The National Weather Service is urging residents across the Florida Big Bend and Tallahassee area to limit outdoor activity as dangerous heat gives way to the threat of severe thunderstorms capable of producing 70 mph winds, flash flooding and hail.
An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect from late morning through early evening July 29 for Florida’s Big Bend, eastern Panhandle and parts of south Georgia. Forecasters expect afternoon high temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees, with heat index values reaching 110 to 116 degrees in some areas, including parts of Tallahassee.
The National Weather Service Tallahassee office warned that the day will bring “one last day of extreme heat” before a potent round of severe weather develops later in the day.
“The indoors will be your friend today,” the agency wrote in a social media post Wednesday morning.
Officials are encouraging residents to stay hydrated, be in air conditioning whenever possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. The agency noted that fans alone may not provide adequate protection in the most extreme conditions.
Health officials say symptoms of heat exhaustion can include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should move to a cooler location, loosen clothing and drink cool water. Heat stroke – a more serious medical emergency – can cause confusion, dizziness and loss of consciousness and requires immediate medical attention.
As temperatures peak this afternoon, attention will turn to a developing severe weather threat. The National Weather Service has placed much of North Florida, including Tallahassee and surrounding counties, under a Level 2 of 5 “slight risk” for severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. Forecasters say the strongest storms could produce:
The severe weather threat is expected to begin during the mid-afternoon hours and continue through late evening across north Florida, south Georgia and southeast Alabama.
While widespread flooding is not anticipated, meteorologists caution that torrential downpours could overwhelm drainage systems in some locations. Residents are also encouraged to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts as storms develop.
The storm threat is expected to diminish somewhat Thursday but not disappear entirely. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the inland Panhandle and Big Bend under a Level 1 of 5 marginal risk for severe weather afternoon and evening on July 30.
Storms could still produce damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, quarter-sized hail and localized flash flooding, according to the weather service.
The good news for heat-weary residents is that July 29 is expected to mark the end of the region’s most intense heat streak. Increased cloud cover and rainfall associated with the unsettled weather pattern should help ease temperatures later this week.
Portions of this weather report were generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Extreme heat, severe storms threaten Tallahassee: ‘Indoors will be your friend’
Reporting by Staff reports, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Staff reports, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
