Severe Weather Risk for Florida Increases with Hail, Isolated Tornado

Florida could experience hail, storms, damaging winds, and even an isolated tornado due to the threat of severe weather.

Severe Weather in Florida: Storms, Winds, Hail, Isolated Tornado

Today's rain chances are still primarily inland. Once more scooting across the state, the upper energy support will increase the likelihood of severe weather for the Suncoast. Near the coast, it will be mostly sunny, but a few miles to the east, toward the interstate, the skies will darken in the afternoon. Hail and damaging winds could be present in storms in Hardee and DeSoto. Highlands and other towns along the state's spine pose an even greater risk.

There may be one or two showers near the coast, but the storms inland will be more intense. The Storm Prediction Center has raised the likelihood of powerful gusty winds and hail just towards the north as well as on the east coast, where an isolated tornado is also possible.

With a mix of sun and clouds, the day will be warmer than usual, with a high in the mid-to-upper 80s.

Following Days: Thunderstorms, Showers, High Humidity

The area will experience higher humidity and a stickier feeling tomorrow as the winds shift to the south and then the southwest. As a cold front draws near, the increased humidity will encourage showers and thunderstorms on Friday.

It may rain on Friday, mainly in the late afternoon and evening. Over the weekend, the front will continue to move south, and Sunday looks nice with only a small chance of rain and the arrival of slightly cooler and less humid air. On Sunday, there will be wind.

Florida will experience cooler-than-average temperatures for the first three or four days of May before temperatures start to rise, ABC7 reports.

Orlando: Huge Hail, Strong Winds, Isolated Tornadoes

The main threats include extremely large hail as big as baseballs and winds exceeding 60 mph, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network.

Also possible are isolated, fleeting tornadoes, particularly close to the Atlantic Coast. Because of the occasional torrential rain, flash flooding will be a problem. Some places could rapidly accumulate more than 2 inches of snow.

Damage-causing thunderstorms are anticipated across the interior and eastern regions of Florida today, with the storm coverage being greatest from Ocala into Orlando and south into Fort Pierce. Wind gusts over 60 mph and large hail are both possible, according to Daytona Beach News Journal.

Weather Alerts in Florida

Multiple Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are in effect over different parts of the state including Palm Beach, Lake, Seminole, Volusia, and Brevard. The National Weather Service warns that in Palm Beach, hail damage to vehicles and other properties is to be expected.

A Flood Advisory is also in effect over Palm Beach, where minor flooding is expected as slow-moving storms bring heavy rainfall.

A Rip Current Statement over Coastal Franklin, and Coastal Gulf. The service warns that rip currents may be strong enough to pull in swimmers.