Fayette and surrounding counties are still under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City.

That means that weather conditions in this area will be favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms, possibly including isolated tornadoes.

A “watch” differs from a “warning” in that a watch talks about possibilities while a warning means that an actual tornado has been detected or spotted.

Following is the text of the NWS alert:

“Scattered severe thunderstorms will be possible late this afternoon and evening across parts of north and central Georgia.

“Synopsis: A wedge of cool and stable air near the surface will retreat northward as a warm front by early afternoon as a cold front approaches from the west. The cold front is expected to push into northwest Georgia by this evening, then across central Georgia during the overnight hours.

“Primary hazards: The primary hazards from thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will be large hail, damaging winds and cloud-to-ground lightning. Moderate wind shear profiles in the low levels also suggest the potential for isolated tornadoes.

“The main threat appears to be generally west of an Americus to Macon to Gainesville to Blue Ridge line, and between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight.

“Discussion: A cool wedge of high pressure over north and central Georgia is eroding as low levels winds gradually become southerly ahead of an approaching cold front. The warm, moist southerly winds, coupled with daytime heating, will increase area instabilities and help generate scattered thunderstorms along and ahead of a cold front that will push into northwest Georgia by late afternoon or early evening.

“Moderate instabilities ... coupled with added forcing from a 40 to 50 knot low level jet could be sufficient to support the development of isolated strong to severe thunderstorms.

“The primary threat may come from a squall line that develops just ahead of the cold front and moves into north and central Georgia during the evening hours. However, this threat could be preceded by a few isolated or discrete storms that develop ahead of the squall line, especially during the late afternoon and early evening hours.”