When Central Florida faced tornado warnings this afternoon, WESH-Channel 2 was well positioned with its 4 p.m. news. The WESH coverage could be found on sister station WKCF-Channel 18.

WKMG-Channel 6 and WOFL-Channel 35 dropped their regular programming for the weather. And WOFL’s coverage could be seen for a time on sister station WRBW-Channel 65.

But WFTV-Channel 9 adopted an approach that tested viewers. The station went to a split screen, allowing it to air “The Oprah Winfrey Show” with sound and throw up a weather map. I’m not sure the map provided enough information for people needing weather information. Chief meteorologist Tom Terry gave an update at 4:30, but I’m sure his fans would have liked to see more of him.

On WKMG, Tom Sorrells and Troy Bridges worked well as a team. On WOFL, Glenn Richards carried the load. And on WESH, Tony Mainolfi and Jason Brewer made an especially fine team.

Brewer explained what was at stake at 4:11 p.m. in Volusia County: “You see how many people are potentially affected. More than 200,000 … by this tornado warning that we have in effect.” He also noted the concerns in Orange and Polk counties about the bad weather. Brewer promised the station would continue to track the storms moving into Brevard early in the evening.

WFTV made the weather the top story at 5 p.m., the quickly moved to the Toyota recall. The weather was the top story on WOFL and WESH. WKMG cut to “Dr. Phil.”

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Storm coverage: WESH, WKMG, WOFL go extensive route.