Severe Storms Possible As Cold Front Moves In

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents are being warned of the potential for severe thunderstorms over the next day or so as a strong cold front makes its presence in the region known. The National Weather Service is also urging swimmers and small craft operators to take care on coastal waters as rough conditions are likely to persist over the next few days.

While Wednesday is expected to start off with sunny skies and a high in the upper 80s throughout much of the Tampa Bay area, forecasters at the weather service say those conditions won’t last long.

“A strong cold front will move across the region late tonight (Wednesday) and early Thursday preceded by scattered to numerous thunderstorms,” forecasters wrote in Wednesday’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report. Some of those storms have the potential to become strong to severe, forecasters say. They may “produce strong damaging winds, hail, locally heavy rainfall, and frequent deadly lighting strikes.”

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The cold front’s impending arrival is also creating potentially perilous conditions on local waters. Forecasters are warning of a strong risk for rip currents along coastal beaches. Small craft operators are being warned that Gulf of Mexico winds could reach 25 knots in the overnight hours Wednesday. Small craft advisories are expected to remain in effect through Friday at least as “robust northwest winds will persist across the eastern Gulf of Mexico,” forecasters wrote.

While the potential for severe storms is expected to stick around through part of Thursday, forecasters do anticipate a gradual clearing as the day progresses. Once the clouds move off, Thursday should bring sunny skies, but breezy conditions. The day’s high is forecast to only reach the mid-70s though with an overnight low in the mid-50s anticipated.

The carrot at the end of the cold front’s stick is expected to materialize on Friday when sunny skies are forecast with a high only in the low 70s. A chilly night is anticipated, as well, with the low expected to drop to about 50 degrees in much of the region. Mild temperatures are expected to last through the weekend.

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

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