UPDATE: At 11:25 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. It is currently in effect until 6 p.m.
The first half of Saturday remains quiet ahead of an incoming frontal system that brings a line of strong-to-severe storms for the afternoon.
Expect rain and storms to begin around 12pm for the northernmost part of our area like Citrus county. This batch of rain and storms will gradually work south and east throughout the day, settling to the south of the Tampa Bay area around sunset.
The primary severe threat will be strong-to-damaging wind gusts around 40 mph, but potentially getting up to 50+ mph in some storms. Most areas can expect locally heavy rain and frequent lightning, with risk like hail and tornadoes being low, but not zero.
Some rain my linger overnight into early Sunday, but will largely clear away leaving Tampa Bay quiet for Sunday afternoon…