Tropical Storm Debby expected to add a lot of rain to Tampa Bay area
Tampa Bay TimesSaturday, June 23, 2012 2:35pm
TAMPA — For now, it looks like the fourth named storm of 2012 will land on someone else's shores.
But a reprieve from Tropical Storm Debby won't spare the Tampa Bay area days of rain, thunderstorms, moderate winds, high surf and rip currents, according to the National Weather Service in Ruskin.
"The main impact will be lots of rain and above normal winds," said John McMichael, a weather service meteorologist.
Debby's formation on Saturday makes it the earliest the fourth storm of the season has ever formed. The previous mark was set by Dennis, which became a tropical storm on July 5, 2005.
Tropical Storm Debby was moving slowly northward from waters off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula when the center issued its 5 p.m. advisory, and wasn't expected to move much from that spot in coming days.
While Debby was still balanced between two pressure systems that could tip it eastward toward Florida or westward toward Texas, forecasters said it seemed to be growing more likely that the storm would take the westward track.
But either way, Tampa Bay area residents should rethink their outdoor plans through Tuesday.
"Expect heavy rain especially Sunday and Monday, possibly into Tuesday," Bay News 9 forecaster Diane Kacmarik said Saturday afternoon. "Tides will be a bit higher than normal, maybe 1 to 2 feet. High tides will be around daybreak Sunday and again at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m."
A small craft advisory has been issued because of the storm in the gulf as well as a beach advisory from the Bay area down to Fort Myers.
"There's an increased threat of rip currents and the surf could get as high a 2 to 4 feet up near Cedar Key," McMichael said.
Rain chances are 80 percent for today, 70 percent for Monday and 60 percent for Tuesday.
Has the rain spoiled your Sunday plans? Check out www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/ . Here are a few of the events you'll find listed.
Tampa Bay Home Show
Some of the area's top home improvement experts will be on hand, along with more than 600 exhibits with everything related to Florida homes
Price: Free.
Location: Tropicana Field, 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg, 33705
CFA Championship and Household Pet Cat Show
Eight different judges from across the country judge hundreds of cats in different breeds for best in breed and then best in show.
Price: $12, $10 seniors/children, free ages 6 and younger.
Location: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa, 33602
Tampa Bay Men's Roller Derby
The Gulf Coast Hurricanes of the TBMRD come head to head with the River City Rejects of the Magic City Misfits.
Price: $10 advance, $12 at the door, 8 and younger free.
Location: Skateplex of Temple Terrace, 5313 E Busch Blvd., Temple Terrace, 33617
Don't let the rain keep you home
Has the rain spoiled your plans for today? Check out www.tampabay.com/things-to-do. Here are a few of the events you'll find listed.
Tampa Bay Home Show
Some of the area's top home improvement experts will be on hand, along with more than 600 exhibits with everything related to Florida homes
Price: Free. Location: Tropicana Field, 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg
CFA Championship and Household Pet Cat Show
Eight judges from across the country judge hundreds of cats for best in breed and then best in show.
Price: $12, $10 seniors/children, free ages 6 and younger. Location: Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St., Tampa
Tampa Bay Men's
Roller Derby
The Gulf Coast Hurricanes of the TBMRD come head to head with the River City Rejects of the Magic City Misfits.
Price: $10 advance, $12 at the door, 8 and younger free. Location: Skateplex of Temple Terrace, 5313 E Busch Blvd., Temple Terrace
Tropical Storm Debby expected to add a lot of rain to Tampa Bay area 06/23/12
[Last modified: Sunday, June 24, 2012 1:59am]
© 2013 Tampa Bay Times
Loading...