The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the area through Saturday night.

The watch is in place for Bergen, Essex, Union, Passaic and Hudson counties until 9 p.m., according to a weather advisory.

Forecasts say showers and thunderstorms are possible, with a quarter and half of an inch of rain possible.

A tornado watch means a tornado could form, but is not imminent.

“They normally are issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. During the watch, people should review tornado safety rules and be prepared to move a place of safety if threatening weather approaches,” according to the National Weather Service.