Tropical storm-like conditions possible as severe storms move into Bay Area this weekend
TAMPA, Fla. - The Bay Area is bracing for the threat of severe weather this weekend.
FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says lightning and storms are returning to the Bay Area this weekend.
He says come Saturday afternoon, winds will be gusting 25–30 miles per hour with waves of rain moving through. As the low-pressure area gets closer into Sunday night, winds will be gusting close to 40 miles per hour.
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Osterberg said all of the computer models predict between 2 and 4 inches of rain coming with the rain this weekend.
According to Meteorologist Valerie Mills, the storm system will be almost tropical in nature as it dives into the Gulf of Mexico and taps into some of the tropical moisture.
Heavy downpours are likely in the Bay Area on Saturday and into Sunday.
READ: Here’s what’s been canceled, rescheduled ahead of severe weather threat this weekend
While we may see a few showers on Saturday morning, the bulk of the rain will fall in the afternoon and evening hours.
Osterberg said the two concerns he has are the isolated severe weather threat for Saturday night and a coastal flood watch come Sunday morning.
A coastal flood watch from the panhandle through Southwest Florida will be in effect Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon as water levels rise 2–4 inches above normal.
READ: Bay Area braces for severe weather conditions amid Hurricane Idalia restoration projects
Wind gusts will reach 40 miles an hour on Saturday.
According to Mills, the storms will move out of the Bay Area on Sunday afternoon.
In anticipation of severe weather, several Bay Area communities are offering sandbags:
Pasco County
Two sandbag stations are available 24/7 to help protect property in low-lying areas from potential flooding:
Magnolia Valley Golf Course- 7223 Massachusetts Avenue, New Port Richey
Pasco County Public Works (C-Barn)- 30908 Warder Road, San Antonio
Due to the potential for coastal flooding, Pasco County is also opening an additional location on the west side of the county. This sandbag site will be open from sunrise to sunset, Friday, December 15 through Sunday, December 17:
Veterans Memorial Park- 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson
All sandbag locations are self-serve and open to Pasco County residents. Sand and sandbags will be restocked daily, weather permitting. Please bring a shovel and be prepared to fill your own sandbags.
Polk County
Haines City
All Haines City sandbag locations are open from noon- 6 p.m. on Friday. The locations are all self-serve and everyone is asked to bring a shovel to expedite the process. A maximum of 10 sandbags will be provided to each household. Bag supply is limited and first come, first served.
Larry Parish Baseball Complex- 2401 E Johnson Ave.
Haines City Public Works- 300 N 5th St.
Webbs Pharmacy- 2200 South Blvd W, Davenport (behind the pharmacy).
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg
Those who show proof of residence can pick up a maximum of 10 sandbags per household. Neighborhoods impacted by Idalia, residents living in Shore Acres, Riviera Bay and Coquina Key communities have priority access between 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. All St. Pete residents will have access to a limited supply of sandbags between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
City's Pavement and Traffic Operations Building -1744 9th Ave N