Fresh Tornado Warning for Jacksonville, Florida, Amidst Severe Storm Activity
The core severe/tornado threat from the Jacksonville, FL supercell is moving offshore.
— Weather Track US (@weathertrackus) December 2, 2023
A big batch of rain & storms is moving in, with mostly a flooding threat.#flwx #weather pic.twitter.com/cGIJBBHhZI
This evening, a new tornado warning has been issued for Jacksonville, Florida, following earlier alerts for various areas this afternoon. The warning for Jacksonville is effective until 5:30 pm, triggered by radar detection of a tornado in the vicinity. The affected area is densely populated, encompassing 285,102 residents, 78 schools, and five hospitals. Simultaneously, a warning is also in effect for Duval County, expiring at 5:45 pm.
Reports indicate a strong rotation near Marietta and Lackawanna, capable of generating a tornado at any moment. Earlier today, residents in Baker and Columbia County were urged to seek shelter until 4 pm, extending the warning to Lake City, Warertown, and Five Points, Florida. Social media shared videos portraying torrential conditions on Florida’s highways, including footage hinting at the early stages of a funnel forming among the clouds.
Tornado Warning including Jacksonville FL until 5:30 PM EST pic.twitter.com/77Az1L7tKH
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) December 2, 2023
For those in tornado-warning areas, the safest locations are basements or designated safe rooms. Interior rooms without windows are also recommended. Residents are advised to ensure the safety of their pets if time allows.
The National Weather Service Jacksonville reports that the warned areas may experience hail the size of peas and winds reaching up to 60 mph. Notably, December is forecasted to be wetter than usual for South Florida, with a 70% above-normal chance of rainfall, deviating from the typical dry season spanning October to May.
Several social media clips capture the severe weather conditions, showcasing heavy rainfall and strong winds along Florida’s highways. The thunderstorm with tornado potential is situated near Taylor, approximately 20 miles north of Raiford.
Heavy rain and lightning is coming down in Jacksonville where a tornado warning remains in effect. A new circulation is developing south of the metro now. pic.twitter.com/1PqqZjOKwO
— Meteorologist Ian Cassette (@iancassette_wx) December 2, 2023
While tornado occurrences in Florida are more common in spring and summer, they can happen throughout the year. Spring tornadoes tend to be more powerful and deadly, but tornadoes caused by severe supercells along a squall line ahead of a cold front can also manifest in winter.
Over the last 24 hours, heavy rain has battered the Gulf Coast, prompting flood warnings across Florida, Louisiana, and New Orleans
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