INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A tornado touched down in an open field in western Indian River County Saturday afternoon, weather officials confirmed.
The tornado came after forecasters issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Indian River County. The alert indicated the storm could bring up to 60 mph winds, penny-sized hail and a possible tornado.
No injuries or damage was reported, National Weather Service in Melbourne officials said.
The tornado touched down about 3 p.m. five miles southwest of Pointe West, National Weather Service in Melbourne Meteorologist Matt Bragaw said. The tornado landed in a rural area west of Interstate 95 and east of Florida’s Turnpike.
The tornado traveled less than a quarter-mile before it dissipated, Bragaw said. Several spectators spotted the funnel-shaped windstorm before it disappeared.
Besides a brief tornado, Indian River County will also experience some showers.
Weather forecasters predicted a 50 to 70 percent chance for rainfall Saturday. The afternoon will have a high temperature near 80 degrees while the evening will have a low temperature near 75 degrees.
Saturday will be mostly cloudy. Sunday, however, will be partly sunny, according to National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Sunday will have a 50 percent chance for showers. The day will have a high temperature near 88 degrees while the evening will have a low temperature near 75 degrees.
South winds for both days will be between 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph, forecasters said.