Tornado Watch expiring for southern Jacksonville counties

Update 5:20 a.m. Severe storms end with light to moderate rain lasting through sunrise. Much less opportunity for severe weather today. Exception will be later in the morning around north central Florida. Southern areas of Putnam, Marion and Clay counties could continue to see thunderstorms through the afternoon. While sporadic showers are still possible later today across SEGA and NEFLA.

Update at 4:30 a.m. Severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 5 am for St. Johns and Putnam counties. Winds to 60 mph are possible from Hastings to St. Augustine for a storm moving to the coast at 50 mph. An update to the tornado watch now excludes Alachua county. Severe weather threat is over for Jacksonville but expect lighter rain to continue up until 7am.

Update at 2:00 a.m.

Another tornado watch for parts of Northeast Florida, this time mainly our Southern counties from Alachua to Putnam to Flagler. This new tornado watch is in effect until 11 a.m., but mainly for those counties in Central Florida.

The worst of the storms for Jacksonville, will come from their heavy downpours, gusty winds, decent amount of lightning/thunder. Rainfall will be the greatest impacting element, as some places around Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties may see up to 3″ of rain. And that is just this morning. Most areas will see about another inch as the rains and downpours move through until about 10 a.m.

Later today, after lunch, skies should clear allowing for some afternoon sunshine and warmer temperatures. Highs will be in the low 80s across the area.

Update at 12:00 a.m.

The tornado watch for parts of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia has expired.

Update at 10:40 p.m.

The National Weather Service cancelled the Tornado Warning for Alachua, Bradford, Clay counties.

The Tornado Watch was canceled for Baker, Columbia and Nassau counties in Florida, and Camden and Charlton counties in Georgia.

The Tornado Watch continued in Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Gilchrist, Putnam, St. Johns, Union continues. It was expected to expire at midnight.

Update at 10:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Tornado Warning for Bradford County, Northeastern Alachua, South central Union, and West central Clay Counties until 10:45 p.m.

At 10:08 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Worthington Spring, moving east at 40 mph.

Primary concerns, a tornado and flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near:

• New River and Beasley around 10:20 p.m.
• Sampson around 10:25 p.m.
• Starke around 10:40 p.m.
• Kingsley and Camp Blanding around 10:45 p.m.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Lawtey, La Crosse, Waldo, Hampton and Brooker.

Update at 9:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Tornado Warning for Northeastern Gilchrist County, west central Bradford County, Northwestern Alachua County, south central Columbia County in northern Florida until 10:15 p.m.

At 9:33 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Bell, moving east at 30 mph.

Primary concern: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near:

• High Springs around 9:55 p.m.
• Alachua around 10:10 p.m.
• Gainesville around 10:15 p.m.

Update at 9:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Tornado Warning for West central Columbia and Southeastern Suwannee County until 9:30 p.m.

At 8:56 p.m, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 13 miles northwest of Bell, moving east at 45 mph.

The primary concern is a tornado and flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near:

Obrien around 9 p.m., Mcalpin around 9:05, and Columbia around 9:30.

Previous story:

A Tornado Watch was issued until midnight for Northeast Florida and parts of Southeast Georgia for a line of severe thunderstorms that are tracking rapidly eastward from Tallahassee to Jacksonville.

Timing would be I-75 (Lake City) around 9:15 p.m. then into the Jacksonville area around 10:30 p.m.

Biggest threat will be high winds, 40 to 60 mph, heavy rains, some hail and of course possible tornadoes.

The threat of these tornadoes will be through at least midnight.

Later tonight the severe threat fades and the rain threat builds. Rains could be heavy from 5 am until 11 am on Friday.