Severe weather expected to continue through evening

Severe weather will impact the Pensacola region Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening with the a risk of flash flooding, strong winds, and the potential for strong tornadoes.

The National Weather Service said destructive straight-line winds with gusts up to 80 mph are possible, and 2 to 4 inches of rain are expected, with the possibility of 6 to 8 inches in some areas. There is also the possibility of quarter-sized hail.

Thunderstorms could move into Northwest Florida by 1 p.m. The severe weather threat is expected to be over by midnight Wednesday.

Tornado threat: Escambia and Santa Rosa counties under tornado watch until 5 p.m.

Caitlin Baldwin, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, said that the general timing of the event remains a little uncertain, but storms will likely move ahead of the main squall line, which will lead to multiple rounds of severe weather.

"We're looking at some storms moving in ahead of the squall line, which is kind of what we're seeing over Louisiana and Mississippi right now," Baldwin said. "And so there'll be some severe activity with that, and then the squall line will move through later this evening. We could see some severe development along that as well."

What you need to know: As severe weather predictions worsen, here's what you need to know on Wednesday

Cancellations list: Navarre Beach Pier to close, among others

Watches vs. Warnings: Severe weather could bring tornadoes to Pensacola

The National Weather Service said Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are under a tornado watch until 5 p.m.

Area beaches are under a high surf warning until 1 a.m. Friday. Waves of 5 to 9 feet are expected along area beaches along with dangerous rip currents.

The area is also under a flood watch beginning at 1 p.m. and running to 1 a.m. Thursday from the potential for excessive rainfall.

A wind advisory has also been issued beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday and running until 8 p.m. as winds ahead of the storm system could be sustained at 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph.

Tornadoes have already been reported in Texas and Louisiana as the front behind the severe weather moved through those states early Wednesday morning. All of Southern Mississippi was under a Tornado Watch as of 6:07 a.m. Wednesday.

See the latest watches and warnings in effect for Escambia, Santa Rosa, counties

Radar for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa counties, including Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach

Rainfall expected? See the latest forecast for Pensacola

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola weather calls for severe storms, hail, flooding, tornados