Flood watch in effect for areas of Collier County

The Weather Authority has continuing coverage of the widespread rain that has been drenching Southwest Florida since Monday morning.

Additional rainfall is expected throughout Wednesday evening.

Weather Authority Meteorologist Zach Maloch said, “The heavy rain will persist throughout Wednesday, with 1-4 inches expected through the evening. Road flooding will be possible this afternoon.”

According to the Weather Authority Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt, a confirmed tornado occurred this morning over a rural area of Big Cypress in eastern Collier County at around 10:26 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to Devitt, the tornado formed several miles southwest of the Miccosukee Service Plaza as debris, likely from trees, was lofted in the air.

This is the second Southwest Florida tornado of 2024 and the second within a week.

No damage occurred due to the tornado, so a rating was deemed unnecessary.

Due to a developing area of low pressure, Southwest Florida will experience breezy conditions with sustained wind speeds of around 10 to 20 mph.

The National Hurricane Center and the Weather Authority are also tracking a broad and elongated area of low pressure near the west-central coast of Florida, producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

There is currently a 20% chance of formation over the next seven days.

This system has moved little over the past few hours but is expected to move northeastward across Florida and offshore of the U.S. southeast coast within the next day or so.

Although upper-level winds are expected to be only marginally conducive, some slow development is possible while the system moves offshore of the U.S. Southeast coast.

Outside of the increased rainfall and wind, the formation has no significant impact on the Southwest Florida region.

Wind gusts for Wednesday may reach 30 mph, with higher winds along the coastline.

Another disturbance emerged late Wednesday morning that also has a 20% chance of development, but it is situated near Mexico and will only affect that area.

A flood watch continues across most of Southwest Florida through Thursday evening.

Temperatures will be on the cool side once again, with highs in the lower to mid-80s.

Thursday morning will begin with scattered to widespread rain and storms.

Our wet weather pattern continues for Thursday, with road flooding continuing to be a possibility.

We could see an additional 2 – 4 inches of rain across Southwest Florida for Thursday.

Temperatures will climb into the mid-80s for highs Thursday afternoon. 

Scattered rain and storms will be around the area for your Friday morning commute.

While the rain won’t be as widespread or as heavy as Wednesday and Thursday, we could still see impacts across the area through the day.

Highs Friday will be in the mid to upper 80s.

Rain finally looks to taper off by Friday evening with slightly drier conditions in the forecast for the weekend. 

WINK News has kept an eye on flooding throughout the area, as several areas are prone.

In Lee County, roads like Fowler Street in downtown Fort Myers have already experienced ponding due to the heavy rainfall.

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