Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Kerr County until 1 p.m.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 185 for Kerr County and 22 surrounding counties Wednesday morning, in effect until 1 p.m. CDT.

The watch covers a broad stretch of the Hill Country and Central Texas, including Bandera, Blanco, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble and Real counties, along with I-35 corridor counties Travis, Hays, Comal, Bell and Williamson.

Forecasters are giving a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms through early afternoon, with some storms capable of producing severe weather. Skies will become partly sunny by afternoon, with a high near 86. Winds will be calm through the morning, shifting northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

A watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms. A warning means a storm is occurring or imminent — residents should take shelter immediately if one is issued.

The threat largely passes by Wednesday evening. Mostly cloudy skies are expected overnight with a low around 61.

Additional storm chances return Thursday, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Temperatures will drop significantly, with a high near 70 and north-northeast winds of 10 to 15 mph gusting up to 20 mph.