SEVERE WEATHER

A dangerous winter storm combining high winds and ice is blasting through parts of the U.S. Southeast.

A massive storm moving through the Deep South and eventually up into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will bring windy and much colder weather into Central Florida Sunday.

A massive winter storm will likely take shape across the southern U.S. this weekend.

A weak cold front will increase rain and storm chances to 30% later Sunday.

On the heels of last Friday’s historic tornado outbreak in the nation’s heartland, another round of severe weather is possible in the U.S.

With Florida bracing for Hurricane Elsa and a long hurricane season still ahead (it runs through Nov. 1, so be patient!), we thought we’d ask: What storm-related advice do you wish you had received sooner?

It’s quite a daunting task, to ready yourself for a severe weather situation when you have a new baby in tow.

When weather teams issue forecasts, they come with certain specifics to help people understand what’s happening.

Officials say a tornado touched down in Ocala over the weekend.

Strong storms are moving through Central Florida.

Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center highlighted some of the same areas as last week’s outbreak with their rare high risk tag for the likelihood of another tornado outbreak. The high risk category is the highest level on the Storm Prediction Center’s outlook scale and reserved for the most extreme severe weather outbreaks. Severe weather setupThis outbreak has the potential to be even worse than last Wednesday’s outbreak of severe weather. Any discrete, kidney bean-shaped cell in the future radar has the potential to produce long-lived strong tornadoes. These storms will not move into Central Florida as a strong area of high pressure forces these storms to stay north of our area.

Parts of the Deep South are in highlighted in a rare high risk. ORLANDO, Fla. – The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Deep South in a rare “high risk” for severe weather. A severe weather threat, like the one unfolding Wednesday, only occurs once or twice a year, on average. AdThe severe weather threat moves east Thursday. Severe threat ThursdayA few strong storms will be possible Thursday evening and early Friday across Central Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. – An unsettled weather pattern will bring the chance for rain and storms back to Central Florida for the weekend. Weekend setupSaturday stormsBehind the storms Saturday morning, most of the rest of the day will be on the drier side with just a few exceptions. AdFuture radar Saturday eveningSunday stormsAnother round of storms, a few potentially strong, will come back into the picture Sunday. A round of rain looks to move through Central Florida early Sunday morning. The unsettled weather with the potential for a few stronger storms continues Monday.

The Tornado Watch that had been in effect has been allowed to expire for all of Central Florida. SEVERE WEATHER THREAT SUNDAY MORNINGA cold front is moving through Central Florida producing downpours and storms. A few storms could be strong through the late morning, but the severe threat is lowering across Central Florida. An isolated damaging wind gust or brief tornado is still possible southeast of I-4, but the severe weather threat has come to an end along and northwest of I-4. Future radarMost of Central Florida is dry by noon.

At approximately 10 a.m. Feb. 3, all National Weather Service offices serving Florida will issue a practice tornado warning. AdThe practice tornado warning will be canceled at 10:30 a.m. If severe weather threatens Florida Wednesday, the test will be moved to Feb. 5. School districts, private schools, pre-schools and daycare centers are urged to participate in Wednesday’s drill by enacting their severe weather plan. As a family, come up with a safe meeting place to go to in the event a tornado warning is issued.

The combination of record-breaking wildfire and hurricane seasons to intense severe weather events led to 22 billion-dollar disasters across the country, the most on record. Map of approximate location of 2020's Billion-Dollar Disasters. A record shattering 22 billion-dollar disasters occurred in 2020. Top 5 billion-dollar disasters of 2020. The average annual billion-dollar disasters from 1980-2020 is 7.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The coldest air Central Florida has felt in almost three years will be ushered in by a strong cold front Christmas Eve. While the coldest of the air doesn’t settle in until Saturday morning, the chill will blast in late Christmas Eve. By dinner Christmas Eve, a line of thunderstorms will be approaching the I-75 corridor. Scattered rain and storms will be possible through the predawn hours of Christmas Day. Sunshine returns for all later Christmas morning, but it will be windy and very cold.

By the end of September, the United States had been hit with a total of 16 natural disasters that have each caused over $1 billion worth of damage. 2020 top three costliest weather events:Hurricane Laura: $14 billion Midwest severe weather derecho: $7.5 billion Hurricane Isaias: $4.5 billionSo far, the United States has seen over $46 billion worth of damage from these natural disasters. There has been a mention that Delta could be added to the list of billion-dollar weather events in the upcoming weeks. Trend Showing the Billion-Dollar Disaster Events in the past 20 yearsIn the past 20 years, there has been a steady upward trend in these damaging weather events. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, 2020 is the sixth consecutive year in which 10 or more billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events have impacted the United States.

Whether you just moved somewhere that gets threatened by hurricanes often or you’re just an avid weather-follower, of course you want to be in the know. Latest track? Yes, there is some science jargon involved here, so some terms might be easier to understand than others. But regardless, we tried to break it down for you in a way that’s easy to read and digestible. For more information, visit this website from the National Hurricane Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which provided the following definitions.

But regardless where you’re located or what types of weather your region regularly experiences, it’s always best to remain vigilant. When it comes to hurricanes and big storms, there’s always so much talk about how to prepare the insides of our homes. Therefore, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, he added. “There’s nothing wrong with being too careful.”So, the next time a big storm’s coming to town, walk around the exterior of your house, your property or your yard. You could even turn this into a project, moving just a few belongings a day, leading up to the storm.

If you’re not a scientist, a person who follows the weather or a storm-tracker, then it might seem random: Why do some tropical systems turn into hurricanes, and why do others fall apart?

ORLANDO, Fla. National Weather Service survey teams have confirmed the damage in DeLand Tuesday was that of an EF-2 tornado. Winds were estimated to be between 105-115 mph and the 550-yard- wide twister caused damages along a 4.6 mile path of DeLand. Tornado intensity scaleThe National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a tornado warning for central Volusia county at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday. Strong couplet (red close to green) where more significant damage is being reported on Plymouth Ave. and Woodland Blvd. Hope everyone is ok. pic.twitter.com/dsKzFOqEhb Jonathan Kegges (@JonathanKegges) August 18, 2020The National Weather Service is completing their damage assessment and will release all of the details of Tuesdays tornado when complete.

A carrying crateWhen dangerous weather hits, it’s a good idea to have a pet carrying crate for your animal so you know they will be safe inside. Freeman suggests doing some pre-crate training so when an emergency strikes, it’s not your animal’s first time going in. That means having an ID on the collar, or one step further: making sure your pet is microchipped. A pet emergency kitHaving an emergency kit on hand in case something disastrous happens will save you so much stress in the long run. That’s another reason why having a pet carrier can keep your dog or cat out of harm’s way.

Fla.- Meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Melbourne were in Orange County Sunday morning surveying the damage after Saturdays tornadoes. It was determined an EF-1 touched down Saturday near Ferncreek and Lake Margaret. The tornado began as a waterspout on Lake Conway and lifted near Lake Lawsona. Majority of the tornado damage was EF-0 to trees with several falling on homes according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott SpratMore information is expected from the National Weather Service.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A line of storms along a cold front pushed through Central Florida Thursday morning, bringing heavy rain and the threat for lightning and possible strong winds with it during pre-dawn hours. The rain began in Marion County, where a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect until 2 a.m.After the first round of storms, rain continued to fall throughout the morning ahead of another possible round of storms Thursday afternoon. As the cold front crosses after lunch, a few more storms could re-develop, mainly southeast of I-4. A few of the storms could be strong with damaging wind, heavy rain and lightning the main threats. Behind the cold front Thursday evening, cooler, less-humid air returns, along with temperatures in the low 80s.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A cold front moved through Central Florida Friday, bringing strong storms and the risk of tornadoes with it. A tornado watch was in effect for all of Central Florida until 11 a.m. but has since expired. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. According to News 6 meteorologists, the best chance for severe weather, including tornadoes, was through noon. Earlier this week, tornadoes touched down near Ocala and Sanford and straight-line winds downed trees in DeLand.

ORLANDO, Fla.- – Round one of heavy rain and storms will push out of Central Florida by 2 p.m. After a couple of hours of dry weather Saturday afternoon, another round of rain and storms will be possible, this time, more scattered in nature. StormsThe round of strong storms Saturday morning has zapped a lot of the energy out of the atmosphere significantly reducing the severe weather threat for the afternoon/evening round of storms. On an isolated scale a damaging wind gust is still possible, but most of the storms that move in through Saturday evening should stay below severe levels. Stay weather aware by downloading the pinpoint weather app. If you safely take pictures, upload them to the PinIt section of the app.

A few storms could be strong with heavy rain and lightning the main threats. Severe threatThe best chance for storms and severe weather will be from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Storm chances fade overnight. A weakening line of storms moving in from the west could enter Central Florida Monday bringing with it the chance for a few more strong storms. StormsStormsThe week ahead stays hot and unsettled with highs around 90 through Wednesday. Elevated rain and storm chances continue for much of the week ahead.

ORLANDO, Fla.- – It could be a dangerous day for the Upper Midwest , specifically from parts of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois to Indiana and Ohio. Along with damaging wind and large hail, the threat for strong, long-track tornadoes exists southwest of Chicago. StormsParts of the region have been highlighted in the moderate risk category by the Storm Prediction Center, the second-highest risk from the center. An upgrade to the rare high risk category is possible later Saturday according to the SPC. Temperatures range from the 30s and 40s in the northern-tier of the country to the 90s in parts of Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The unsettled weather pattern that has kept most of Florida locked in the clouds will continue through the first part of the weekend. A few severe thunderstorms will be possible around Lake Okeechobee and points south Friday evening. The severe threat will continue to focus on South Florida Saturday, but shifts further north closer to Fort Pierce and Fort Meyers. Damaging wind will be the main threat with the highest likelihood for severe thunderstorms in the yellow shaded areas. The strongest storms will develop along a warm front that will park itself over South Florida Friday night through Saturday afternoon.

DeLand, Fla. – Residents and crews are cleaning up around their homes after Saturday's severe weather left behind destruction across Central Florida. This comes a day after the National Weather Service received reports of storm damage in Leesburg and DeLand due to strong storms that moved through Central Florida. The NWS is expected to go out to Leesburg and DeLand on Monday to determine if a tornado caused the damage. READ NEXT: Severe storms leave trail of damage in Central Florida | Here’s why you should pay attention to all severe weather warningsHe said they currently don't have any electricity or water in the building. City officials report $20,000 worth of damage was done to their facilities, including the little league complex and a water plant.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The National Weather Service received reports of storm damage in Leesburg and DeLand after strong storms moved through Central Florida. Witnesses told the NWS that they saw a tornado touch down and cause damage in DeLand, but the NWS hasn’t confirmed. The City of DeLand shared pictures to their Twitter account showing the damage that was caused by the severe storms. VFW 2380 roof damage“Crews are still assessing damage, but there are multiple spots that sustained damage in DeLand. Deputies observed several homes that had sustained roof damage, damage to siding, or damaged carports and they saw numerous trees down throughout the community,” officials said.

A strong cold front passing through Central Florida on Saturday, brought heavy rain, lightning and damaging wind. Make sure you stay weather aware through the morning,” News 6 meteorologist Jonathan Kegges said. “The worst of the weather will move in from the early morning through about 9 or 10 a.m.,” Kegges said. Radar showed a strong line of storms stretching across the entire Florida peninsula as it approached the Orlando area. GF Default - After severe weather, here's what to expect rest of weekendOnce the storms pass through the Orlando area, highs will reach the upper 70s.