The greatest rain chances will reside across the Florida Big Bend, Suwannee River Valley, and Northeast Florida through the morning hours (80-near100%), gradually spreading southeastward to the I-4 corridor this afternoon and evening (60-80% chance of rain) as a broken line of shower and thunderstorms continue to advance eastward ahead and along a cold front.
Thunderstorms may become strong to severe at times, especially with the assistance of daytime heating, and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) maintains a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for Severe Weatheralong the I-10 corridor and northern Florida Peninsula and aMarginal Risk (level 1 of 5) remains in place along and south of the I-4 corridor.
Damaging wind gusts (50-70 mph), an isolated tornado, frequent lightning, heavy downpours, and instances of 1” in diameter (quarter-size) hail will all be possible within the stronger and more organized thunderstorms.
Tornado Watch #50remains in effect for portions of the Florida Big Bend until 10:00 AM EDT this morning.
Tornado Watch #52 has been issued for the Florida Big Bend, Suwannee River Valley, and Northeast Florida until 3:00 PM EDT this afternoon.
Southerly to southwesterly wind gusts will reach upwards of 25-35 mph throughout the Florida Peninsula; Wind Advisories will go into effect across East-Central Florida midday until 6:00 PM EDT.
As the cold front progresses southeastward into the Florida Peninsula, scattered showers and thunderstorms will spread southward this evening and tonight, some which may be gusty (40-60% chance of rain).
Instances of coastal fog and low cloudswill be possible along portions of the Florida West Coast tonight into Monday morning.
Westerly post-frontal winds will allow for temperatures to remain in the lower to middle 70s across the western Florida Panhandle, while the rest of the state can expect high temperatures in the middle to upper 80s.
A few interior locations throughout the southern Florida Peninsula will likely eclipse the 90-degreemark prior to the onset of rain and thunderstorm activity; muggy conditions may allow for temperatures to feel likethe middle 90s.
A moderate to high risk for life-threatening rip currents persist statewide today as breezy winds and continued ocean swells begin to impact the coastlines.
There is no organized risk for flash flooding, only nuisance floodingand ponding wateron roadways and usual trouble spots cannot be ruled out.
Minor floodingcontinues along portions of the Aucilla River at Lamont andSt. Mary’s River at Macclenny, with River Flood Warningsremaining in effect until further notice and until Tuesday (3/18) evening, respectively.
To view the complete Morning Situation Report, please select the link below.