Nasty Storms in View, Gusts Up to 55 mph Possible

Thunderstorms, some with wind gusts possibly hitting up to 55 miles per hour, are expected in the Tampa Bay area later this afternoon and early evening, according to a report from the Hillsborough County communications department.

The report notes the cause for this weather alert is a tropical wave of low pressure lifting northward through the area.

According to the National Weather Service, there’s a 70 percent chance of storms today, some of which are likely to be rather heavy. A tropical wave sitting over Florida is to blame for the high chance of storms.

While not all areas will see especially heavy storms, the weather service does warn the wave could produce “strong, gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning.”

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From the Hillsborough County Weather Alert:

• Expect numerous thunderstorms primarily between 1 and 7 p.m.

• Some strongs could produce wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph. (A storm becomes a hurricane when winds hit 74 mph.)

• Frequent to excessive cloud-to-ground lightning can be expected.

• Minor flooding is possible in low-lying and poor-drainage area.

• Reduced visibilities in torrential downpours pose a driving threat.

Sandbags are available until 5 p.m. in Eastern Hillsborough County, at the Hillsborough County East Service Unit, at 4702 Sydney Road.

Elsewhere in the county sandbags are available at the west service unit (9805 Sheldon Road) and south service unit (8718 Old Big Bend Road).

Note the following:

• Filled sandbags will be available for the elderly and disabled.

• Sandbag materials will be available to people physically able to make their own.

• Residents receiving sandbags will be required to sign their names and provide home addresses, acknowledging the receipt of 25 sandbags or less.

For more information, or to report problems, call: 813-635-5400.

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From the National Weather Service:

 

• Today’s high will be in the upper 80s with a low in the 70s.

• The outlook starts to improve tomorrow and into the latter half of the week when rain chances drop into the 20-to-30-percent range. Expect highs in the upper 80s to low 90s throughout most of the week.

• For a complete look at weather in Brandon, visit the National Weather Service online.