Hold on to your butts, Tampa Bay is under a tornado watch this afternoon

Your umbrella won't save you.

click to enlarge Hold on to your butts, Tampa Bay is under a tornado watch this afternoon
Photo via NOAA

Severe thunderstorms, hail, high winds, possible tornadoes; Tampa Bay is about to take one in the keister.

According to the National Weather Service, a barrage of storms moving in from the Gulf are set to punish the Bay area starting at around noon. The NWS says Tampa Bay now has an “enhanced” chance for severe weather, and is under a tornado watch until 4 p.m. this afternoon. 


Expect strong, gusty 25 mph winds from the southwest, paired with a chance of hail, and the threat of tides rising 2-4 feet above normal until 6 p.m.

A "Coastal Flood Warning" is in effect until 6 p.m. So, in other words, you might want to avoid the beach today.

UPDATE: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is now closed due to high winds. 

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