TALLAHASSEE, Florida – A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of the western Florida Panhandle through early Monday morning, with multiple rounds of heavy rain expected as abundant tropical moisture interacts with a slowing cold front, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] National Weather Service Tallahassee Radar Loop for Florida Panhandle and Big Bend[/caption] The Flood Watch covers parts of Walton, Bay, Gulf, Holmes, and Washington counties from about 10–11 a.m. CT Saturday through 7 a.m. CT Monday. Widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected in the watch area, with localized totals of 8 to 10 inches possible along the Emerald Coast. Elsewhere across the Florida Panhandle, southeast Alabama, and southwest Georgia, 2 to 5 inches are forecast through early next week. The highest rainfall rates are expected late Saturday into Sunday as a shortwave moves along the northern Gulf Coast. Precipitable water values are near or above early-October records. National Weather Service Tallahassee – Flood Watch (Updated October 3, 2026) If heavier rainfall materializes, flash flooding is possible, especially in low-lying, poor-drainage, and urban areas. Stronger storms may also produce gusty winds and frequent lightning. A high risk of rip currents continues for beaches in Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties through late Saturday night. High temperatures will generally stay in the mid-to-upper 80s Saturday before trending into the low 80s Sunday and Monday. Overnight lows remain in the low-to-mid 70s. Areas at elevated risk for showers, thunderstorms, and locally heavy rainfall include: Western Florida Panhandle (Flood Watch area: DeFuniak Springs, Panama City, coastal Walton/Bay/Gulf counties) Apalachicola and the Big Bend coast Tallahassee Dothan, Albany, Bainbridge, and the Wiregrass Valdosta, Tifton, and southwest Georgia Tallahassee Area Weather Forecast Today (Saturday): Showers and thunderstorms likely, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms later. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation around 70%. Higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely at times. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation around 60%. Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. South-southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation around 90%. Heavier rainfall becomes more likely. Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm continue as the front slows. High near 82. Chance of precipitation around 90%. Additional heavy rain possible before conditions gradually improve.