Weather alert: Stormy weather expected to linger

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with frequent lightning and strong winds throughout Wednesday could cause damage locally, according to the National Weather Service.

At 10:45 a.m., strong thunderstorms were clustered about seven miles southeast of Greater Sun Center, moving east at 45 mph. The storm, with torrential rain, lightning strikes and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, could potentially affect Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota and other parts of the area, according to the weather service.

An earlier thunderstorm warning for parts of Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties expired as of 10:45 a.m.

A statement on the high risk of rip currents was also issued Wednesday morning, that will run until 8 p.m.

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins reported that the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is open Wednesday, but wind gusts have reached 44 miles per hour. Drivers should use caution when there are strong winds.

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 9:53 AM with the headline "Weather alert: Stormy weather expected to linger."