‘Significant Weather' Expected In Tampa Bay Area

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents may want to pull out their jackets and batten down the hatches as the weekend arrives. According to the National Weather Service, a strong cold front’s arrival in the region is expected to bring thunderstorms and much cooler temperatures to the region.

In advance of the storms, the weather service issued a “Significant Weather Briefing” report on Friday that covers the entire region.

“Multiple potential weather hazards will impact west-central and southwest Florida through the upcoming weekend,” the briefing warned. The strong cold front is expected to “bring the potential for thunderstorms, some possibly strong, from Tampa Bay northward.” In addition, forecasters say “some of the coldest air so far this winter season will descend upon the region for Saturday night through early Monday morning.”

Forecasters say folks in the Tampa Bay area and northward can expect isolated, damaging wind gusts, frequent lighting and brief, heavy rainfall. South of Tampa Bay, frequent lightning and brief heavy rainfall are anticipated.

As for those temperature drops, forecasters say near-freezing conditions are likely in Levy County with freeze warnings possible. Lows in the 30s are expected both Saturday and Sunday nights as far south as Hillsborough and Polk counties. Lows in the middle 40s are anticipated for counties south of Tampa Bay. Wind chills into the 20s are expected north of the Interstate 4 corridor early Sunday and Monday mornings. Wind chill values in the 30s are expected in areas south of the I-4 corridor.

Hazardous seas are also likely on Saturday and Sunday with a small craft advisory anticipated. Forecasters say gale force wind gusts are possible.

While rough weather is on the way, the weather service says daytime hours on Friday should be mostly sunny with a high in the mid-70s. Thunderstorm chances rise to about 70 percent heading into the overnight hours when a low in the mid-60s is expected.

Storm chances on Saturday are estimated at 80 percent with a high only in the mid- to upper 60s anticipated. Breezy conditions with a chance for showers are likely Saturday night as those lows drop into the 30s or 40s.

While Sunday is expected to be chilly, with a high only in the mid-50s, forecasters do anticipate sunny skies in the daytime hours. Overnight, mostly clear skies are expected.

Monday is expected to kick off the workweek with sunny conditions and a high in the mid- to upper 60s. Temperatures are anticipated to warm up as the workweek continues with highs in the 70s expected Tuesday through Thursday.

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

Patch file photo