Severe Thunderstorms, Waterspouts Possible As Front Moves Through

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents and visitors looking forward to a forecast streak of sunny, cool days expected to arrive later this week may have to endure some heavy weather first. The National Weather Service is warning that a cold front moving into the area is bringing a marginal chance of severe thunderstorms with it.

According to forecasters, Monday will be a bit of a washout. The mostly cloudy conditions of the morning hours are expected to turn into storms as the day progresses. The day’s high should reach only the mid-60s. Storm chances increase dramatically heading into the nighttime hours when the low should drop into the lower 60s.

Rain chances are expected to linger into the morning hours on Tuesday, March 14.

Storms that move into the area Monday and early Tuesday have the potential to become severe, forecasters at the weather service warned in Monday’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report. Folks in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties are being warned the locally heavy rain, strong, gusty winds and frequent lightning are all concerns in the region.

“An isolated waterspout approaching the coast cannot be ruled out,” the report noted.

In addition, boaters are being warned that wind speeds on local waters could increase to 20 knots heading into the overnight hours Monday. Those conditions are expected to last through Wednesday, posing “hazardous boating conditions for small craft operators.”

The potential for heavy weather Monday and into early Tuesday aside, forecasters say the rest of the week should shape up to be near postcard perfect. After the storms move out Tuesday, forecasters expect mostly sunny skies and a high around 69 degrees in much of the region. Breezy, but clear conditions are anticipated Tuesday night when the low should drop into the upper 40s.

Wednesday is expected to have a chill in the air with a high only in the lower 60s forecast. Sunny skies, however, are anticipated throughout the daytime hours. Clear skies should dominate the night, but the low could drop into the lower 40s, forecasters say.

Thursday is also expected to bring sunny, but cooler conditions with a high in the low 60s. The overnight low is anticipated to fall into the mid-40s with clear skies on tap.

Conditions are expected to warm a bit heading into the weekend. Forecasters anticipate Friday will shape up with sunny skies and a high in the low 70s. Clear conditions with a low in the low 50s are expected in the overnight hours.

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

Image via Shutterstock