SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDAN
Published: May 11, 2008

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Jackson County and the surrounding area until 12 p.m. CDT (Noon) Sunday.

An unusually strong cold front for this time of year is advancing rapidly southeast across the region today and this evening, according to a report from the weather service.

Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will precede the cold front. The combination of a warm and humid air mass and strong winds will create a condition that is favorable for long-lived rotating thunderstorms.

Some of these storms could produce large hail, damaging winds and even isolated tornadoes.

As drier air moves into the region later today, the rain will subside.

Windy conditions will also pose a hazard to boaters on area lakes. There is also a high risk of rip currents today along the beaches.