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.

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

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

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.

On Monday's Texas Weather Live, FOX 4's Dylan Federico, Ali Turiano and Dan Henry discuss a Tornado Watch in place across our region. Where you should go to stay safe during a storm and a look at what the Storm Prediction Center's warning levels mean.

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.