The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch Wednesday afternoon for Mower County until 1 a.m.

NWS meteorologists are calling for the heat index to push up to between 95 and 100 degrees Wednesday, with thunderstorms expected to develop in late afternoon to early evening. Some of these storms could produce severe winds and hail, though Austin still has a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms Wednesday night into Thursday.

There could be isolated severe thunderstorms Thursday as well, though hail is expected to be the major threat in those storms. There’s a chance of thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday morning, but no severe weather is expected.