TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Tonight through Saturday morning will be a First to Know Weather Day for the Big Bend and southern Georgia.
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center continues to classify our area in an Enhanced Risk zone for numerous severe weather occurrences because of the increasing confidence for strong to severe storms capable of producing damaging winds, a few tornadoes, hail, and heavy rainfall.
Scattered pockets of rain and storm activity have added another 1 to 3 inches of rain near the coast and some areas south of I-10 in the Suwannee valley. Some isolated severe storms are possible, embedded in the heavy rain clusters as they move north-northeast. The activity in the early evening will diminish temporarily in these areas.
The nighttime round of active storms is expected as a cold front passes through the area, west to east, through early Saturday morning. Once the front begins to push through, the developing line of thunderstorms will clash with clusters of strong thunderstorms over Gulf waters. This combination of features will be capable of causing a broader swath of damaging wind gusts. A few tornadoes can form ahead and along the line.
Severe weather action will reach its peak between midnight in the western parts of the region through roughly 7 a.m. in the Suwannee River corridor.
A tornado watch covers all local counties until 6:00 a.m. A few tornadoes are possible, and an isolated strong one can't be ruled out.
Localized flash flooding is also possible, especially for areas that saw the most significant rainfall totals south of I-10 since Wednesday.
A Flood Watch is in effect for most stateline counties south to the coast until 11:00 a.m. Saturday (10:00 a.m. expiration in Suwannee, Hamilton, Echols, and Clinch counties). Additional watches, advisories, and warnings are expected as conditions develop.
As always, be sure to follow the ABC 27 First Alert Weather Team on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to download the Storm Shield App to get watches and warnings delivered straight to your phone to stay updated on your forecast through the week. Get the app today: iPhone/iPad | Android.