Hail, heavy rain reported throughout Central Florida

Severe weather pounds region Tuesday afternoon, evening

ORLANDO, Fla. – The News 6 Pinpoint Weather team has been pinpointing a potent storm system that moved into the Orlando area Tuesday afternoon.

Significant Weather Advisories were in effect for multiple portions of Central Florida during the afternoon and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

All of Central Florida was under a Tornado Watch until 7 p.m. and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect for parts of Volusia County until 6 p.m. 

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Advisories were also in place for Flagler, Northeastern Lake and Northern Volusia counties until 5:15 p.m. Possible threats included dime-sized hail and winds gusting up to 50 mph.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were in effect for Polk County until 5 p.m. and Flagler County until 5:15 p.m. The warning for Flagler County was canceled at 5:05 p.m.

[Pictures: Severe weather in Central Florida on March 20, 2018]

A tornado warning was issued for Orange, Seminole and Lake counties until 3 p.m. The tornado warning in Lake County was canceled just after 2:50 p.m.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were also in effect for Seminole and Orange counties until 3:15 p.m. The warning for Orange County was extended until 3:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

All flights out of Orlando International Airport have been grounded amid the severe weather, officials said.

Departures and arrival times were being slowed by the stop. Find out if you your flight is delayed using the flight tracker below.

[RELATED:  Track OIA flight delays, cancellations |Check your OIA flight status]

Airport officials did not say when they were expected to resume regular operations.

[Tornado safety tips: How can you keep yourself safe?]

The worst of the system is expected to move through the area between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m, bringing lightning, strong wind gusts and heavy rain. Hail and a few tornadoes are also possible, Bridges said.

"With an enhanced risk of severe weather, there is the likelihood of numerous severe thunderstorms with hail 2 inches or greater as well as damaging winds and a few isolated tornadoes," Bridges said.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued at 9:28 a.m. for Northern Volusia County until 10:15 a.m. A tornado warning is also in place for parts of Volusia County until 10:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Another Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for parts of Volusia County until 11 a.m.

High temperatures, reaching the mid-80s ahead of the front, are working with the energy and moisture in place to fire up the storms in the afternoon hours.

Orlando will warm to 84 degrees Tuesday with an 80 percent coverage of showers and storms. The average high in Orlando this time of year is 79 degrees.

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Even after the showers some areas saw Monday, there is still a deficit of rainfall. Marion County saw nearly 4 inches of rain. Orlando saw .29 inches, putting the deficit at 4.05 inches since January.

Rain will leave the forecast late Tuesday, with the area staying dry Wednesday through the upcoming weekend.

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"Expect highs in the low 70s Wednesday and Thursday, with morning lows in the 40s and 50s across the Orlando area," Bridges said.

By Friday, temperatures will reach the mid-70s. Expect temperatures in the low and mid-80s for the weekend, with morning lows in the 50s and low 60s.

 

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