Tornado watch cancelled as line of showers, storms begin to exit the area

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - NOON-HOUR UPDATE - The tornado watch that was in effect for at least half of the viewing area has been allowed to expire, and the Storm Prediction Center said a new watch is “not expected.”

The squall line that brought damaging wind gusts and waterspouts to portions of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend continued to move eastward into the Gulf of Mexico and east of the viewing area around noon Wednesday. The energy and dynamics for severe weather will continue to decrease as the line moves east and, therefore, the risk of severe weather will decrease for the rest of the day.

There were multiple reports of waterspouts in Panama City Beach earlier Wednesday morning. A severe-thunderstorm-warned cell also brought wind gusts of 62 mph to St. George Island, according to the National Weather Service. The latest wind damage report came from Wakulla County where a tree was down near intersection of Bloxham Cutoff Road and Wakulla Springs Road.

The cold front that brought the line of rain and storms through the area is forecast to bring tranquil conditions to the area later on Wednesday into Wednesday night. The weather will remain nice through the rest of the work week and into the weekend.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A tornado watch was issued for portions of the Big Bend and South Georgia until noon Wednesday as a squall line moved through the area Wednesday morning.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes in the watch area and to be on the lookout for any warnings that might be issued by the National Weather Service. Also have a plan on what to do in case a warning is issued.

Some portions of the watch were canceled mid morning Wednesday as the squall line advanced through the area. As of 10:42 a.m., the watch was still in effect for Liberty, Franklin, Wakulla, Leon, Jefferson and Brooks counties.

No tornado warnings have been issued for the Big Bend and South Georgia as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, but there was at least one report of a waterspout in the Panama City Beach area.

Two severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect as of 11:10 a.m. Wednesday. A warning was in effect for portions of Hamilton, Clinch and Echols counties until 11:45 a.m. Damaging wind gusts are possible in the severe-thunderstorm-warned areas. A new warning was also in effect for Franklin County until 11:30 a.m.

The line is forecast to continue its eastward movement and impact South-Central Georgia and the eastern Big Bend through the rest of the morning.

This is a developing story, and this page will be updated throughout the morning.

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