A strong and slow-moving storm system approaching the Florida Panhandle is expected to produce numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, some which could become severe or produce flash flooding.
A Tornado Watch was issued for areas of west of the Apalachicola River until 8 pm CT Monday evening. As of midday Monday, there had been no reports of damage despite a few cells that prompted warnings. A second round of thunderstorm activity is likely to move in from the west Monday evening, when atmospheric dynamics could support a stronger storm or two capable of producing a tornado. The more organized thunderstorm activity might also produce damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph in a few areas.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for the same locations of the Florida Panhandle through Tuesday evening. Rainfall totals over the 48-hour period are projected to be in the 2 to 5-inch range, with locally higher amounts possible. As of noon Monday, up to three inches of rain was estimated to have fallen just southeast of Pensacola, with 1 to 2 inches already reported in areas north and east toward Destin and Crestview.
The severe thunderstorm risk will likely end on Tuesday in these areas, but the flood risk could continue through Wednesday as the storm system slows down before it exits. Several more rounds of rain, some of it heavy, will be possible across the Florida Panhandle until a cold front finally moves east of the region on Thursday.