Severe weather is in the forecast across the Florida Panhandle late today through Tuesday morning. Destructive winds and strong tornadoes are the greatest threats. It is very important that everyone stays “weather-aware” throughout the day today and tomorrow. Make sure you are checking the latest forecast each day and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts (TV, app, weather radio). You may also want to consider where to go if/when a tornado warning is issued. Build your “severe weather safety plan” by referencing these guidelines from the National Weather Service.
We're going to catch a break from the wet weather today with a sunny, though chilly day in store. Temperatures will reach the mid-upper 50s and climb to the low 60s tomorrow as a warm front stretches into the Panhandle. A cold front will be quick moving behind the warm front, which will give way to scattered showers and storms late Friday into Saturday morning. Isolated severe storms are possible, but there is a greater severe threat Monday into Tuesday.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings will feature temperatures in the 30s for most of the Panhandle. The coldest conditions are expected inland where the temperatures is more like to drop to freezing. High temperatures on Friday and Saturday will be in the low-mid 60s. By Sunday, the high rises to about 60 degrees. Isolated showers are in the forecast Monday and Wednesday.
At this time, we are forecasting 0-3 inches of rainfall from west to east with higher amounts expected east of liberty County. Therefore, western counties of the Panhandle may receive no rain while locations farther east see higher amounts. Sustained winds of 15-25 mph are likely with wind gusts up to 45 mph, especially along the coastline.
An upper-level ridge and surface high will continue to build over the Midwest and keep majority of the eastern half of the USA dry today. Locally, we'll see a mostly cloudy sky with some sunshine throughout the day and temperatures reaching the low-mid 60s. Winds will increase to 15-20 mph out of the east/northeast. A strong low pressure system is expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days.