Most of eastern North Carolina is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. tonight. According to the National Weather Service, a strong cold front is moving into the area from the west and as the front approaches the chances of severe weather go up exponentially. Strong to severe storms are expected this afternoon and evening, tapering off in the early morning hours. Overnight the temperature is predicted to drop to the upper 60s/lower 70s.

Because of the tornado watch, all after school activities for Beaufort County Schools have been canceled. This does not include after school care programs at Chocowinity Primary School, Eastern Elementary School and John Cotten Tayloe Elementary School.

Counties under a tornado watch until tonight are: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Greene, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Onslow, Pamlico, Pitt, Tyrrell, and Washington.