Tuesday's predicted thunderstorms have escalated to a tornado watch. The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Colorado Springs and El Paso County, and most of the eastern part of the state, until 7 p.m. Eastern El Paso County is likely to see the worst of it, the service said, warning of hail up to two inches in diameter, wind gusts of 60 mph, lightning, heavy rain and "possibly a tornado." Thunderstorms are expected to diminish after midnight, it said. The service has also issued a flash flood watch for a portion of northeast Colorado, where heavy rainfall is expected. Read more on Colorado Springs Gazette