Tornado Watch, Wind Advisory And Rip Currents: 'Powerful' FL Storm

FLORIDA — The Tampa Bay region is under a tornado watch that includes 27 Florida counties Thursday, the National Weather Service warned. Severe storms may slam Florida and the Southeast, forcing multiple warnings and advisories Thursday in the Sunshine State.

A tornado watch is in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johnson, Sumter, Suwannee, Union and Volusia counties.

A "powerful storm system" has exited other southern states and has made its way toward the East Coast, both AccuWeather and the National Weather Service said. Forecasters say nearly 75 million people could be impacted by the storm.

Florida was one of multiple states at risk for potentially severe weather Thursday. Severe weather could also target areas from Florida to Delaware, eastern Kentucky, western Pennsylvania and areas from West Virginia to Ohio, AccuWeather reported.

High winds, flash flooding and tornadoes are possible with the severe weather along the East Coast and Midwest, AccuWeather reported.

Hazardous Weather

Northern Florida was the setting of "most vigorous thunderstorms" early Thursday, forecasters said. Drivers on interstates 64, 70, 77, 95 and several others could have suddenly suffered from poor visibility due to torrential downpours and high winds.

AccuWeather said East Coast and Midwest airline delays and flight cancellations are possible.

Isolated thunderstorms with lightning, significant downpours and gusty winds are anticipated in the Miami area, the weather service said. Hazardous marine conditions exist.

Meanwhile, near the Orlando area, a cold front could bring scattered to multiple showers with isolated to scattered lightning storms Thursday afternoon.

RELATED: Hail, Damaging Wind Gusts Hazards With Dangerous FL Storms: NWS

NWS forecasters say some of the storms could be strong to severe, specifically along and north of the Interstate 4 corridor. A tornado is possible north of Melbourne.

"Storms motion will be to the east-northeast at around 40-60 mph," weather officials said.

Areas south of I-4 to an area from Melbroune to northern Okeechobee County is in a marginal risk for severe weather. Gusty winds could arrive as storms move through the Treasure Coast on Thursday evening, the weather service said.

Watches, Warnings and Advisories

The Alafia River at Riverview, near US 301, is under a flood warning until late Thursday evening, affecting Hillsborough. Homes on Pine Avenue and Park Drive were impacted due to water rising to 4.2 feet at its latest update.

"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," the weather service said in the alert.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for Pinellas, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Manatee and coastal Sarasota counties.

Those counties are also under a coastal flood warning until 8 p.m. Thursday and will at risk for high rip currents through Saturday morning.

"For the coastal flood warning, significant coastal flooding. For the high rip current risk, dangerous rip currents. For the high surf advisory, large breaking waves of 5 feet or
larger," the weather service said in a statement.

Weather officials said multiple roads could be closed, while properties in low-lying areas will be inundated. Shoreline erosion is possible, along with dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.

"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the weather service said.

"Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."

A wind advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Volusia, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Okeechobee, Indian River, Saint Lucie, Martin, Brevard and Barrier Islands.

Southwest winds that could reach 30 mph, with wind gusts up to 40 mph, are expected. Gusty winds could toss around unsecured objects and bring down tree limbs.

Few power outages could also take place. Weather officials asked drivers to use caution.

Coastal Broward and coastal Miami-Dade counties are at risk for dangerous rip currents through Thursday evening.

In Coming Days

Residents near Orlando could see some poor boating conditions Friday night into Saturday evening, specifically those offshore due to an increase in northerly winds and building seas. This area is also at a moderate risk for rip currents through late next week, the weather service said.

Rip currents could also continue Friday in the Miami area across the Palm Beaches.

"An elevated risk of rip currents will materialize on Friday along the gulf coast of South Florida behind a departing frontal boundary," the weather service said in its outlook.

There are potential for isolated thunderstorms Friday morning along a cold front near Miami.

Fire weather conditions are possible into next week due to drier air filters in Florida, the weather service said.

As for Tampa Bay, conditions will be clear and sunny for the next several days.

Here is the latest NWS forecast for Tampa Bay:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 84. Windy, with a southwest wind 21-24 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 9-15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. West northwest wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North northeast wind 8-10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. East northeast wind around 7 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 87. East wind 6-9 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North northwest wind around 9 mph becoming east after midnight.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East southeast wind 6-9 mph.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 64.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.