Scott County is under a flash-flood watch from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen.

Other counties in the watch include Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Ramsey, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, Washington and Watonwan. In Wisconsin, Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk and St. Croix counties are affected.

From Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon, periods of thunderstorms are expected across the watch area. Torrential rains are possible with the storms, especially Wednesday night, said the weather service.

Runoff from the rainfall may lead to rising rivers and creeks and flooding of low lying areas and poorly drained areas.

A flash-flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a dangerous situation.

Members of the public are advised to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash-flood warnings be issued.