Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued For Tampa Bay Area

CLEARWATER, FL — The Tampa Bay area is in for a bumpy ride in the weather department over the next day or so. According to the National Weather Service, a strong cold front moving across the peninsula Saturday afternoon is anticipated to bring storms and chilly conditions along with it.

While rain is expected across the region Saturday, forecasters warn that a broken line of thunderstorms could bring harsh weather to some areas.

“A few strong storms may occur,” Saturday’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report warned. Those storms may deliver “gusty winds, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning strikes.”

Forecasters are also warning that the season’s coldest temperatures so far are expected along with the front.

“Overnight low temperatures will fall into the upper 20s to the low 30s along the Nature Coast and interior sections of northern Florida,” the report warned. “When combined with northeast winds, morning wind chills will be in the teens and 20s for most areas along and north of I-4, including all of Tampa Bay.”

With that in mind, forecasters are reminding folks to bundle up and bring their pets indoors.

Freezing temperatures are also likely in areas north of Tampa Bay on Monday morning. “Temperatures will drop to near freezing again Sunday night into early Monday along the Nature Coast and northern Florida,” the report said. “Wind chills will still fall into the 20s and lower 30s for many areas north of Tampa Bay with mid-30s elsewhere.”

Folks with plans on Tampa Bay area waters may also want to rethink them. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 knots are expected Saturday “over all of the waters with gale force winds over the offshore waters,” forecasters said. A high surf and rip currents are also expected on Saturday.

“Swimming and boating are not recommended,” forecasters stressed.

Sunday’s conditions on local waters aren’t expected to be much better. While winds will slow a bit, “dangerous marine conditions,” high surf and rip currents are expected to persist throughout the day.

Forecasters anticipate a gradual warming trend to kick off on Monday. That day’s high is expected to reach the upper 60s with a return to the 70s forecast for Tuesday.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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