Strong thunderstorms are expected in portions of North Florida Sunday Night and Monday. The cold front responsible for the unsettled weather was approaching the panhandle Sunday afternoon.
Strong thunderstorms are approaching the #FLPanhandle this afternoon ahead of an approaching front. There is a low risk (yellow region on map) some of them could become severe and produce wind damage through this evening. #flwx pic.twitter.com/NnpTVbmAPM
— Florida Storms (@FloridaStorms) March 11, 2018
According to the National Weather Service, there is a low (or “marginal”) risk of severe weather for the Florida Panhandle and sections of the Nature Coast Sunday evening and overnight. The line of showers and thunderstorms will move through Pensacola by 5 p.m. and approach Tallahassee by 7 p.m.
After the line of showers and storms moves through the Panhandle, it will approach Gainesville and Jacksonville by 11 p.m. The activity will likely weaken some as it moves inland, but some brief downpours and gusty winds are still possible. The showers are likely to fall apart after moving south of Ocala by 4 am.
The potential for strong or severe storms Monday includes most of central and south Florida, generally near and south of the I-4 corridor. Storms are likely to redevelop near the I-4 corridor by 9 am. A widespread event is not anticipated, but a few of Monday's storms may grow strong enough to produce minor wind damage or an isolated tornado.
The thunderstorms are possible in Tampa, Orlando and Melbourne Monday morning and midday. As the front continues its dive south, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers will experience strong storms by 1 p.m. Fort Lauderdale and Miami's greatest chance for strong storms will be between 2 and 6 pm Monday. The wet weather should clear all of South Florida Monday evening.