Update: Weather experts canceled a tornado watch issued earlier for the Treasure Coast after a strong line of storms moved offshore, said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. The watch went into effect at 7 p.m. and was lifted just after 10 p.m., Kelly said.
Earlier story:
TREASURE COAST — Weather experts issued a tornado watch late Tuesday as a strong line of thunderstorms steadily makes its way eastbound to Indian River County. The watch means there’s a chance that tornadoes could form in the designated areas, along with possible hail and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, meteorologists said.
“The storms are expected to move into Indian River County over the next hour or two,” said Will Ulrich, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. “The storms will carry damaging wind gusts more than 60 mph.”
The tornado watch – issued for the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County – went into effect at 7 p.m. was expected to last until 11 p.m. Ulrich said the advisory could be lifted as weather experts continue to monitor the storm’s movements.
“The watch may not go all the way to 11 p.m.,” Ulrich said. “We’ll evaluate the storms every hour.”
A gale warning remains in effect for Indian River County until 4 a.m. Wednesday, meteorologists said.
“We hope there aren’t any small crafts operating out there (in the water),” Ulrich said.
Ulrich said residents should have multiple ways to receive warnings, whether from television, social media or mobile phone alerts.
“Hunker down and let the storm pass,” Ulrich said. “Don’t venture outside if you don’t have to.”