Weekend Weather: What to Expect

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents might want to batten down the hatches as the weekend kicks off.

The National Weather Service is forecasting strong-to-severe thunderstorms in much of the region as Friday gets under way. Those storms are expected to stick around until the afternoon hours when rain chances gradually decline. The day’s high should only climb to the upper 60s with a low in the low 50s.

As the storm system moves through the region, the weather service has issued a number of advisories, as well.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Sunday for the coastal areas of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Charlotte counties. There is also a high risk for rip currents in those areas.

Coastal flooding is also a possibility, the weather service warns, through Saturday evening.

“Strong west winds developing late today (Friday) behind a strong cold front will result in the building of large surf,” the agency warned Friday morning. “The large waves combined (with) astronomical tide levels running 1 to 2 feet above normal may result in considerable beach erosion.”

See Also:

• Florida Tornadoes No Freak Storms
• Florida Tornadoes: What You Need To Know

Saturday is expected to kick off with a 30 percent chance of more showers and a chilly high only in the mid-50s. Rain chances clear out in the overnight hours as near-freezing temperatures move in. The low overnight is anticipated to reach only the upper 30s in some parts of the Bay.

Storms move out of the picture on Sunday when a high in the upper 50s is anticipated and an overnight low around 40.

As Friday’s strong storms move through the area, residents are urged to keep up with weather forecasts. Some of the storms may bring severe conditions with them.

To keep up with what’s happening in your neck of the Bay, sign up for your local Patch’s daily newsletter and news alerts. For an extended weather forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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