FLEX NATION

[GREGG THE GREEK]

We're in for a bit of PIMA ( pain in my a...) LOL

In advance of the storm, the National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for the Anclote River area to the Walton/Bay County line. A watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours in the watch area. A tropical storm warning has also been issued for the same area. A warning means conditions are expected to arrive within 36 hours.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office are warning Tampa Bay area residents to brace for severe weather over the next few days. In addition to heavy rain, tornadoes and storm surge also pose threats.

“Copious amounts of tropical moisture associated with this system will support widespread, heavy rains and squalls over this region on Thursday,” the agency wrote in its Wednesday morning Hazardous Weather Outlook report. Forecasters say the interior part of West Central Florida could see rainfall of 4 to 6 inches. The coastal region from St. Petersburg to Cedar Key could witness rainfall amounts up to 10 inches.

“In addition to the heavy rain and flooding threat, increasing wind shear within the atmosphere will bring an increased risk of tornadoes later tonight through Thursday,” the weather service warned.