WWUS9 KMKC 181857 SEL4 MKC WW 181853 NJZ000-NYZ000-PAZ000-190000- URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 304 STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 253 PM EDT THU MAY 18 2000 THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EXTREME NORTHERN NEW JERSEY SOUTHERN AND EASTERN NEW YORK CENTRAL AND EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA EFFECTIVE THIS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 315 PM UNTIL 800 PM EDT. HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 60 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 35 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF DUBOIS PENNSYLVANIA TO 35 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF ALBANY NEW YORK. REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.