A cold front is approaching the Big Bend and southwest Georgia from the west that is expected to bring strong storms capable of producing severe weather across the area on Wednesday. Storms will bring the potential for damaging wind gusts, a few tornadoes, and heavy rainfall with totals expected around 1-3" across the coverage area. The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk for severe weather.
A tornado watch is in effect for Panhandle counties until 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time (6:00 a.m. Central). Counties east of the Apalachicola and Chattahoochee rivers are not included in the watch, but a new watch can cover more Florida/Georgia state line counties later in the morning.
Storms are expected to begin in our western tri-state counties around sunrise on Wednesday as a line pushes east through the morning. Tallahassee will begin to see storms capable of becoming severe by late morning into the lunchtime hours Wednesday. The storms will continue further east during the afternoon on Wednesday with a slightly lower severe potential.
While another round of rain and scattered thunderstorms is expected on Thursday, the severe potential won't be as high but we can expect occasionally frequent thunder and lightning and more heavy rainfall in some places.
While the totals aren't necessarily too high, areas that have been receiving heavy rainfall over the past two weeks will be vulnerable to localized ponding and flooding through Wednesday and Thursday.
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.
