Tornado watch issued for Bradenton area, and winter temps in the 40s could follow
A tornado watch has been issued in 23 counties across central and southwest Florida, including Manatee County, and will be in effect until 4 p.m., the National Weather Service reported.
A front is moving southeast across the Nature Coast on Thursday morning, the Tampa Bay area late morning and early afternoon, and southwest Florida this afternoon and tonight, the National Weather Service said.
It is likely to bring strong winds, rain and severe thunderstorms.
The weather service said it is possible to see isolated tornadoes and water spouts, minor hail, isolated floods and frequent lightning.
A special marine warning is also in effect in from Englewood to Tarpon Springs until 1 p.m.
This might cause waterspouts in Manatee County as well as wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
Temperatures in the Bradenton area are forecast to dip into the 50s overnight Thursday, and much cooler weather is on the way after that.
More possible storms over the weekend are expected to drop overnight lows into the mid 40s by Sunday night.
Manatee County weather forecast
Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. High near 79. Breezy, with a south wind 11 to 18 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North northeast wind 8 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North northeast wind around 7 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. North northeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North northeast wind 9 to 14 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Tuesday: A 40% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: A 40% chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Wednesday: A 20%chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
This story was originally published December 15, 2022 at 9:33 AM.
