TORNADO WATCH ISSUED

[weatherFrEaK]

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 798
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
755 PM EDT SAT SEP 4 2004

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

CENTRAL AND NORTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA
COASTAL WATERS

EFFECTIVE THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING FROM 755 PM UNTIL
800 AM EDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 0.5 INCH IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS
TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 80 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST
OF A LINE FROM 20 MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF GAINESVILLE FLORIDA TO
50 MILES SOUTH OF AVON PARK FLORIDA.

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.
PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE
WARNINGS.

DISCUSSION...RADAR TRENDS SUGGEST AN INCREASE IN CELLULAR CONVECTIVE
ACTIVITY OFF THE EAST COAST OF FL PENINSULA...NORTH OF EYE OF
HURRICANE FRANCES. VERY STRONG VERTICAL SHEAR PROFILES ARE IN PLACE
THROUGHOUT THE PENINSULA...SUGGESTING THAT THREAT OF ISOLATED
TORNADOES WILL INCREASE OVERNIGHT AS FRANCES MAKES LANDFALL.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 0.5 INCH. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND
GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 550.
MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 07040.

...HART

[PurdueWx80]

That is the longest tornado watch I have ever heard of! Makes perfect sense with the slow movement.

[dhweather]

I'm surprised it took this long to get a watch issued - there's been some significant bands come inland.

[Skywatch_NC]

Loooong night and another loooong day for peeps down there for sure.

Eric

[dhweather]

I really feel for the South FL folks, they have been and will be in hell for a while.

[weatherFrEaK]

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
809 PM EDT SAT SEP 4 2004

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MELBOURNE HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL BREVARD COUNTY
IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

* UNTIL 915 PM EDT

* AT 807 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
SEVERAL STORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TORNADOES OVER THE ATLANTIC
OFFSHORE CAPE CANAVERAL...MOVING WEST SOUTHWEST AT 65 MPH.

* THE STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO...
MOVE ONSHORE CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION AND KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
THROUGH 9 PM. IF THESE STORMS HOLD TOGETHER THEY WILL ALSO MOVE OVER
MERRITT ISLAND.

TORNADOES ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL CYCLONES ARE OFTEN WRAPPED IN
HEAVY RAIN AND ARE HARD TO SEE OR HEAR UNTIL THEY ARE VERY CLOSE. DO
NOT GET CAUGHT OFFGUARD!

IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO...THE SAFEST PLACE IS IN A STRONG
BUILDING ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM AND KEEP AWAY
FROM WINDOWS.

IF YOU ARE IN AN RV PARK...LEAVE YOUR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. MANY
PARKS HAVE CENTRALIZED BUILDINGS SUCH AS REC CENTERS...POOL HOUSES...
COMMUNITY SHOWERS AND BATHS...OR A MAIN OFFICE WHICH CAN OFFER BETTER
PROTECTION.