Weather Authority Alert: Strong to severe storms track East tonight

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the Weather Authority Alert continues Saturday, the National Weather continues to watch to severe storms track east northeast across Northeast Florida.

A Tornado Watch is in effect for Union, Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties until midnight.

For the differences between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning, see the graphic below.

The Weather Authority Alert, which runs from 4-9 p.m., was triggered by heavy, disruptive rain and the potential for isolated severe thunderstorms.

A Special Marine Warning, including the coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach to 20 NM out is in effect until 7 p.m.

Chief Meteorologist John Gaughan says to expect “possible localized flooding and general disruptive weather,” adding that more than two inches of rain could fall in some people’s back yards, while everyone else will see up to an inch of rain.

Danielle’s forecast | 4D Exact Track Radar | Watches/Warnings

We’ll see a round of passing showers Saturday morning, a break in the rain for most areas midday, and then a more widespread and heavy round of showers and possibly thunderstorms pushing across our area from 4 to 9 p.m.

The heaviest rainfall areas will be along and to the south of Interstate 10, and we expect it to rain for three to five hours, inconveniencing many of us on Saturday evening.

Those south of the I-10 corridor have an increased chance to see a strong to severe thunderstorm. Impacts include heavy rainfall, damaging winds, small hail, and a slight chance for an isolated tornado.

Temperatures on Saturday will differ by about 10 degrees, with chillier mid-50s for a high in southeast Georgia and milder mid-60s across our southernmost counties.