HEAT ADVISORY Click county for more information: Creek, Nowata, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner, Washington        

Thunderstorms developed this morning over western Oklahoma and the Panhandle, and will expand across most of the state this afternoon and tonight.

Heavy rain is predicted in parts of western, central and especially southeastern Oklahoma, according to the National Weather Service. Severe weather and flooding are possible locally.

A flash flood watch is effective through Thursday morning for McCurtain County.

A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding. A flash flood is usually the result of heavy or excessive amounts of rainfall within a short period of time, usually less than 6 hours, causing water to rise and fall quite rapidly.

Forecasters said dry and mid weather will return by the end of the week.

Highs statewide today will be from the mid-60s to mid-70s. On Thursday, highs will be from the 60s to lower 70s.

The temperature in Oklahoma City at 1 p.m. today was 70 degrees. Northeasterly winds were 20 mph.

In Tulsa, the temperature was 67 degrees. Northerly winds were 10 mph.

Oklahoma forecast

• Today: Highs from the upper 50s to mid-70s. Rain and thunderstorms likely.

• Tonight: Lows from the lower 40s to mid-60s. Occasional rain and thunderstorms.

• Thursday: Highs from the mid-60s to lower 70s. Chance of rain and thunderstorms.

Oklahoma City-area forecast

• Rest of today: Mostly Cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Northeasterly winds 10 to 15 mph. Seventy percent chance of thunderstorms.

• Tonight: Lows about 50. Northerly winds 10 to 15 mph. Widespread rain and thunderstorms.

• Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Northerly winds 10 to 15 mph. Twenty percent chance of thunderstorms.