Good evening! It's been an active day across the Gulf coast states as a powerful storm has sparked quite a bit of severe weather. We've had reports tonight of significant flooding across parts of Lousiana as a result of heavy, drenching rain as well as a few tornado reports and many, many more reports of wind damage. The focus for the severe weather has been along a warm front draped across the Gulf coast region back to an area of low pressure moving past New Orleans. This system is moving east and heading toward the Florida panhandle and south Georgia. As a result, tornado watches are in effect as of 9:30pm Saturday across much of north Florida -- along the I-10 corridor.

Will we severe weather here? Already, fortunately, there are signs that the severe weather threat will diminish quite a bit as this storm system moves toward central Florida. A strong upper level disturbance is lifting to the northeast, away from us, while the surface low that is now over the north Gulf is forecast to move north of the Florida state line. This will keep the strongest upper level wind, and wind shear (rotation), well to the north of our area. At the same time, with the front forecast to arrive across our western counties by mid morning and across the east late in the day, the amount of instability will be somewhat limited where the wind energy is highest (north). This also works in our favor to limit severe weather.

There will still be enough wind energy in the atmosphere, though, for some stronger wind gusts as the cold front moves through with a 40% chance of showers and storms. Some wind gusts could be close to 40 mph. Expect some fairly quick clearing, especially west, as the front clears through the area. It will remain windy behind the front.

You can track the rain tomorrow online here at wftv.com with Early Warning Doppler 9 HD Interactive. Have a great night!

Brian Monahan