Hazardous Weather Outlook: Severe Thunderstorm Threat Looms

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay area’s streak of sunny, warm conditions isn’t expected to last. The National Weather Service is warning of the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms over the upcoming weekend and the potential for dense fog over the next few days.

The agency issued a hazardous weather outlook report Thursday, Jan. 19 that covers the entire west central Florida region. Anticipated severe weather won’t arrive until the weekend, but forecasters say fog that’s plagued the area in the overnight hours the past few days will likely continue through Friday night. Motorists are urged to exercise caution on area roads and keep their distance from other vehicles.

As for those thunderstorms, the weather service says they’re likely to move in Saturday night along with a cold front and are expected to stick around through Sunday. Forecasters are expecting the storms to be “strong to severe.” Some of the thunderstorms that roll in will “be capable of producing strong, gusty winds, locally heavy rains and frequent deadly lightning strikes.”

Rip currents along area beaches are also expected Saturday through Tuesday. Boaters, too, are being warned that wind speeds on Sunday and Monday could climb to 33 knots, creating potentially hazardous conditions for small craft operators.

While forecasters expect the front will bring strong storms to the region, it’s not expected to cool things down too much. As of Thursday, the daily highs through the weekend were forecast in the high 70s. Monday, however, is expected to bring a drop in temperatures with a high in the upper 60s anticipated along with a lingering chance for showers and windy conditions. Tuesday should bring a return of sunny skies and a high in the low 70s.

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

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