Latest update
Tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning for Okaloosa County
5:35 am (CT): A tornado warning is in effect for Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties until 11:00 AM.
A severe thunderstorm advisory has been issued for southeastern Okaloosa County. At 5:55 am, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles south of Fort Walton Beach and moved northeast at 50 miles per hour. Hazards include gusts of 60 mph.
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Tornado watches are issued in several areas of the Florida Panhandle.
Earlier this morning, a tornado warning was issued for three counties in Florida until 11:00 am. The clock was active in Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties, according to the National Weather Service.
A strong thunderstorm is passing through the region before a cold front. Storm hazards include potential tornadoes, high winds with gusts of up to 40 mph, and hail.
By 6:30 a.m. Central Time, Escambia County was cleared of the exclusion zone.
Cold front in progress:Tornadoes, hail could hit parts of Florida ahead of first cold front in 2023
The storm that hit the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday was part of a storm system that hit the plains earlier this week, triggering several tornado warnings in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to AccuWeather.
Thunderstorm threat extends from the Florida Gulf Coast to the Central Appalachian Mountains this morning. Severe thunderstorms can move north from the Florida Panhandle to central Virginia during the afternoon and evening hours as the day progresses.
Severe thunderstorms could move to Tallahassee later today.
What areas are subject to tornado warnings?
Three counties, Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa, are under tornado watch until 11:00 am.
Cities to watch include: Andalusia, Atmore, Bay Minette, Bellevue, Brent, Brewton, Crestview, Daphne, Destin, Eglin Air Force Base, Ensley, Ferry Pass, Frommaton, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Gulf Shores, Milton, Myrtle Grove, Niceville, Ops, Pace, Pensacola, Seminole, Wright.
Weather Radar, Pensacola: Tracks Storms Passing the Panhandle
Pensacola weather forecast today
Showers and thunderstorms possible before 9 AM. It will be cloudy from the morning, then gradually clear, and the highest temperature will be around 74 degrees. Southwest winds of 5 to 15 mph will blow northwest in the afternoon. Winds can reach 25 mph. 70% chance of rain. New precipitation is 0.5 to 3/4 inches possible.
Weather Radar, Tallahassee: Tracks eastward-moving storm
Weather forecast for Tallahassee today
Showers and thunderstorms mostly before 4pm Dense fog before 8am Area around 75 with 100% chance of high precipitation. New precipitation is between three-quarters and one inch.
How cold will the temperature be when the cold front passes?
Highs for the first full weekend of 2023 will drop in the early 50s and late 60s in the northern half of Florida, with lows in the early 30s and late 40s.
In central Florida, highs may drop in the late 60s to early 70s over the weekend, and lows may drop in the low to mid 50s before jumping again.
Temperatures in South Florida could drop to the mid to mid 50s over the weekend, with highs in the mid to low 70s.
A short cooldown is expected as temperatures begin to rise over the next week.
