SIDNEY -- The Sidney area is under a Thunderstorm watch. Rain and hail started about 7 p.m. tonight in the Sidney area, resulting in localized flooding. 

The National Weather Service reported scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are likely again today. Some storms may be capable of producing damaging winds and/or large hail. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy rain is also expected with these storms. 

The watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. tonight. 

Counties affected by the watch include Dawes County-Box Butte County-Scotts Bluff County-Banner County- Morrill County-Kimball County-Cheyenne County- Northern Sioux County-Southern Sioux County- Converse County Lower Elevations-Niobrara County- North Laramie Range-Ferris/Seminoe/Shirley Mountains- Shirley Basin-Central Laramie Range and Southwest Platte County- East Platte County-Goshen County-Central Carbon County- North Snowy Range Foothills-Southwest Carbon County- Sierra Madre Range-Upper North Platte River Basin-Snowy Range- Laramie Valley-South Laramie Range-South Laramie Range Foothills- Central Laramie County-East Laramie County.