Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Tampa Bay Area, FL

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696 FXUS62 KTBW 181827 AFDTBW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 227 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2024 ...New DISCUSSION, SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER... .DISCUSSION...
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A high pressure system to our north continues to dominate the weather pattern across the state, keeping things relatively dry for the rest of today. The main story continues to be the winds, with a gusty easterly flow persisting throughout the next few days. This is due to the tightly packed pressure gradients over our area that are associated with our position between the presiding ridging to the north and a strengthening low pressure system out in the Western Gulf of Mexico. Slightly warmer temperatures are expected around the lower 90s, particularly across the Western side of the state due to the strong easterly winds. Heading into Wednesday, conditions should remain relatively the same with just the added potential of some scattered showers in the afternoon and evening hours as more moisture begins to move in to our area off the Atlantic coast. This added moisture will likely begin to bring back a more traditional Florida summertime weather regime, with isolated thunderstorms possible throughout the end of this week and heading into the weekend. Temperatures will continue to be fairly warm with low to mid 90s expected along the Western half of the state, and the increase in moisture will lead to heat index values beginning to surpass 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday during peak heating in the afternoon hours.
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&& .LONG TERM...
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Large upper ridge centered over the Tennessee River Valley Friday to slowly sink Sward into the Deep South/N Gulf Coast this weekend as persistent Central American Gyre holds over the Yucatan Peninsula. At the surface, models keep the next tropical wave or general low pressure area in the Bay of Campeche that may eventually become a W Gulf closed low while W Atlantic high pressure holds into the Deep South as yet another weak tropical wave may move towards the GA/SC coast with generally easterly flow continuing over the FL Peninsula. But model uncertainty abounds with all these features and will keep typical June diurnal seabreeze thunderstorm PoPs through the weekend and into early next week as the warm and humid conditions continue.
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&& .AVIATION...
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(18Z TAFS) Persisting dry air in our area will aid in maintaining VFR conditions for the rest of today and throughout the overnight hours heading into tomorrow morning. A dominant easterly flow will bring with it the potential for gusty winds around 20-25 knots, but should ease up as we head into the late evening hours around 04Z. Gusty winds will resume after 13Z Wednesday morning.
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&& .MARINE...
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Hazardous marine conditions with gusty easterly winds and choppy seas through at least Wednesday to keep Small Craft Advisories in effect. Winds begin to lighten Thursday but expect evening surges and additional headlines may be needed. Winds and seas expected to subside a bit Fri and into the weekend but remain unsettled and somewhat bumpy as rain chances increase as well.
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&& .FIRE WEATHER...
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Warm and humid conditions to continue with gusty easterly winds through mid week with high dispersion values. Winds are expected to weaken at the end of the week and into the weekend along with increasing rain chances.
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&& .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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TPA 78 91 77 93 / 10 50 30 60 FMY 76 91 76 93 / 10 50 30 60 GIF 75 90 75 92 / 30 50 30 60 SRQ 76 93 76 94 / 20 50 30 60 BKV 74 92 73 94 / 10 40 20 60 SPG 80 92 80 94 / 10 50 40 60
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&& Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Tuesday: 3 Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Wednesday: 3 For additional information on sea breeze regimes, go to: https://www.weather.gov/tbw/ThunderstormClimatology && .TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. Gulf waters...Small Craft Advisory until noon EDT Wednesday for Coastal waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM-Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 NM- Waters from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 to 60 NM- Waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60 NM. && $$ LONG TERM/MARINE/FIRE WEATHER...RDavis DISCUSSION/AVIATION/...TThaden