PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA — Strong thunderstorms moved across the Tampa Bay area Thursday evening, bringing intense rainfall, lightning, and localized flooding concerns, especially across Pinellas County.
Radar imagery around 7:00 PM shows a concentrated line of heavy storms stretching from Palm Harbor through Clearwater and down toward St. Petersburg, with additional cells pushing inland toward Tampa.
Heavy Rain Bands Soak Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and St. Petersburg
The most intense rainfall is centered over central and northern Pinellas County, including Palm Harbor and Clearwater, where radar indicates persistent heavy downpours.
Further south, St. Petersburg and surrounding communities are also experiencing steady rain, though conditions appear slightly less intense compared to northern zones. These storms are producing widespread rainfall totals that are quickly adding up, raising concerns about street flooding in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Frequent Lightning and Strong Storm Cores Detected
Radar returns show embedded storm cores with high reflectivity, indicating not just heavy rain but also the potential for frequent lightning and brief gusty winds…