TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A strong thunderstorm warning was declared for Hardy, Sarasota, Pasco, Manatee, Hillsboro, Pinellas, and Polk counties as of 10:15 a.m. Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service, western Hernando County was under a tornado warning until 11:00 a.m. after a radar-indicated water spout was sighted seven miles from Waikiki Wachi Gardens.
Amidst the strong winds of the storm, power lines and trees were being reported down along State Road 50 and US-19 so far.
A strong cold front is moving across the region and as it passes, rain and thundershowers will occur.
The storm will begin moving from the northwest between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. in Citrus and Hernando County. The thin strip of storm will gradually move to the southeast throughout the morning and clear Sarasota, Highlands and DeSoto counties by 1:00 p.m.
During that time it will not rain everywhere. As the rain line moves further into your area, expect heavy rain, high winds, lightning and high winds, and the threat of a separate tornado for a while. Once the heavy rain moves out of your area, the grave danger will pass but the winds will remain strong throughout the afternoon.
Winds will change direction and come out from the north carrying more cold air. After 12 noon the temperature will start dropping. In the 60's. Temperatures for Sunday morning will drop into the 30s and 40s in the afternoon and night.
A freeze warning is in effect for all Citrus and Hernando County. A wind chill advisory is in effect tonight everywhere in the Tampa Bay area. Air chill can drop as low as 25° to the north, and somewhere in the mid-30s on Sunday morning.
Despite a lot of sunshine on Sunday afternoon, it will be a cold and humid day with high temperatures only in the mid-60s.
Cold snaps don't last long with normal temperatures returning to start the work week. The lows will be in the upper 50s and low 60s and return to the high 70s on Monday and Tuesday.
Another cold front moves forward with rain and thunder on Tuesday but it is not as strong and we will not be as calm behind it. Temperatures remain in the mid to upper 70s for the rest of the week.