WEATHER ALERT DAY: Central Florida counties remain under tornado watch

ORLANDO, Fla. — There’s a risk for severe weather Thursday in Central Florida due to a strong storm system set to move through the area.

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See live updates below:

1:50 p.m. update:

Storms producing gusty winds are moving through Orange County. There is a tornado watch in effect through 4 p.m. mainly along and east of Interstate 4.

12:58 p.m. update:

FAA officials have confirmed the storm system has caused a ground stop to be issued at Orlando International Airport.

Airport leaders said the storm may impact flights and baggage movement at OIA.

It’s unclear how many flights may be impacted by the storm and ground stop.

11:22 a.m. update:

A tornado warning issued for Sumter County has ended, but Central Florida counties remain under a tornado watch.

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11 a.m. update:

A tornado warning has been issued for Sumter County.

Take cover in the lowest, most central room in your home. And stay away from windows.

9 a.m. update:

When a violent storm is brewing and you start to see tornado “warning” and tornado “watch” splashed across your TV screen and devices, it can be confusing in the heat of the moment to determine what that means.

According to The National Weather Service, a tornado “warning” is issued when a tornado is imminent. Usually that means signs of an imminent tornado have been spotted on radar. When a tornado warning is issued, seek safe shelter immediately.

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A tornado “watch” is issued when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.

8:05 a.m. update:

The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch advisory for all of Central Florida until 4 p.m.

The advisory includes the risk of tornados, hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph.

7:20 a.m. update:

The National Weather Service issued a warning over the storm.

Officials said the storms may produce wind gusts up to 60 mph, a tornado or two, small hail and heavy rainfall up to 1 to 2 inches.

Original report:

A cold front will push a line of rain and storms through Central Florida this afternoon.

The storm system will bring the risk of damaging winds, hail, lightning and isolated tornados.

Read: Tornado hits New Orleans area; storms cause at least 3 deaths across Louisiana

Storm conditions are forecast for our northwest regions, including Marion and Sumter counties, before noon.

The system will then move through the Orlando metro area throughout the mid-afternoon.

The severe weather threat will move into our southeastern areas until the evening.

Our biggest concerns with the storms will be damaging winds and an isolated tornado risk.

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The cold front has already produced a damaging tornado outbreak in several Gulf states.

The highest risk for tornados in Florida will be in the panhandle overnight.

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Channel 9 meteorologists expect the storms to be weaker in our area than the damage seen in other states.

However, the 50mph wind threat and tornado threat will remain through the middle to late afternoon.

Following the storms, we will have a big cool down.

We will have high temperatures in the 60s and lows in the 40s from Friday through Sunday.

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