Severe weather is possible Wednesday in Oklahoma City

Severe storms are possible in Oklahoma City on Wednesday as a cold front moves into the state, increasing the risk for damaging wind and hail, the National Weather Service reported.

The chance for storms with high winds and hail has increased for central Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon until the early morning hours Thursday. Skies will clear Thursday with winds shifting to the north and a high temperature of 64.

Wednesday storms will start in western Oklahoma where winds could gust 60 mph to 80 mph, said Jennifer Thompson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Norman.

"Damaging wind is the main threat with large hail," Thompson said.

By 3 p.m., a cold front moving into western Oklahoma could increase the risk of hail that could be the size of baseballs in southwestern parts of the state, Thompson said. The risk of a tornado is low, however, she said.

Risks for severe storms in Oklahoma City will increase after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thompson said.