Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Tampa Bay Area, FL

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793 FXUS62 KTBW 121405 AFDTBW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 1005 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 ...New UPDATE... .UPDATE...
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Issued at 1004 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Shower and thunderstorm activity continues across SWFL this morning as tropical moisture streams across the peninsula. The 12Z sounding came in with a PW value of 1.97, which is in the top 10% climatologically for the day. The only reason it is not higher is the fact that some dry air has wrapped into the area, at least temporarily limiting convection. Looking at RSW AMDAR soundings, the PW value is over 2.6 inches, which is substantially higher. As such, the expectation is for continued convection through the day across SWFL, with rounds of storms likely developing again in the next few hours around the Tampa Bay Area. With so much rainfall continuing, the main concern continues to be flooding. The atmosphere is extremely warm (around -4C at 500mb) and there is no significant shear that would yield any additional risks (beyond of the multicellular clusters currently ongoing). A Flood Watch remains in effect for several counties across West Central and Southwest Florida where the highest threat exists. Overall, the forecast remains on track. The only notable adjustment this morning was to add a Rip Current Statement to reflect the high risk of rip currents being created by an onshore flow and swells greater than 2 feet. Otherwise, expecting the rain to continue for the next couple days.
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&& .DISCUSSION... Issued at 243 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Numerous to widespread showers on radar early this morning, mainly from the Tampa area southward. At the surface, there is an area of low pressure centered across Pinellas county. It is evident on radar and satellite imagery with bands of precipitation wrapping around this low. Lightning activity has decreased a good bit throughout the overnight hours with this activity and expect just a few rumbles of thunder will be possible throughout the remainder of the early morning hours. Rainfall amounts over the last 24 hours or so have been rather substantial in some areas. A station is Siesta Key has reported near a foot of rain with many locations over 5 inches. The observations line up fairly well with MRMS 24 hour rainfall estimates. The higher rainfall amounts have been across Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Unfortunately, the latest CAM guidance suggests another round of heavy rainfall today across southwest Florida. PW values will remain in the 2.1-2.3 inch range, near the maximum climatological values for mid June. Additionally, the jet streak will persist across the northern Gulf of Mexico with the forecast area in the favored region for divergence aloft. There continues to the signal for another round of rainfall near 8-12 inches across southwest Florida over the next 24 hours. The antecedent conditions have changed drastically for these areas over the last 24 hours. Due to these numerous factors, went ahead and extended the Flood Watch northwards to include all of the counties mentioned earlier. Expect the majority of the heavier rainfall will be to the south of the I-4 corridor with much lighter amounts to the north along the Nature Coast. Temperatures will once again be on the cooler side with the persistent precipitation and cloud cover. Highs today will range from the mid to upper 80s for most locations. The upper level trough will pivot across the area on Thursday and Friday. PW values remain well above 2 inches. Models depict numerous to widespread showers and storms during this timeframe as well. The Flood Watch currently goes through Thursday evening but may need to be extended into the day on Friday if current model trends continue. Highs during this period will once again be on the cooler side with highs in the low to mid 80s. The focus for precipitation continues to be from I-4 southward with lower amounts to the north. Models depict ridging returning aloft early next week. This will lead to rising temperatures with highs returning to the low 90s. Rain chances will be more associated with the daily seabreeze activity. A couple of model solutions even want to push a front slightly through the area with dewpoints down into the 60s early next week. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 737 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 A low pressure disturbance remains over the region, with impacts expected at all terminals today. The highest impacts remain for SWFL sites where little reprieve is expected for the next 24 hours. Realistically, this pattern is likely to continue all the way through tomorrow and into Friday, with MVFR to potentially IFR CIGs and VISBYs and gusty winds at times in passing storms. It`s too messy to TEMPO, so have opted for generally more pessimistic forecasts through the period to account for the most prevalent conditions. && .MARINE... Issued at 243 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Tropical moisture will continue to lift north over the region, with southwest to south winds continuing. Multiple rounds of showers with embedded thunderstorms are expected through the end of the week, with winds and seas higher near storms. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 243 AM EDT Wed Jun 12 2024 Numerous to widespread showers and some embedded thunderstorms will continue through the next several days as deep tropical moisture continues over the region. No fire weather concerns are anticipated at this time. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... TPA 87 78 86 78 / 90 80 90 80 FMY 86 76 84 76 / 100 90 100 90 GIF 88 75 86 76 / 90 80 90 70 SRQ 87 76 86 76 / 90 90 100 90 BKV 89 72 87 71 / 90 60 90 70 SPG 86 80 86 80 / 100 80 100 90 && Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Wednesday: 5 Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Thursday: 4 For additional information on sea breeze regimes, go to: https://www.weather.gov/tbw/ThunderstormClimatology && .TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...High Rip Current Risk through Thursday morning for Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Lee-Coastal Manatee- Coastal Sarasota-Pinellas. Flood Watch through Thursday evening for Coastal Charlotte- Coastal Lee-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota-DeSoto-Hardee- Inland Charlotte-Inland Lee-Inland Manatee-Inland Sarasota. Gulf waters...None. && $$ UPDATE/AVIATION...Flannery PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...Anderson