Florida Weather Update as Severe Storms Forecast

Severe spring storms are set to batter Florida on Thursday, with forecasters warning “excessive rainfall” may spark flash floods in the Sunshine State.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says that “strong to severe” thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, heavy rains, and damaging winds, will barrel across the Southeast, which could lead to “flash, urban, and minor to moderate river flooding” along the Florida Panhandle. Wind advisories are in effect until 8:00 p.m. ET with “gusts up 40 mph” possible, according to NWS experts.

The news comes as weather continues to dominate news headlines, after a string of extreme events have rocked the country in recent years. While some areas, such as Chicago, experienced flooded homes and submerged cars following torrential rain, other parts of the country, such as Texas, suffered from extreme heat. In Florida, Hurricane Idalia rocked the state in August, with floods so severe some beachfront homes were washed away.

Experts fear that climate change will make extreme weather patterns worse, with a series of researchers and scientists telling Newsweek their grim predictions for the future. Many believe that more thunderstorms and floods are likely, along with tornadoes, hurricanes and droughts.

And this week, Florida is due to experience the brunt of a vicious weather front.

An “urgent” weather message published online by NWS in the early hours of Thursday warned of “southwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.” Parts of Alabama and Georgia will experience some of the effects, as well as Florida’s Panhandle.

“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” NWS warned. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.” The government agency also warned residents and motorists to take extra care. “Secure outdoor objects,” the NWS said, adding: “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.”

Storms will roll in from between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., although the unpleasant conditions are due to clear out on Thursday night, with fine weather predicted for Friday.

This week’s storm comes just a day after climate change experts warned how Florida would be ravaged by a 6ft sea level rise caused by ice sheet loss; a change that could occur by the end of the next century. A map of the U.S. showed how coastal states would be altered, with Florida, the Carolinas, and Louisiana likely to be the worst-affected states.

In Florida, much of the Keys would disappear, all of Monroe County would vanish, and the coastlines around Cape Coral, St. Petersburg and Tampa would retreat significantly. A large swath of Miami-Dade County would become submerged, with Miami neighborhoods also reclaimed by the ocean.