Tropical Storm Debby continued gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and is expected to gain strength before making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area. Here is a look at the latest storm news from Lakeland and Polk County, as well as coverage from throughout the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida.
Tornado activity?
Polk County is among several counties up the center of the state included in a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Sunday as Debby’s outer bands sweep through the area.
According to the National Weather Service and Tampa Bay-are TV stations, several short-lived tornado watches were issued Sunday afternoon as cells moving into Polk from Hardee County showed circulation that could spawn tornadoes. Funnel clouds were seen in the Wauchula and Fort Meade area Sunday afternoon, but there were no reports of touchdown.
According to the Lake Wales News, a funnel cloud appeared over Lake Wales Sunday afternoon but soon dissipated.
The forecast from the National Weather Service in Tampa. Lakeland is under a flood watch through Monday with 4 to 6 inches of rainfall possible.
Forecast at Lakeland airport
This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 84. Windy, with a south southeast wind around 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 84. Windy, with a south southwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 88. Windy, with a west southwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Live video: See Tropical Storm Debby’s effects on live cams from across the state
Forecast for Winter Haven
From the National Weather Service Tampa:
This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 87. Windy, with a south southeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 78. Windy, with a south southeast wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 87. Heat index values as high as 97. Windy, with a south wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Breezy, with a south wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. High near 91. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Low around 79. Breezy, with a southwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Have updates?
Are you seeing funnel clouds or significant flooding in your area? Let us know. Have pictures? Please send them to newstips@theledger.com. Please include the time it was taken and the most detailed location possible.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Tropical Storm Debby updates: What’s happening in Lakeland and Polk?
