Treasure Coast Hazardous Weather Outlook March 20, 2018

From the National Weather Service:

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

DAY ONE TODAY AND TONIGHT, THUNDERSTORM IMPACT:

Enhanced Threat of Severe Weather Across East Central Florida This Afternoon and Evening. A squall line is expected to develop ahead of a cold front and move into areas northwest of I-4 early this afternoon. The line will push southward with a potential secondary band of showers and storms farther south over the Gulf moving rapidly eastward. This will lead to numerous showers and storms. They will push quickly toward the east-northeast across east central Florida around 55 to 60 mph through mid to late afternoon.

This activity will then shift south and offshore of the Treasure Coast by late evening. Strong to possibly severe storms will occur with this activity. Damaging wind gusts up to 60 to 70 mph and frequent lightning strikes will be the main threat from any severe storms. Large hail and isolated tornadoes will also be possible. Make sure you have a way of receiving timely severe weather watches and warnings.

HIGH WIND IMPACT

Southwest winds will increase up to 20 to 25 mph into the afternoon with frequent gusts up to 35 mph. A Lake Wind Advisory is in effect this afternoon through early evening for all of east central Florida.

RIP CURRENT IMPACT

A Moderate Risk of rip currents will exist along the beaches of east central Florida today. Make sure to swim near a lifeguard and be alert and prepared to take cover for any fast moving strong to severe storms that move toward the beaches and offshore this afternoon.

MARINE THUNDERSTORM GUST IMPACT

Scattered to numerous fast moving storms, pushing rapidly to the east-northeast up to 50 to 60 knots and offshore through the afternoon hours are expected across the area today. Some storms may be severe, producing wind gusts up to 60 knots.

WATERSPOUT IMPACT

Storms pushing offshore this afternoon and evening will have the potential to produce isolated waterspouts over the intracoastal and adjacent Atlantic waters.

WIND AND SEA IMPACT

Southwest winds up to 15 to 20 knots over the waters today will become westerly and increase to around 20 to 25 knots tonight, with frequent gusts to gale force expected over the offshore waters of Volusia and Brevard counties. A Small Craft Advisory goes into effect this afternoon for the entire coastal waters, with a Gale Warning in effect offshore, north of Sebastian inlet, into tonight. .

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. Hazardous boating conditions will continue through mid week. A very dry airmass building in behind this boundary will also lead to a higher fire danger across the area during the afternoon hours of Wednesday through at least Friday.

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT

Spotters should monitor the weather.

Lake Wind Advisory

URGENT: Inland Volusia County-Northern Lake County-Orange-Seminole- Southern Brevard County-Osceola-Indian River-Okeechobee-St. Lucie- Martin-Coastal Volusia County-Southern Lake County- Northern Brevard County- Including the cities of Debary, Deland, Deltona, Eustis, Mount Dora, Leesburg, Tavares, Apopka, Maitland, Orlando, Winter Park, Union Park, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Springs, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Celebration, Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Basinger, Fort Drum, Okeechobee, Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno, Stuart, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Clermont, Mascotte, Groveland, Cocoa, and Titusville

LAKE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING

The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a Lake Wind Advisory. It is in effect from noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening.

WINDS

Gusty Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph will develop this morning and persist through the afternoon. Strong to damaging gusts will also be possible in association with afternoon storms.