The next big front comes on Thursday late morning and stays until early evening. This front is expected to bring a lot of rain and storms, as well as a chance of severe weather. On a scale of 1 to 5, today most of Central Florida is at level 2, which means there is a “scattered” threat of bad weather. WESH 2 has called it a First Warning Weather Day because of this, which means that there could be dangerous weather.
Sumter County is under a Tornado Warning from the National Weather Service until 11:30 a.m.
Sumter County is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 11:30 AM.
The main danger will be damaging wind, but a tornado or two can’t be ruled out either. Since yesterday morning, the chance of a tornado has gone up a little, so now there is a chance of more than one. A tornado watch is in place until 4 p.m. for the counties of Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Flagler, Marion, and Volusia.
So, a tornado watch has been posted for our area… What does that mean?
Conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form The tornado watch means we need to WATCH OUT. If a warning is issued, that means it’s happening… Be weather aware! pic.twitter.com/yl8BjeZa2U
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) December 15, 2022
Strong & severe storms will work across the area throughout the day. Here’s the latest timeline just before 6AM. pic.twitter.com/bq470J9k3Z
— Kellianne Klass WESH (@KellianneWX) December 15, 2022
Severe Weather Schedule:
Starting in the northwest at 9 a.m. and going through 7 p.m., the chance of severe weather will get worse. The front will move slowly into Osceola and Brevard counties in the early evening after moving through Marion County in the late morning.
The threat of bad weather will be over before it gets late tonight.
Tomorrow will be a change for the better. The highs in the afternoon will be in the 60s and 70s. The lows in the morning will be in the 50s. This weekend will be even chillier, with morning temperatures in the 40s and 50s and highs in the 60s. We’ll also watch for more rain from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
The coldest time will be Monday morning when temperatures will be in the 40s. This could be the first morning since March when the temperature is in the 40s.
Stay tuned to WESH 2 for the best weather forecast for Central Florida.
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Tornado Safety Tips
In the U.S., there are about 1,000 tornadoes a year, and on average, 80 people die and 1,500 are hurt. Before a tornado hits, it can mean the difference between life and death if you know what to do and are ready.
1. Stay Up-to-date and Know the Terms
When bad weather is coming, you can get alerts from the WESH 2 News app, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or watch WESH 2.
If there is a tornado watch, it means that tornadoes could happen. Storms are coming, so stay alert. Keep an eye on the sky and listen to the news about the weather.
When you hear a tornado warning, it means that a tornado has been seen or picked up by weather radar. Get shelter right away.
2. Get Your Family Ready for Bad Weather Before It Happens
Make a disaster supplies kit with basic things that your family may need in case of an emergency.
After a storm, you might have to figure out how to live on your own. This means you should have enough water, food, and other necessities to last for at least 72 hours.
After a disaster, local officials and aid workers will be on the scene, but they won’t be able to reach everyone right away. It could take hours or even days to get help.
Fema Supply List
Basic services like electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones could be cut off for days, a week, or even longer. Your emergency kit should have things that will help you get by during these times.
3. Have a Plan for How to Get in Touch in Case of an Emergency
Set up a way for everyone in your family to talk to each other in case of an emergency. When tornadoes hit, many families have extra stress because they don’t have a plan for how to be warned, stay safe, and find each other when the storm is over.
4. Learn About Tornadoes and What to Look Out for
Sometimes tornadoes form so quickly that there is little or no time to prepare. Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may get very still.
Look for the following warning signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Big hail
- A large, dark cloud that hangs low (particularly if it appears to rotate)
- A loud sound that sounds like a freight train
- A tornado may look almost clear until it picks up dust and dirt or a cloud forms in the funnel.
Tornadoes usually move from southwest to northeast, but they can move in any direction.
The average speed of a tornado moving forward is 30 mph, but it can be still or move as fast as 70 mph.
March through May is the worst time for tornadoes in the southern states.
Most tornadoes happen between 3 and 9 p.m., but they can happen anytime.
5. Know Where to Go to Keep Yourself Safe
If you are in a house, small building, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, or high-rise building:
- Go to a safe place like a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building. If there isn’t a basement, go to the middle of a small room on the lowest level (closet, hallway) that isn’t near any corners, windows, doors, or walls that face the outside. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Get under a strong table and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- If you are waiting in line to pick up your child at school, get inside as soon as you can.
- In a tall building, go to a small room or hallway on the ground floor or the floor below.
- Make sure you’re wearing shoes that won’t break.
Don’t let windows open
If you’re in a mobile home, manufactured office building, or camper:
- Get out of the house right away and go to a place you’ve already chosen, like the lowest floor of a strong building nearby or a storm shelter. Even if you tie down your mobile home, it won’t protect you much from a tornado.
If you are not in a substantial building, there is no research-based recommendation for what to do as a last resort because many things can affect your choice.
Some Actions That Could Be Taken (but don’t guarantee safety) Are:
- Get in a car right away, fasten your seat belt, and try to drive to the nearest safe place. If a piece of flying trash hits your car while you’re driving, pull over and park.
- Get inside a car that is stopped. Put on your seat belt and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat, or cushion if you can.
- Lay down in a place lower than the road and cover your head with your arms and, if possible, a blanket, coat, or cushion.
In all situations: - Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer when you are low and flat.
- Don’t try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck in a city or a crowded area. Instead, get out of the car and find a safe place to stay.
- Watch out for things that might fly. Most deaths and injuries from tornadoes are caused by flying objects.
Tornadoes will be one of the threats today. Highest threat for a few spin ups will be along the I-75 corridor. An isolated threat exists for the metro and areas east/ pic.twitter.com/fvUS55X8DE
— Kellianne Klass WESH (@KellianneWX) December 15, 2022
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