Tampa, Florida – Drivers and beachgoers across the Tampa Bay region could see storms erupt quickly this afternoon, with strong wind gusts and bursts of hail capable of disrupting travel and outdoor plans before sunset.
According to the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, the region sits under a Level 1 of 5 marginal severe weather risk Sunday, with storms expected to develop during the early afternoon and continue into the evening hours. The main hazards include damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, hail up to quarter size, and pockets of heavy rainfall.
Communities including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Sarasota could see fast-moving thunderstorms capable of briefly reducing visibility and creating slick roads. Drivers along Interstate 275, the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and I-75 near Brandon and Riverview may encounter sudden downpours and wind gusts that make travel hazardous.
Emergency managers advise residents to secure loose outdoor items and move indoors at the first sound of thunder. Lightning strikes can occur several miles from the storm core, particularly near open beaches and marinas along Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast.
Storm coverage will taper later this evening, but additional advisories or short-fuse warnings could be issued if storms intensify across West Central Florida.
