The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of Florida along the Gulf Coast in a marginal risk area for severe weather for today. This area has a 2% chance of tornadoes. For the northern Gulf Coast the greatest threat will be late this evening into early Sunday.
For tomorrow, the risk area shifts to the west, with only the western most portion of the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama Panhandle in the risk area.
Without going into too much detail, tornadoes spawned by tropical weather along the coast are a little different than typical supercell tornadoes. In tropical cyclones, most often in the east or northeast feeder bands, mini-supercells (short rotating storms) will form over open water sometimes producing waterspouts. When these storms come ashore the interaction with land can create a tornado very quickly, almost right as the storm crosses the coast but sometime farther inland. Keep an eye out for Special Marine Warnings (SMWs) just offshore of your location. The NWS doesn't issue tornado warnings over water, they use SMWs instead. Often the text of the warning will state that waterspouts or strong winds are present with the storm. Not all tornado producing storms over land will have SMW associated with them over the water, but I would pay special attention to any warned storms over water and be prepared when they come ashore.
Keep alert for changing weather conditions, Have a good weekend and stay safe.
Chris
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