Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m.

By NEWS 9 Meteorologist Carrie Rose

A cold front is moving through the state Thursday, bringing much cooler air and northwest winds still gusting to around 30 mph. 

Late Thursday afternoon, the cold front extended approximately along I-35 through central Oklahoma, with temperatures falling into the 40s and 50s behind the front. 

Showers and thunderstorms formed along the front this afternoon.  Some of the stronger storms could become severe with large hail and damaging winds.  A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday night for parts of central and south-central Oklahoma.

As the front progresses eastward through the evening, the line of storms will go with it.  Movement of this line should be fast enough to prevent widespread flooding problems, but heavy rain can expected with any of these storms. 

Most of the thunderstorms and the severe threat will move into the eastern third of the state tonight.  Hail and damaging winds will be the primary threat.

Most of the wind gusts in the state are lower Thursday than they have been in the past several, very windy days.  The Panhandle still had gusts to near 60 mph behind the cold front, though.  Elsewhere, most gusts have remained in the 30-40 mph range.

Winds will be weaker Friday and Saturday, remaining in the 10 to 20 mph range.  Sunday, winds will kick into gear again at 15 to 30 mph. 

Stay with NEWS 9 and News9.com, we'll keep you advised.