FL Storm Timeline: Flood Watch Issued For Tampa Bay

FLORIDA — Heavy rain, gusty winds, some coastal flooding and rip currents are all possible for Florida this weekend due to potentially dangerous and threatening storms, weather officials said.

Some Florida counties near the coast will be under a flood watch, while the Alafia River in Hillsborough County will be under a flood warning starting Saturday.

The coastal flood watch will be in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday for Pinellas, coastal Levy, coastal Citrus, coastal Hernando, coastal Pasco, coastal Hillsborough and coastal Manatee counties.

"Numerous roads may be closed. Low-lying property including homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. Some shoreline erosion may occur. If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property," the National Weather Service said.

The Alafia River at Riverview near US-301 will be under a flood warning late Saturday night into late Sunday morning.

AccuWeather said Friday a high-pressure storm system that is set to travel along the coast could bring hazardous conditions to the area and could threaten lives and property along the Florida coast.

"The risk of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms increases across Florida during Saturday and Saturday night," AccuWeather said Friday. "During this timeframe, a slow-moving storm that produced snow and slippery travel across Colorado and New Mexico at midweek will combine with another system in the Gulf of Mexico to create the mid-December soaker."

In total, 2-4 inches of rain are likely to fall from much of the Sunshine State to the central Appalachians and into New England, with a swath of 4-8 inches expected along part of the southern Atlantic Seaboard. By Sunday, drier but windy weather is anticipated for much of the Florida Peninsula, AccuWeather said.

The National Weather Service's Tallahassee office predicted at 6 a.m. Friday dangerous marine conditions and a Gulf low to impact parts of Florida. Rip currents are forecast to affect local beaches.

"The severity of these impacts will greatly depend on the track of the low," the agency said.

"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks," the weather service said.

The storm system should usher in warmer air from the southern region, and as it forms over the east portion of the Gulf of Mexico, parts of Florida and the rest of the Southeast will feel the impact, AccuWeather reported.

Airport travel will be a concern through the weekend into early next week while interstates 20, 40, 64, 80, 81, 84 and 95 could be affected, AccuWeather reported.

"Ripple effects could also be felt at airports all across the country, with delays incurred at big hubs in Eastern cities like Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.," AccuWeather reported.

Here is the weather service's forecast for the Tampa area as of 11 a.m.:

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Windy, with an east wind 18-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Breezy, with an east northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7 a.m. High near 74. Windy, with an east wind 14-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. Windy, with an east wind 22-26 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Windy, with a west wind 22-26 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Windy, with a west northwest wind 15-20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 15-18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72.