(CNN) -
Severe weather conditions in central Florida are causing delays at some of the state's major airports as the threat of a storm continues to mount.
Sunday's severe storm threat on the Florida peninsula has increased to a risk level three out of five, according to NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
This threat level includes the cities of Tampa and Orlando.
The "mild risk, level 2 of 5, has also been expanded to include Miami and Fort Myers."
The storm threat includes 15 million people in central and southern Florida.
Man records a marine tornado in the Gulf of Mexico near Panama City Beach, Florida
Delays at airports due to the threat of a storm
Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports have experienced delays of between 45 minutes and about two hours due to air traffic delays at the entrance and the runway.
"Damaging winds, a tornado or two and isolated hail are expected this afternoon in central Florida," said SPC.
"The threat of some damaging gusts will also move south to South Florida later this afternoon / evening."
advertising
The SPC has also issued a severe storm watch over much of northern and central Florida, and it remains in effect until 4:00 p.m. ET.
After the madness of the "spring break" there is concern in Florida about a possible increase in covid-19
The main threats in this area include scattered damaging winds with isolated significant gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour, hail up to the size of a golf ball, and a couple of tornadoes and waterspouts.
A group of severe storms was staged Sunday morning across the state.
This storm complex is forecast to accelerate to the east and south, affecting the entire Florida peninsula later today.
CNN's Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.
