Tornado Watch Issued for Central and South Florida Coastal Waters

Supercells in the outer rain bands of Hurricane Milton are expected to pose a threat for several tornadoes today across the central and southern Florida Peninsula. A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of Central and South Florida, effective from 815 AM until 900 PM EDT. The forecast indicates that several tornadoes are likely, with isolated damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph possible.

Key Takeaways:

• The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of Central and South Florida Coastal Waters, effective from 815 AM until 900 PM EDT.
• Supercells in the outer rain bands of Hurricane Milton are expected to pose a threat for several tornadoes today across the central and southern Florida Peninsula.
• The tornado watch area is approximately along and 85 statute miles east and west of a line from 35 miles east northeast of Saint Petersburg FL to 10 miles south southwest of Marathon FL.
• Several tornadoes are likely, with isolated damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph possible.
• Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 0.5 inches, extreme turbulence, and surface wind gusts up to 60 knots are anticipated.
• A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500 are expected.

Statistics:

• 80% probability of 2 or more tornadoes
• 20% probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes
• 20% probability of 10 or more severe wind events
• 10% probability of 1 or more wind events 65 knots
• 2% probability of 10 or more severe hail events
• 1 inch or less hail event probability: 5%

Sources:

• US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• NWS Storm Prediction Center
• Contify.com