The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Tornado watches for fifteen counties in Florida as severe weather rolls into the Gulf Coast.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 49 counties. This declaration aims to provide immediate assistance and resources to the affected areas in case of major damage.
The Tornado Watch is in effect Tuesday from 1:15 pm until 9:00 pm.
Read: Gov. DeSantis Activates Florida State Guard Ahead Of Severe Weather
The watch includes the following counties:
- Hardee County
- Levy County
- Desoto County
- Highlands County
- Charlotte County
- Lee County
- Citrus County
- Hernando County
- Hillsborough County
- Manatee County
- Pasco County
- Pinellas County
- Sarasota County
- Polk County
- Sumter County
Counties Included in the State of Emergency
The state of emergency encompasses various counties across Florida, including Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Seminole, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
These counties are the ones most likely to experience severe weather conditions and potential damages.
Activation of the Florida State Guard
On Monday, Governor DeSantis activated the Florida State Guard in response to the weather-related emergencies. This proactive measure ensures that the state is well-prepared to handle any challenges.
By mobilizing the Florida State Guard, the state can effectively coordinate emergency response efforts and ensure the safety of its residents.
Timing of Tonight’s Weather
To help residents prepare for the severe weather, NWS meteorologists have provided a breakdown of the expected timeline for tonight’s unsettled weather:
- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Isolated strong/severe storms may occur before the main line, potentially leading to the formation of tornadoes.
- 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.: A strong line of thunderstorms is expected to move over the Gulf Coast.
- 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.: The line of storms will progress through to teh east of the state.
- 12 a.m. to 1 a.m.: The severe threat will diminish, leading to partial clearing, and colder air moving in for the rest of the night.
Once the storms have passed, cooler and drier air will replace the unsettled weather. Wednesday is expected to bring a significant change in weather conditions, with the arrival of much cooler temperatures.
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