Flood watch covers Tallahassee into Monday as heavy rain, tornado risk loom

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The National Weather Service extended a Flood Watch to Tallahassee and Leon County at about 2 a.m. Sunday, covering the area until 8 a.m. Monday. Forecasters say rain bands moving in from the Gulf can produce downpours of 2 to 3 inches per hour, with 2 to 6 inches of total rainfall possible across the watch area; counties to the west, including the western Panhandle, are expected to see the highest totals. WCTV's own forecast agrees, putting most of the Big Bend and south Georgia under the same watch with locally higher amounts possible. The weather service is urging drivers to avoid flooded roadways, repeating its reminder: turn around, don't drown.

Flood watch and rain timeline

1. Sunday, Oct. 4, early morning

   Flood Watch extended to Tallahassee and Leon County through 8 a.m. Monday; rain rates of 2-3 inches per hour

2. Sunday, Oct. 4, afternoon-evening

   Rain increases in coverage and becomes more persistent overnight; isolated brief tornado risk

3. Monday, Oct. 5

   Flood Watch continues until 8 a.m.; 2 to 6 inches of total rainfall possible

4. Tuesday, Oct. 6

   Scattered showers continue, not an all-day rain, as a front approaches

5. Wednesday-Thursday

   Front pushes south; drier northeast winds up to 20 mph, lower humidity

6. Late next week

   Below-normal temperatures; highs upper 70s-low 80s, lows in the 50s inland

Source: tallahassee.com; wctv.tv

Tornado risk and dangerous rip currents

Forecasters are also monitoring the potential for a brief tornado or two on Sunday, a risk tied to the combination of deep tropical moisture and changing winds with height, though it remains far less concerning than the flooding threat. At Gulf beaches, rip currents are expected to be dangerous through the weekend, with red flags likely through early next week; swimming is not advised.

How the rain unfolds this week

WCTV meteorologists say Sunday's rain increases from late morning through the afternoon and becomes more persistent overnight. Showers continue into Tuesday, though it won't be an all-day rain; a front then pushes south, bringing a drier, breezier northeast wind with gusts up to 20 mph through Thursday and cutting rain chances midweek. By late next week, temperatures are expected to stay below normal, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and overnight lows dropping into the 50s in some inland areas.