An early spring-like storm system brewing along the Gulf Coast is poised to bring spring-like thunderstorms to Florida today, with the potential for some strong to severe boomers.

Low pressure is brewing across the Deep South and northern Gulf of Mexico this afternoon, drawing warm and humid air into the Florida Peninsula. At the same time, cold air is streaming southward through the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys.

For interior portions of the Southeast, this witches’ brew of air masses will lead to a wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain tonight into Sunday. However, along the southern and eastern fringes of the low, the weather is far more spring-like. Powerful thunderstorms are already forming in the muggy air mass in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and are poised to move into Florida this afternoon and tonight.

The greatest risk of severe thunderstorms will be between the Interstate 10 and Interstate 4 corridors, including cities such as Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Daytona Beach. Here, wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph are likely, along with the potential for a few tornadoes. Cities along and south of the Interstate 4 corridor, including Tampa and Orlando will see their storm chances delayed until late this evening, so the risk is minutely less.

Whether you’re attending Florida or Florida State home basketball games today, or you’re prepping for Daytona Speedweeks, it would be wise to keep an eye on the sky and take cover if dangerous weather develops.

While it is firmly winter in most of the United States, February is climatologically peak severe season across the Sunshine State. Warm and humid air over the Gulf of Mexico will often mix with cooler and drier air streaming southward from the Plains, leading to major storm development. With that in mind, this upcoming week – the second week of February – is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Florida.

Check your WeatherBug often throughout the afternoon and evening for the latest severe weather information.

Florida Braces For Severe Storms Today