BRADENTON -- Rainstorms have hit Bradenton and Manatee County, starting about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday -- just as the Weather Channel predicted.

From southern Virginia and the Carolinas to eastern Georgia and northern and central Florida, severe thunderstorms, either from a continuing squall line or new development, will remain a threat ahead of the surging cold front throughout Wednesday, Damaging winds and a few tornadoes are possible. Some tornadoes in the eastern Carolinas may be strong.

Here at home, highs are expected to reach 75 degrees, with the skies clearing by this evening (and if they do, sunset is at 5:43 p.m). It's probably going to remain quite breezy, and will be cooler on Thursday with a high of 64 and low of 50 degrees.