ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A tornado watch is in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday for parts of the Tampa Bay area as the severe weather threat continues, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
This watch covers portions of northern and central Florida, including the cities of Bradenton, St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Forecasters say a few tornadoes are possible, in addition to isolated damaging wind gusts to 70 mph. It's possible that the tornado potential continues through at least the midday hours — and you can feel it as you step outside! Storms that have developed in this warm and humid airmass have shown signs of rotation all morning.
At least two tornadoes have been confirmed from the earlier round of severe storms that pressed inland from the Gulf of Mexico. A large waterspout was spotted near Pier 60 that came ashore as a tornado sent debris flying in parts of a north Clearwater Beach neighborhood.
In Citrus County, extensive damage forced the closure of all county public schools and roadways.
