Temps in low 50s possible this weekend in Bradenton after severe weather threat
After summertime-like highs in the upper 80s across Southwest Florida this week, temperatures could drop into the low 50s by the weekend.
A cold front is predicted to pass through Bradenton and Sarasota late Thursday evening, which could cause severe weather and lower than average temperatures.
“Expect multiple rounds of scattered showers, thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, hail, and we can’t completely rule out isolated tornadoes,” said Ross Giarratana, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Tampa.
The prime window for severe storms in Bradenton and Sarasota is expected from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Storms should be more severe mid-afternoon and could linger into the evening.
Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph are possible.
The chance of precipitation is 80%, and hail also is possible.
After the cold front passes through Thursday night, expect an abrupt change with much cooler and drier air moving into the area Thursday night into Friday.
The forecaster said Friday and Saturday temperatures could drop a few degrees below normal for this time of year, to highs in the mid-70s.
Lows Saturday and Sunday nights could dip to 53.
Eighty one degrees is the average in the area during springtime, and expect closer to average temperatures to return Sunday with a high near 79 degrees.
On Tuesday, several Florida cities saw highs into the 90s, including Fort Myers with a record high of 91.
Bradenton weather forecast
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. High near 85. Windy, with a southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday night: Showers likely before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West northwest wind 11 to 13 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North northeast wind 6 to 13 mph.
Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Breezy.
Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
Monday night and Tuesday: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. Highs in the upper 80s.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 2:37 PM.
