OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Ocala residents should brace for a windy and stormy day as a Wind Advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service (NWS) indicates that southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, could cause hazardous conditions, including blown-down tree limbs and potential power outages. Drivers, especially those in high-profile vehicles, should exercise extra caution, and residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects.

The NWS states that weather will remain active throughout the day, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., followed by a slight chance of lingering showers until 2 p.m. Some of these storms could be severe, producing heavy rain and strong winds. High temperatures will reach near 80°F, and winds will shift from the south at 14 to 21 mph to the west later in the afternoon, with gusts up to 31 mph.

Rainfall amounts are expected to range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, but higher totals are possible in stronger thunderstorms, according to the NWS. A fast-moving line of storms will sweep through the region this morning into early afternoon.

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