FL Forecast: Timeline For Cold Front, Storms This Weekend

FLORIDA — Residents in Florida will notice a big change in the weather this weekend as a bomb cyclone in the forecast pushes a strong cold front along the East Coast, bringing with it a wide range of hazardous weather conditions to the Sunshine State.

Bomb cyclones, which don't happen often in Florida, occur when barometric pressure readings drop in excess of 24 mb over a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service.

When this happens, they can bring with it a variety of weather patterns, anything from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy rain.

North Florida

Currently, parts of northeast Florida remain under a flood watch until Saturday morning. Heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches is in the forecast, which could lead to flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

The following areas are included in the watch: Bradford, Coastal Duval, Coastal, Nassau, Eastern Alachua, Eastern Clay, Inland Nassau, South, Central Duval, Trout River, Western Alachua, Western Clay and Western Duval.

See more on the National Weather Service page for the Jacksonville region.

Central Florida

Meanwhile, scattered lightning storms will develop and move east to northeast at 25 to 35 mph across east-central Florida through Friday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service, the main threats will include frequent lightning, small hail, gusty winds 40 to 50 mph and locally heavy downpours.

There will be the potential for isolated severe storms, producing quarter-sized hail and localized damaging gusts up to 60 mph, mainly from Kissimmee, Orlando and Titusville.

Hazardous boating conditions will develop ahead of the cold front early Saturday and expand
across the waters, continuing Sunday behind the frontal passage, the National Weather Service reports.

Expect significantly colder temperatures late Saturday night behind the cold front with air temperatures in the mid- to upper-30s along and to the west of the I-4 corridor, with wind chill readings possible in the lower to mid-30s inland to northern Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties.

See more on the National Weather Service page for the Melbourne-Orlando region.

South Florida

In south Florida, the National Weather Service reports that thunderstorms are expected across the area on Saturday.

Thunderstorms will be capable of producing strong gusty winds, isolated tornadoes, small hail, locally heavy rains and frequent deadly lightning strikes.

On Saturday, atmospheric conditions will be favorable for waterspout development. Mariners should be on the lookout for waterspouts, the National Weather Service warns.

On Sunday morning, freezing temperatures will be possible over the Nature Coast.

Here are forecasts for Sarasota, Tampa, Miami, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Lakeland.