Severe thunderstorms, with potential for tornadoes, are forecast to persist overnight throughout metro Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding communities.

A tornado watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of northeast and southwest Georgia through 4 a.m. Sunday.

A number of Metro Atlanta counties have been placed under watch. The residents of Fulton, Clayton, Rockdale, Henry, Paulding, Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Spalding, Coweta, Forsyth, Fayette, Hall, and Douglas counties are asked to remain cautious as the storm system passes through the area.

North Georgia areas have already experienced severe weather, and some residents have already taken shelter prior to midnight. Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Gilmer, and Fannin counties were under tornado warning.

(This is a developing story.)