ATLANTA - Forecasters have issued a tornado watch for several areas of northwestern Georgia.

The advisory issued by the National Weather Service on Monday covers Catoosa, Murray, Dade, Walker and Whitfield counties. The tornado watch is expected to expire at 1 a.m.

Forecasters say a system of severe thunderstorms could drench some areas of the state in between 3 and 5 inches of rain. Authorities have said isolated tornadoes and hail are also possible in some areas.

A separate advisory warns of the potential for flash flooding in rivers, creeks and streams throughout Georgia.