Tornadic Supercells, Severe thunderstorms in Florida, flash flooding as hurricane makes landfall

Hurricane Milton is going to landfall tonight in Western Florida. Landfall will occur near or south of Tampa which will bring destructive and life threatening storm surge for areas along and south of the landfall of the center. There are numerous weather risks around the state and we are seeing that playing out already with heavy rain and severe thunderstorms.

Photo bystorm prediction center

The Storm Prediction Center has an enhanced risk for severe weather for Central and Southern Florida and elevated risk for areas to the north as well as to the south. Tornado risk is elevated as well and we have already seen tornadoes overnight and this morning in parts of South Florida.

Photo bystorm prediction center

Tornadic supercells are a risk (ef3 or higher) across Central Florida which needs to be taken seriously. Severe weather will be commonplace is ares south of the storm track. Along and north of the storm track flash flooding and heavy rains are forecast and some places could easily see a foot or more of rain from Milton as it moves inland tonight and tracks near the Interstate 4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando and Daytona.

Photo byweather prediction center

Milton will landfall as a strong category 3/low end category 4. It is still a dangerous hurricane even though it will be off the peak strength reached Tuesday. The track will take it off the Florida east coast late Thursday morning or early afternoon and then out to sea into the open waters of the Atlantic.

Photo byTropical Tidbits

Once the hurricane clears the coastline Thursday, weather conditions will start to improve. Drier air will come in behind and the weather generally calms down going into the weekend.