Ross Whitley

Panama City

Chief Meteorologist at WMBB-TV (Panama City, FL)

Chief Meteorologist @wmbbtv, Follower of Christ. Opinions are my own.

Articles

NWS Damage Survey results for Saturday’s Tornado event

1 day ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley |Stephanie E Pitts

FLORIDA (WMBB) – A single parent supercell storm produced two long-track tornadoes in the Florida Panhandle into Lower Alabama during the day on Saturday. One EF-1 tornado occurred in Walton County, lifting after crossing I-10 and before reaching Ponce De Leon. Once the supercell entered Holmes County, it produced an even longer and stronger EF-2 tornado, dissipating soon after crossing into Geneva County, Alabama, and causing damage there.
Heat builds through the week

1 day ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – We’re finally seeing the last of the upper-level low clearing out, with only a few lingering showers around the Tri-State region. That means moisture and humidity are building back in starting tonight, replacing the drier air we’ve enjoyed. Overnight lows won’t drop as much, only dipping to around 70 degrees.
Upper Low Moves Out, The Heat Builds In

2 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Use extreme caution if you’re headed to the coast. Even with improving skies and warmer temperatures, the ocean takes time to recover after a swell like this. Currents remain strong, and sandbars will likely be displaced for the next couple of days.
Rounds of Rain and Storms for the weekend

5 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Tonight, rounds of rain are expected, with some embedded thunderstorms capable of producing locally heavy downpours. On Saturday, scattered showers and storms will linger through the morning, gradually becoming more isolated by the afternoon. Some areas may see sunshine break through by late afternoon into the early evening. Winds will shift out of the southwest at 10–20 mph, helping to build surf along the beaches, with wave heights expected around 2–4 feet.
Upper-low brings a wet pattern and weekend

6 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Cloud cover has lingered today, with scattered showers and a few thunderstorms—especially along the Forgotten Coast, where some areas saw two rounds after missing out yesterday. Beach conditions are mixed, with yellow and red flags posted due to increased surf from offshore weather systems. A developing low-pressure system to the south and west is pushing in significant moisture. Rain will likely hold off until tomorrow afternoon, but some showers may arrive earlier.
Rain on the way and a wet weekend

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – It may have looked like rain throughout the day, but very little has actually fallen due to lingering dry air and a lack of organized weather systems. Although some showers have developed offshore, they’ve mostly fizzled out before reaching land. A few isolated showers are possible through late evening, though most will be light and scattered.
Beautiful transitions wet weather this week

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Some much-needed rain over the weekend may have disrupted a few plans, but it brought welcome relief to dry lawns and vegetation. Temperatures remain warm, hovering around 80°F in Panama City and Apalachicola, with Tallahassee reaching 85°F and low 80s stretching from Marianna to Blountstown. A stalled pattern in the atmosphere, caused by the Omega block, is preventing typical weather movement, allowing one system over the Four Corners to slowly drift toward the Southeast.
Dry streak comes to an end, rain is on the way.

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Clouds are beginning to move in from the south, and this cloud cover will continue through the evening and overnight hours. Friday will stay mostly dry as frontal systems remain to our north and west, but the humidity will persist overnight, especially inland, where some fog may develop. Cooler pockets could see temperatures dip into the low 60s.
Scattered Showers and Storms on the Way

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City Fla. (WMBB) – Cloud cover returned today, offering some relief from the extreme UV index levels earlier this week. Expect similar conditions tomorrow with partly cloudy to broken skies, which should again help moderate UV exposure for most of the area. As temperatures dip overnight, coastal areas will hold near 70°F, and fog could develop, especially with moisture lingering across the region.
Rain Chances Return this Weekend

2 weeks ago | mypanhandle.com | Ross Whitley

Panama City, Fla. (WMBB) – After a few days of scattered pop-ups and sea breeze activity, drier conditions are expected to return temporarily, before a wetter weekend sets in across the Florida Panhandle. FORECASTTonight: Expect partly cloudy skies with lows between 64°F and 68°F, and light southerly winds at 5–10 mph. Thursday: A mostly dry day for much of the area. Only a slight chance of a stray shower in Liberty, Calhoun, Jackson, or possibly Gulf County.