Central Pennsylvania residents should prepare for a potentially dangerous weather evening, with a flash flood watch in effect and a high risk of severe thunderstorms bringing heavy rainfall and possible damaging winds across east central Pennsylvania.

A severe thunderstorm warning for Allegheny, Westmoreland and Indiana counties has been extended until 6:45 p.m. A warning for Washington County continues until 7 p.m. The National Weather Service also said there is a flash flood warning for Allegheny and Washington counties until 8:45 p.

The watch issued Thursday afternoon includes Berks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northumberland, Philadelphia and Schuylkill counties.