Tallahassee, Florida – Residents across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend should prepare for another dangerous combination of oppressive heat followed by strong afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Heat index values will climb as high as 112 degrees before storms develop, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and isolated flash flooding.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, a Heat Advisory remains in effect from 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. CDT) until 7 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. CDT) for much of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, along with portions of southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. Afternoon high temperatures will range from 93 to 97 degrees, with humidity pushing apparent temperatures well into the triple digits.
As daytime heating peaks, thunderstorms are expected to develop across the region. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the area under a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms. The strongest storms could produce isolated wind gusts up to 60 mph, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and pockets of flash flooding where heavy rain falls in a short period.
The greatest impacts are expected across communities including Tallahassee, Panama City, Apalachicola, Marianna, Blountstown, Perry, Bainbridge, Dothan and Valdosta. Brief power outages, downed tree limbs and hazardous driving conditions are possible as storms move through during the late afternoon and evening.
Residents should stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible. If thunderstorms approach, move indoors immediately, as lightning can strike well away from the heaviest rain. Never drive through flooded roadways.
The heat advisory expires this evening, but additional weather alerts could be issued if strong thunderstorms become more widespread or conditions change later today.
