'Strong to Severe Storms' Possible, Weather Service Warns

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay area is likely in for a bumpy ride heading into Sunday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the entire Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Pasco and Manatee counties. That statement warns that a “robust low pressure system over the northern Gulf of Mexico will move east through the evening toward the area.” Warm, moist air ahead of the system is expected to mix with a “strong low level jet and increasing vertical wind shear” to create “a very favorable environment for strong to severe thunderstorms.”

The biggest hazards anticipated are strong to damaging winds, heavy rain, minor flooding and lightning. “An isolated tornado or two will also be possible,” the statement said.

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The severe weather is expected to strike between 2 and 9 a.m. Since the storms will move in during the overnight hours, residents who have them are asked to set their weather radios to alert mode “in case life-saving warnings are issued overnight.” It’s also recommended that any loose, lightweight outside objects be brought inside.

In addition to the special weather statement, the service has also issued a coastal flood advisory, a high surf warning, wind advisory and rip current statement.

Stormy weather is expected to persist through much of the day Sunday, but should clear heading into the overnight hours. The daytime high isn’t anticipated to break the 70-degree mark and the overnight low is expected to fall to the mid-40s.

Clear weather is in the picture for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. A sunny day is anticipated with a high in the low 60s is expected. The overnight low is anticipated to fall into the low 40s.

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

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