A strong spring storm will send a cold front quickly through all of Florida by midday Thursday. The system was approaching the western side of the panhandle Wednesday afternoon, and a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Watch was issued by the National Weather Service for Panama City and points north until 8 pm.
A midday update from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center placed much of north and central Florida in an elevated risk zone for wind damage, hail, or even a tornado through early Thursday morning. Areas further north, into parts of Georgia and South Carolina, were under a “high risk” of the dangerous storms.
In addition to a damaging wind risk, chances for an isolated tornado or large hail are highest near and north of the I-10 corridor from Tallahassee to Jacksonville between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. this evening. Further south across the peninsula, the primary hazard is damaging wind. Although the storm system will be weakening as it moves further south overnight, the leading edge of a squall line could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph in some areas.
When the risk is highest:
- Panama City/Tallahassee areas: 4 pm to 10 pm
- Gainesville/Jacksonville areas: Midnight to 6 am
- Tampa/Orlando areas: 4 am to 10 am
Tornado watches have been issued for Gadsden and Liberty Counties. All after school programs for Leon County schools have been canceled. Florida A&M University's main campus in Tallahassee, along with its Developmental Research School closed as of 2 p.m. Wednesday and will reopen Thursday morning at 7.
Updates from the Leon County Emergency Operations Center here:
http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/ei/index.asp