ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A powerful Gulf storm will impact Florida like a tropical system but without a name.
Even so, the messy weather will be rough-and-tumble at times into the overnight hours on Sunday. Gusty winds, heavy downpours, coastal flooding and the threat of waterspouts and tornadoes are in the forecast.
Several weekend events in the Tampa Bay area — many for the holidays — have either been postponed or canceled, and a few communities have opened sandbag sites for residents to pick up some added protection from high water.
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Florida radar loop
See the latest satellite and radar loop below.
Tracking Florida's storm
Expect ongoing gusty winds and scattered rain into the afternoon hours. If you have to travel and run errands, the earlier, the better. Heavy downpours and worsening weather conditions are expected into the late afternoon and early evening hours.
You'll want to finish any outdoor activities and travel by then. It's also not a bad idea to secure lawn furniture and holiday decorations.
Severe weather threats, including damaging winds, isolated waterspouts and tornadoes, will come with a rougher batch of weather into the later portion of the evening.
The Gulf storm system itself pushes onshore in the Big Bend region overnight. In the Tampa Bay area, conditions will begin to improve and we'll start drying out.
By Monday morning, we finally return to normal with partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies.
Severe weather impacts
There is a level two out of five risk for severe weather for most of the Tampa Bay area, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Areas leading to the Nature Coast are at a level one, or marginal risk.
The main impacts will generally be gusty winds between 35-45 mph, damaging winds with some stronger thunderstorms and isolated waterspouts and tornadoes.
At least 2-3 inches of rain are expected, which could cause flooding in some low-lying areas.
Tampa Bay-area coastal flooding
Tides will generally be 2-3 feet above normal and the entire state of Florida can expect some flooding and abundant amounts of rainfall this weekend. As our wind pattern shifts on Sunday, coastal flooding will be an issue.
In anticipation of flooding, a coastal flood advisory is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Sunday from Citrus County southward to Manatee County. Minor coastal flooding is expected, with the flooding of lots, parks and roads possible.
It won't be a good day to get into the Gulf, with large waves up to 6 feet possible.
Here's a breakdown of water levels above normal high tides:
- Nature Coast: 2-4 feet
- Tampa Bay: 2-3 feet
- Southwest Florida: 1-2 feet
