Staff Reports
A tropical storm warning has been issued Florida’s west coast, including the Tampa Bay area, through Monday.
Jon Wilson, of the Tampa Bay Reporter, writes that National Hurricane Center has released the storm warning for Florida’s western coast north from Englewood to Indian Pass.
Classified as Tropical Depression No. 3, the low-pressure area near the Yucatan peninsula may stay a depression or it could become the third named tropical storm, which would be Colin. Some forecast models suggest a landfall farther north of Tampa Bay, perhaps near Perry.
Regardless, Wilson says, weather officials are predicting heavy rain and strong wind for the Tampa Bay region Monday. There is virtually no possibility of the blow reaching hurricane strength. But tornadoes and waterspouts are a possibility.
An excerpt from the NHC advisory Sunday morning:
“The large size of the cyclone and continued moderate-to-strong wind shear over the Eastern Gulf should limit significant strengthening. Although the statistical guidance only shows a slight increase in winds, the global models indicate some deepening. The NHC forecast is above the statistical guidance and calls for the depression to become a tropical storm before it reaches the coast of Florida.” National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for the Florida west coast north from Englewood to Indian Pass.
