TAMPA, Fla. — The tornado watch earlier in effect for parts of the Tampa Bay area has been canceled.
The severe weather threat has passed. However, isolated storms still could occur.
The previous story is below.
---
A tornado watch remains in effect for much of the entire Tampa Bay area as outer rainbands from Hurricane Idalia push inland.
These rainbands could spawn tornadoes.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the watch is in effect through 3 p.m. Wednesday for portions of central and north Florida. A few tornadoes are likely and some isolated significant damaging wind gusts to 75 mph are possible.
People are asked to be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
Tornadoes are a common occurrence in tropical systems. Typically, the "dirtiest" part of the storm — the right-front quadrant — carries the most significant weather threat.
The outer rainbands from the hurricane are pushing their way into southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay region. Life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force wind and isolated tornadoes are increasingly likely for portions of the Florida Gulf Coast.
It's important to stress small shifts in Idalia's track will continue before the storm makes landfall — and parts of the region will still experience the "dirty" side of the system.