Flood Watch In Effect Most Of Weekend For St. Pete, Tampa

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — It's going to be rainy in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties with a flood watch in effect for most of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of the region could see 2 to 4 inches of rain.

The agency has issued a flood watch from 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday at 8 a.m. that includes the St. Pete area.

Numerous to widespread storms are possible each day through this weekend, the NWS wrote on Facebook. "Coastal areas from the Tampa Bay south through SW Florida are forecast to see 2-4" of additional rainfall, leading to areas of flooding, particularly for areas already saturated from heavy rains earlier this week," the agency said.

Above average rainfall accumulations over the past couple of weeks has saturated soils along coastal areas across west central and southwest Florida. In addition, a tropical wave is expected to approach and move across Florida through Saturday, bringing additional tropical moisture to the area, which will maintain the threat for heavy rain and localized flooding through the weekend, the weather service said.

The heavy rainfall could cause flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas. Flooding will also affect roads, rivers, creeks, and smaller streams. Do not drive across flooded roadways.

Residents living in flood prone areas as well as along rivers and faster flowing streams should keep alert to any rapid rises in water levels and be ready to move to higher ground if flooding is observed, the weather service warned.

Precautions To Take

• A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.
• You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

The National Weather Service Weekend Forecast for St. Pete:

Friday Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 103. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. East wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 3pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. High near 90. Heat index values as high as 103. East wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then scattered showers. Low around 76. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. High near 90. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 9pm. Low around 76. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

For more detailed information about the forecast, visit the National Weather Service website.