A Severe Thunderstorm warning has been canceled for Polk and Highlands counties.
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued for all of Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties as storms are expected to roll over southwest Florida Wednesday evening.
The Severe Storm Watch is in effect until 9 p.m. as storms will wind down after sunset.
The watch was issued for the cities of Arcadia, Avon Park, Bowling Green, Bushnell, Lake Panasoffkee, Lakeland, Placid Lakes, Sebring, The Villages, Wauchula, Wildwood, Winter Haven, and Zolfo Springs.
The Storm Prediction Center placed parts of the area in an ‘enhanced risk’ for severe storms. That is a level three out of five on their threat scale. Residents are recommended to have a way of receiving warnings if they are issued.
Storms are already developing along the I-75 corridor and are beginning to push inland. The east and west coast sea breezes will merge over Polk, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The strongest storms this evening will have the possibility to produce strong, possibly damaging winds, and large hail. There is also a low risk for an isolated tornado but the main hazards today will be large hail in some of the strongest storms.
This is a developing story. A previous version of this story can be found below. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – During the late afternoon and evening storms develop mostly east of I-75.
Some of these storms have the potential to produce strong gusty wind and small hail, so there is a small threat for severe storms, especially in the center of the state.
It’s a similar day tomorrow with another round of mostly inland afternoon storms. The rain chance is highest on Friday. That’s when we could see downpours start early in the day and pass through multiple times.
We are a little drier Saturday afternoon, but the rain chance increases again on Sunday to 70% with a cold front arriving.
The front will help bring in less humid air. The rain chances drop next week, but it’ll only be slightly cooler.
