Strong Cold Front To Bring Storms To Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents might want to keep their umbrellas handy over the next day or so.

The National Weather Service anticipates a strong cold front will move into the region on Thursday, bringing lots of rain and the potential for thunderstorms with it. Once it clears out, the warming trend experienced over the past few days is expected to end, as well.

The weather service is anticipating a 70 percent chance of showers in the day and evening hours on Thursday. The day’s high should only climb to the low 70s with a low near 50 degrees. Severe weather isn’t anticipated as the cold front moves through, but forecasters do warn that “some locally heavy rain, gusty winds and occasional lightning strikes” are possible, according to the agency’s Hazardous Weather Outlook report Wednesday.

The cold front is also expected to create potentially hazardous conditions for small boat operators. Wind gusts on local waters are expected to reach up to 25 knots.

By Friday, forecasters expect sunny conditions with a high around 65. The overnight low should fall to the low 50s. More rain is in the cards over the weekend with cooler temperatures expected to stick around through Tuesday at least.

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

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