HOLT, Fla., Jan. 6, 2024—A strong storm system is expected to move across the area late Monday into Tuesday morning.

The forecast area is in a level 2 out of 5 for severe weather with storms capable of producing damaging winds up to 60 mph and tornadoes.

However, predicting just how severe the storms will be is proving difficult for National Weather Service forecasters due to the uncertainty of the approaching system.

According to the NWS forecaster in the 4:32 p.m. notes, it’s going to be a “heckin chonker of a system that’s going to bring a lot of rain and a lot of wind.”

But as to just how severe, it’s still too early to predict, according to the NWS. The question facing forecasters is whether instability in the approaching system will overcome intense wind shear values, or whether wind shear rip apart any supercells that form.

Rain is likely to begin Monday afternoon and persist throughout the overnight hours, according to the forecast. 

“Rain may become intermittent for a brief period before the final line of storm pushes through early Tuesday morning,” according to the NWS forecast,  and clear out around noon.

“Given how dynamic this system is, we expect a plethora of hazards to come,” reported the forecaster.

Winds will pick up Monday night into Tuesday. Expect frequent gusts in excess of 40 mph inland and up to 50 mph near the coast.

Winds mixed with heavy rainfall could lead to the potential for falling trees and power outages, possibly before any potential thunderstorms arrive, according to the NWS.

A wind advisory will likely be issued in the next couple of days.

“All and all Monday night into Tuesday looks to be impactful for our area with or without strong thunderstorms,” reported the forecaster. “If the environment comes together then it could be the full gambit of impacts.”

NWS forecast