Hold onto your hats, Bay area! A Tornado Watch is in full swing until 3 p.m., sending a ripple of caution through our coastal communities. With a cold front looming, thunderstorms are poised to roll in on Thursday, sparking a domino effect of weather activity. The Nature Coast is first in line for the stormy spectacle, expecting the onslaught around 11 a.m. to noon. Then, like clockwork, the tempestuous line will sweep southward, aiming squarely at our beloved Tampa Bay area between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. But don’t let the dramatics alarm you just yet; let’s unpack what’s on the forecast menu.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia until 3 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/QneSq74rXs
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) April 11, 2024
A Tornado Watch blankets the Bay area until 3 p.m., courtesy of a brewing cold front. Thunderstorms are slated to unleash their fury, initiating around 11 a.m. to noon along the Nature Coast. By 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the action shifts southward, zeroing in on Tampa Bay.
Polk and Manatee counties are next on the storm’s hit list, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Fortunately, the risk of severe thunderstorms is relatively low, but brace for potent wind gusts, possibly exceeding 40 mph. While tornadoes are a slim possibility, coastal flooding looms as afternoon high tides collide with southerly winds.
Pasco County and beyond could see waters rise by two to four feet, with one to three feet expected in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties.
Stay vigilant with multiple alert channels at your disposal. As the storm clouds part Thursday night, prepare for a picturesque Friday and weekend ahead.
