The same storm that is delivering "crippling" amounts of ice and snow just to our north, could bring a round of strong thunderstorms to parts of the state this evening.
Conditions appear to be coming together for the possibility of severe weather across portions of Central Florida early this evening. A powerful winter storm is already crippling much of Georgia and South Carolina with significant ice and snow accumulations, and the same cold front associated with this system will swing through the state later today. A line of thunderstorms ahead of it will have the potential to produce wind damage, small hail, and even an isolated tornado or two. The front will clear the peninsula by daybreak and Thursday will be calm, although much colder.
REGIONAL IMPACTS
Listed in order of north to south…
NORTHEAST FLORIDA (WJCT)
• Heavy rain primarily between 4pm and 9pm
• Very low chance for minor wind damage 4 to 6pm
NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA (WUFT)
• Heavy rain, with some lightning, primarily 4pm and 10pm
• Low chance for wind damage south of a line from Cedar Key to Gainesville to Palatka
• Very low chance for an isolated tornado in Citrus, Marion, Sumter, and Flagler counties
CENTRAL FLORIDA (WUSF & WMFE)
• Severe potential is greatest 5pm to 9pm
• Tornado potential is highest with any discrete cells that form along a weak Atlantic sea breeze near or east of the Orlando metro area between 6 and 10pm
• Wind damage potential is highest along the squall line as it advances through the Tampa Bay metro between 4 and 8pm
TREASURE COAST (WQCS)
• Heavy rain and gusty winds will accompany the front 7pm to 11pm
• Very low chance for minor wind damage and an isolated tornado with any cells that form along the Atlantic sea breeze near the coast between 5 and 8pm.
SOUTH FLORIDA (WLRN)
• Very low chance for minor wind damage and isolated tornado with any thunderstorms that form near the Atlantic sea breeze and move toward shore between 5 and 8pm.
