(MSC News)--A Tornado Watch is in effect for the local area.

The National Weather Service Monday afternoon issued the watch, which will remain in effect until 10:00 Monday night.

Local Kansas counties included in the watch are Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

In Missouri, local area counties included in the watch are Buchanan, Platte, Holt, and Andrew.

Included Nebraska counties are Nemaha and Richardson.

The Tornado Watch is issued on the first day of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through Friday.

It's held as a time to make preparedness plans for times of actual dangerous weather conditions.