Heavy storms, tornadoes could make landfall Saturday in SWFL: Here's what to expect.

Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

Heavy storms and tornadoes could strike again across Southwest Florida on Saturday, the National Weather Service confirmed.

On Friday, amid heavy storms and traffic delays across Southwest Florida, a tornado touched down in Lee County near Winkler Road at approximately 5 p.m., said Christianne Pearce, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

"We haven't sent anybody out there yet for actual confirmation of what type of tornado or anything like that," Pearce said.

The National Weather Service said commuters should expect severe weather Saturday, which could include heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes across Southwest Florida.
The National Weather Service said commuters should expect severe weather Saturday, which could include heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes across Southwest Florida.

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Pearce said that based on media and local community submissions, it seemed as if Friday's tornado touched down near Winkler Road and Gladiolus Drive.

As for Saturday, she said it's going to be a very similar setup.

Pearce added that rain, which could be heavy at times, is expected Saturday afternoon into the evening hours.

"We're not in a slight or marginal risk for anything severe weather-wise, but just like we saw yesterday, things can change," Pearce said.

Commuters Saturday should expect thunderstorms like those experienced yesterday or occasional strong breezes, Pearce said.

That could include a slight chance for pea-sized hail, but as for tornadoes, Pearce emphasized the forecast is very similar to Friday.

"If you have a weather radio, that's always the best thing when it comes to severe weather, especially if there are any tornado warnings, that is going to go straight to those weather radios," Pearce said. "If you get any of those alerts, that's when you need to go to the safe spot in your houses."

Pearce added that if commuters are on the road at the time, the best option is to pull over and get somewhere safe quickly.

"Just be alert all the time, especially when there's thunderstorms in Florida," Pearce said. "Sometimes you have tornadoes pop up like that."

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Follow him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW FL weather: Severe storms, tornadoes could make landfall Saturday