OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Severe storms that may produce tornadoes are forecast for much of Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas.

The National Weather Service said the storms are expected to begin developing in Oklahoma about 3 p.m. Monday and continue through midnight. The weather service says tornadoes are possible and baseball-sized hail is expected with the storms.

The weather service said strong southerly winds are pushing moisture into the region that will combine with surface heating in western Oklahoma to produce the unstable conditions.

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Michelann Ooten says the agency is monitoring the weather. She says agency officials are talking with local emergency management directors statewide to be ready to respond if needed.

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