Strong, gusty storms began around 7 a.m. in the Tampa Bay area Saturday.
Storms are expected to last until about noon, Tony Hurt of the National Weather Service in Ruskin said Friday. The severe weather will be followed by a brief cold snap, but temperatures will warm by Sunday afternoon.
10:30 a.m. Over 1,000 without power in Pinellas County
Duke Energy is reporting 1,785 customers are without power in Pinellas County, with 61 active power outages. The estimated time for restoration is 5 p.m., according to the company’s outage map.
In Pasco County, 351 customers are without power and there are 17 reported power outages. Power is expected to return by 5 p.m.
10:05 a.m. Tampa International Airport flights delayed
The severe weather is causing flight delays and cancellations at Tampa International Airport and airports across Florida.
TPA and other Florida airports are continuing to see weather delays and cancelations today due to storm bands moving across the state. Please check with your airline for the most up-to-date schedule.
— Tampa International Airport ✈️ (@FlyTPA) March 12, 2022
9:30 a.m. Severe thunderstorm warning continues for St. Petersburg and Tampa
Parts of Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, and much of Hillsborough County remain in a severe thunderstorm warning until 10:15 a.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Tampa FL, Saint Petersburg FL, Brandon FL until 10:15 AM EST pic.twitter.com/eJLBJuDMCY
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 12, 2022See AlsoLive Webcam Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Hillsborough County, FloridaDallas Stars into their 2nd West final in a row after knocking out last two Cup championsBay News 9 and Weather on the 9s turn 25. Here’s how they started.
8:45 a.m. Severe thunderstorm warning across Tampa Bay
A severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 9:30 a.m. across Tampa Bay. Wind speeds could reach up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Penny sized hail is also possible.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Tampa FL, Saint Petersburg FL, Clearwater FL until 9:30 AM EST pic.twitter.com/HdSKrTqAfT
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 12, 2022
4 a.m. Tornado watch for areas in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough
A tornado watch was placed across Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, around 4 a.m. Saturday and is in effect until 11 a.m. A tornado warning means conditions are favorable for tornadoes in an area.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida and Georgia until 11 AM EST pic.twitter.com/ySuQ5RzBWe
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 12, 2022
Events from bay to bay have been canceled or postponed for the anticipated strong weather.
The storm will bring at least some thunder and lightning, Hurt said, and possibly a few small tornadoes. The primary risk from these storms will be damaging winds. Wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph. Most likely, sustained winds will be about 15 to 30 mph, Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay said.
Rapid changes in our weather is expected over the next 48 hours.
— Spectrum Bay News 9 Weather (@bn9weather) March 11, 2022
Saturday morning: Strong storms move onshore
Saturday afternoon: Temperatures drop, breezy and storms clear
Sunday morning: Wind chill in the 20s & 30s pic.twitter.com/FhfhUsBeYG
There is a gale warning in effect for the offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico and a small craft advisory for Tampa Bay, Clay said. Though it will be the first day of spring break for kids across the six public school systems in the Tampa Bay area, it’s best to stay away from the beaches on Saturday, Clay said.
“There’s a high risk of rip currents on the beaches, and there’s also going to be some very high surf,” Clay said.
Cold weather from the north is making its way down to Tampa Bay, where the warmer weather will clash with the frigid air, causing the severe weather.
The city of Tampa’s River O’ Green St. Patrick’s Day celebration has been postponed a day to Sunday and the inaugural Shamrock Fest at the St. Pete Pier was canceled because of the anticipated rough weather.
High temperatures will be in the mid 70s Saturday morning, but the temperature will plunge beginning in the afternoon. Overnight Saturday into Sunday temperatures could sink into the 40s and some areas could even bottom out in the high 30s.
Pinellas County can expect to see temperatures in the upper 30s to around 45 degrees closer to the water. In Pasco County, temperatures could drop to the upper 30s, Clay said.
This will likely be one of the last cold weather snaps of the year, Hurt said, as the Tampa Bay area transitions into spring.
Strong /severe storms will be possible later tonight through Sat as a cold front moves through the region. Damaging winds, hail, and a tornado or two will be possible with the storms. Much colder air comes in Sat night with freezing temps possible over the Nature coast. #flwx pic.twitter.com/AcMHhfPB3l
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) March 11, 2022
The Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas will open cold weather shelters Saturday across Pinellas for those seeking a warm place to stay overnight.
Pasco County is coordinating with the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County to provide cold weather shelters on the east side of the County Saturday. To make shelter arrangements call the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County by 8 p.m. at (727) 842-8605, ext. 6.
Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open on Saturday night, March 12, 2022, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will open at the times shown below. pic.twitter.com/OOjmS1h11L
— Pinellas County (@PinellasCoNews) March 10, 2022
By Sunday afternoon, temperatures are expected to climb to near 70 and the skies will clear in time for Tampa’s River O’ Green Fest, where the Hillsborough River will be dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day. It is expected to be windy, however.
Looking toward next week, there’s a chance for a few scattered storms Wednesday and Thursday. However, the rest of the week will be clear for spring breakers flocking to the beaches.
The high temperature each day should be in the high 70s or low 80s with morning lows in the low 60s.
“Spring break should be pretty nice for the kids, and the spring breakers that are here,” Hurt said.
