5 p.m. for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex,