Special Marine Warning Issued for Tampa Bay and Coastal Waters
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Tampa Bay waters and adjacent coastal areas until 2:30 PM EDT due to severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts.
According to the National Weather Service in Ruskin, radar indicated severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts at 12:52 PM EDT. The storms were located along a line extending from 8 nautical miles west of Johns Pass to near Anna Maria and 8 nautical miles west of Siesta Key, moving east at 20 knots.
Hazards associated with the warning include wind gusts of 34 knots or greater, waterspouts, suddenly higher waves, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours. Waterspouts can form quickly and capsize boats, damage vessels, and create suddenly higher waves.
Impacted locations include Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay, Terra Ceia Bay, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach Reef, Manatee Nearshore Reef, Howard Frankland Bridge, Tierra Verde, Belleair Beach, Cockroach Bay, M7 Reef, Saint Armands Key, M8 Reef, Pass-A-Grille Channel, Southwest Channel, M1 Reef, Bradenton Beach, and Redington Beach.