Weather

Hail hits Central Florida

11 p.m. Update -

Hail storms were making one final push in western Marion County, Near Dunnellon, late Saturday evening before tapering off during the overnight hours. Easter morning may bring an isolated shower or two, but will be much quieter than the stormy afternoon that will follow. Once again, strong storms with lightning, hail & damaging winds will be our threats again Sunday.

10:00 p.m. Update -     

Hail and damaging winds swept across Central Florida between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. this Saturday.
Although many communities might have seen hail and experienced strong winds gusts; infinite reports came in from viewers in Poinciana, Kissimmee, Mount Dora and Tavares.

Viewers sent in images of what looks like a layer of snow over patios, roads and sidewalks.

Meteorologist George Waldenberger shows us where the storms are headed and some pictures from viewers. 

7 p.m. Update -

After reaching an official high temperature at Orlando International Airport of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, the thunderstorms started to flare up and move to Central Florida from the West.

WATCH: Live Doppler 9 HD Radar

The thunderstorms continued to grow and unite as they moved towards Osceola and Orange counties. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:42 p.m. in effect for northwestern Osceola County, warning for damaging winds of up to 60 MPH and quarter size hail (up to one inch in diameter). The warnings continued to be issued as the storms progressed to the northeast at around 25 MPH.

These storms left several reports of hail. Check out the video shared by one of our viewers in Poinciana:

%

INLINE

%

Central and Eastern Lake County also experienced a severe thunderstorms which will be approaching Volusia County. Residents near Apopka, Seminole Springs, Deltona, Pines Lakes and surrounding areas experienced downpours, lightning and possible hail too.

%

INLINE

%


2:00 p.m. Update -

Busy weather during this Easter weekend is expected. Storms will threaten this Saturday mainly after 4 p.m. going into the evening.

After a Saturday morning with a few passing showers the weather remained dry around noon into the early afternoon. Temperatures by 2 p.m. were in the mid-80s across much of Central Florida. The heat plus an already unstable atmosphere, will mix to make the right recipe to have strong to severe thunderstorms during the late hours Saturday afternoon.

MORE: Hour-by-hour forecast in your city 

The severe weather's main threat will be dangerous lightning, damaging wind gusts, and small hail. There is also a slight risk for development of a tornado.

Many people are enjoying this holiday weekend with loved ones, perhaps even doing outdoor activities.

WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 has you covered on all platforms. You can stay up to the minute informed by accessing wftv.com/weather. Also WFTV Weather App will notify you as soon as a watch or warning is issued at your current location, download it here.

Our team of meteorologists at WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 is closely monitoring the storms, and will continue to update via WFTV.com and on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Meteorologist George Waldenberger will have the latest and he will break in to programming as necessary when the appropriate warning is issued.