Severe Weather Update for Florida Amid Risk of Tornados, Hail Storms

Thunderstorms with a slight risk of severe wind gusts and a possible brief tornado may develop on Monday in parts of central Florida, according to meteorologists.

Why It Matters

Severe thunderstorms can cause power lines and trees to blow down and damage homes and other buildings.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Monday morning that gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. It also said minor hail damage to vegetation would be possible.

What To Know

According to Severe Weather Outlook, a website that tracks severe weather potential, a mid-level low will track eastward over Georgia Monday while a positively tilted trough moves toward the Florida Peninsula. Meanwhile, at the surface, a cold front will progress southeastward across the Florida Peninsula.

Thunderstorms are anticipated to form by mid-morning, it said, adding that the storms will track eastward across central Florida from late morning through early afternoon.

“A brief tornado could also be possible,” it added.

The NWS forecast office at Tampa Bay, Florida, said the strongest storms would be sweeping through the region from this morning into early afternoon before shifting east and south by mid-afternoon.

“The Marginal Risk continues for early this morning from around Tampa Bay northward, with the Storm Prediction Center adding a Marginal Risk for the rest of today across inland southwest Florida and the interior,” it said.

At the time of writing, a tornado warning was in place for Lake County and Orange County.

“At 8:56 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Clermont, or near Ferndale, moving northeast at 35 miles per hour,” the warning reads.

What People Are Saying

The NWS weather forecast office at Melbourne, Florida, said: “Strong to locally damaging wind gusts to 40 to 60 mph remain the primary hazard with any storms. Additional threats include occasional to frequent lightning strikes, small hail, heavy downpours and a low threat for a brief tornado.”

Meteorologist Joey Crist posted to X, formerly Twitter, Sunday: “The National Weather Service in Tallahassee, FL, has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of Jackson, Holmes, and Washington counties in the Florida Panhandle until 9:00 PM CDT. At 8:12 PM CDT, a severe storm near Bonifay is moving east at 45 mph, bringing quarter-size hail. Expect potential damage to vehicles.”

He added: “Impacted areas include Chipley, Marianna, Bonifay, Cottondale, and surrounding locations. Take shelter immediately. Stay indoors, away from windows, and prepare for large hail and dangerous lightning.”

What Happens Next?

The severe threat is anticipated to diminish in the afternoon as the stronger low-level flow shifts offshore into the western Atlantic, according to Severe Weather Outlook.