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Severe Thunderstorms, Hail Are Possible In Area Tonight

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By NEIL JOHNSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

Updated: 02/11/2008 11:46 pm

TAMPA - The delightful weather Monday could be replaced this evening by severe thunderstorms, hail and conditions favorable for tornadoes.

An approaching cold front could unite with an area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of Mexico to kick off wind and storms, the National Weather Service said.

The national Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma says there's a "slight" chance, roughly 20 percent, of severe weather across Florida today through early Wednesday.

The low pressure area will provide ample moisture to kick off storms ahead of the front.

Some computer weather models have the low pressure area falling apart before it combines with the cold front. That would reduce the severe weather threat, weather service meteorologist Anthony Reynes said.

If the low pressure area stays together, there is a higher chance for severe weather.

"Either way, it's going to rain," Reynes said.

The front could produce a line of storms and high wind approaching shore late tonight.

The mixture also may create supercells that can spin off tornadoes and possibly hail.

The cold front will probably bring rain into Wednesday, tapering off in the afternoon.

Though tornadoes are more common in the summer, winter storms create more powerful twisters.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731 or njohnson@tampatrib.com.

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