Tornadoes, Severe Storms Possible In Tampa Bay Area (Video)

TAMPA, FL — Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Ruskin are asking Tampa Bay area residents to keep an eye on the sky as the potential for severe storms moves into the region. A cold front passing through Florida is expected to bring thunderstorms, large hail and the possibility of isolated tornadoes and waterspouts along with it over the next day or so.

Thunderstorms are expected to move into Nature Coast counties in the afternoon hours Saturday, Jan. 21 and spread south overnight into the Tampa Bay area.

“The strongest storms will be capable of producing damaging, gusty winds,” the weather service wrote in Saturday’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report. “Frequent, deadly lighting strikes, large hail and isolated tornadoes and waterspouts” are also possible.

In advance of the weekend’s severe weather threat, the weather service released a video explaining the potential for storms. On that video, forecasters warned of the potential for “major impacts” in the Tampa Bay area and suggested folks with outdoor plans tackle them during the daytime hours Saturday.

On Sunday, forecasters say there’s an “enhanced risk” for severe weather in the Bay area. Seeing such a risk is rare for the region in January, forecasters noted. Even so, that threat has the weather service warning that strong-to-severe storms are very possible in the region throughout the day Sunday and into the nighttime hours. In addition to hail, tornadoes and lightning, forecasters say there’s a chance for localized flooding as the system is expected to dump an inch or more of rain on the region.

Folks are also warned to be careful in coastal areas and on Tampa Bay area and Gulf of Mexico waters. A rip current warning is in place through Monday night. Boaters are warned of winds up to 33 knots Sunday through Monday night with gusts to gale-force also possible.

“Seas will increase to as much as 15 feet offshore,” Saturday’s report warned.

While the cold front is expected to bring severe weather into the region, it’s not anticipated to cool things down much. Forecasters say the day’s high Saturday should climb to about 80 degrees in the Tampa Bay area with an overnight low in the upper 60s expected. Sunday’s high will reach the upper 70s with an overnight low in the low 60s.

Storm chances are expected to persist into Monday with breezy conditions also likely. The day’s high is expected to only reach the low 70s.

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

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