Storms roll into Treasure Coast with high winds, chance of hail, tornadoes

UPDATES

7:08 p.m.: A special marine warning is in place for Lake Okeechobee until 7:30 p.m. The National Weather Service advises those on the water to seek shelter.

6:42 p.m.: A significant weather advisory for southeastern Indian River County and northeastern St. Lucie County is in place until 7 p.m.

5:57 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for southwestern Indian RIver County and northwestern St. Lucie County until 6:30 p.m. A severe thunderstorm 9 miles west of Fort Drum was moving east at 45 mph, according to AccuWeather.

AccuWeather warned of 60 mph wind gusts and half-dollar-sized hail.

5:05 p.m.: The tornado watch in Brevard County has been extended to Indian River, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. It is set to expire at 7 p.m.

A significant weather advisory is in place for Indian River, St. Lucie and northern Martin counties until 6:30 p.m.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will likely occur with some of the storms, according to AccuWeather. A few of the cells may become severe and produce damaging hail, damaging winds and frequent lightning. An isolated tornado will also be possible.

4:50 p.m.: Quarter-sized hail was reported in Brevard County as a strong line of thunderstorms continues to move across East Central Florida.

3:50 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for northern Brevard County until 4:30 p.m.

3:05 p.m.: Weather conditions prompt FAA to stop flights going in and out of Tampa International Airport.

2:50 p.m.: Severe storm moving quickly to the northeast over Goldenrod and approaching areas from UCF to Oviedo. Large hail up to golf ball size has occurred with the storms, so take shelter now.

2:33 p.m.: Tornado warning issued for Clermont, Minneola and Groveland until 3 p.m.

More: Severe weather, hot temperatures precede cold front on Treasure Coast

2:30 p.m.: Severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado over south Lake County in Mascotte, moving quickly to east-northeast. Includes Groveland, Ferndale and Clermont areas. Large hail and damaging winds also possible.

2:27 p.m.: Tornado warning has been issued for Orlando, Pine Hills and Altamonte Springs until 3 p.m.

2:18 p.m.: Severe storm approaching Winter Garden and Ocoee areas capable of producing large hail.

2:03 p.m.: Severe storm capable of producing a tornado is moving rapidly to the northeast across southern Lake and western Orange counties.

1:58 p.m.: Tornado warning has been issued until 2:30 p.m. for areas in Central Florida, including Ocoee, Winter Garden and Clermont.

1:15 p.m.: Vero Beach Airport has reached 90 degrees. This is the first time it has been 90 or warmer since Sept. 30, according to the National Weather Service.

1:10 p.m.: Other thunderstorms will develop and increase in coverage the mid to late afternoon, especially across areas north of a line from southern Lake County to the Four Corners to Cocoa Beach. Damaging wind gusts, large damaging hail and isolated tornadoes will be possible with the strongest cells.

Outside of thunderstorms, southwest winds will be gusty, reaching 30 and 35 mph at times. Temperatures will warm into the 80s in many areas.

12:52 p.m.: Strong to severe storms are forecast to arrive and move through the Treasure Coast between 6 and 10 p.m.

11 a.m.: Severe thunderstorm warning for Northeast Volusia has expired. There may be a brief lull in the activity, then strong to severe storms are expected this afternoon. Tornado watch remains in effect until 7 p.m. and includes the following counties: Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Osceola and Brevard.

10:40 a.m.: Severe thunderstorm approaching north Volusia County coast, including Ormond Beach and Ormond by the Sea. Take shelter indoors ahead of this storm.

10:23 a.m.: A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia until 7 p.m. The Treasure Coast is not included in the watch area, which extends south to Indian River County.

10:05 a.m.: Severe storm capable of producing a tornado rapidly approaching the coast from South Daytona and Port Orange south to Wilbur by the Sea and Ponce Inlet. Damaging gusts and hail also possible. Move indoors to a safe location.

10 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for Port Orange, South Daytona and Daytona Beach Shores until 10:30 a.m.

EARLIER STORY

Nearly record-breaking heat blanketed the Treasure and Space coasts Monday with temperatures reaching 89 degrees in Vero — a high last set in 2003 — and 90 degrees in Melbourne.

More: Where's spring? Storms to wallop both coasts with rain, snow

But Florida's spring weather pattern is expected to prove once again it is as indecisive as a couple choosing a movie on Netflix.

A front moving through overnight Tuesday will likely bring a major drop in temperatures. Highs on Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to remain in the low 70s during the day, while lows could hit the 40s when the sun goes down.

This isn't particularly remarkable for the Sunshine State, according to meteorologists.

"We’re starting out spring, so we can see some large ranges in temperatures," John Pendergast, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Melbourne said.

"It’s not too unusual to see temperatures in the 90s, then in the 40s and 50s."

More: Yes, another nor'easter could snarl flights; airlines are waiving change fees

More: Tornadoes and severe storms hit the South; more expected

But before Floridians bust out the mittens, meteorologists forecast a more traditional afternoon: thunderstorms and strong winds.

The Weather Service has issued an array of advisories for Central Florida as gusts could reach between 40 and 60 mph on the Space and Treasure coasts late this afternoon through dusk.

Damage to trees, power lines and property could result from these powerful squalls, according to meteorologists. The Treasure Coast may see isolated hail and one or two tornadoes, according to the Weather Service.

Northern Brevard is expected to experience more severe conditions, which could include damaging hail and a few tornadoes.

Boaters are urged to remain cautious while on the water as offshore waves could reach 7 to 9 feet.

Meteorologists are hopeful the expected storms will bring much-needed precipitation to the unusually dry conditions in Central Florida.

More: Update: Storm brings hail to northern Mississippi, spawns tornadoes across Southeast

"It's going to be critical as far as needing some rainfall," Pendergast said "We’re still in the throes of the traditional season in Florida, but this has been drier than the typical dry season."

It will be a temporary reprieve, however, as the cold wave is expected to bring dry, breezy conditions conducive for the spread of wildfires.

"We need to see more rain than what we’re experiencing today," Pendergast said. "This is just going to be some short-term relief."

Cooler conditions are expected to remain through the weekend, with temperatures hovering in the 60s and 70s into Monday.