Bad weather closes Lowry Park Zoo, postpones holiday events

The worst is still to come in what is expected to be a soggy day, night and first part of the weekend.

The heaviest rains have remained directly north and south of the Tampa Bay area - in places such as Lee, Charlotte and Hernando counties - but it likely won't stay that way.

"I think everybody has a chance to get some moderate to heavy rainfall from time to time," said Richard Rude, forecaster with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

That should be especially true tonight as a low pressure system builds over the Gulf of Mexico and intensifies as the cold front that moved south two days ago slides back to the north as a warm front.

Tonight, there's a good chance of thunderstorms being triggered along that frontal boundary, and that should mean the Tampa area is the focus of rougher weather overnight.

"Depending on how strong the low pressure is, the timing and exact location will vary,'' Rude said.

One thing's for sure: keep those umbrellas handy. There is a 100 percent chance of rain today and a 90 percent chance tonight. The rain chance drops to 60 percent the first half of Saturday.

Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the area, with some localized amounts of 3 to 5 inches, said Jennifer Colson, another weather service forecaster.

"Drive safely, and don't drive through areas where you can't see the road,'' Colson said.

Officials are concerned about the risk of flooding to the Manatee River near Myakka Head, the Little Manatee River near Wimauma and the Anclote River near Elfers.

The rain is playing havoc with outdoor holiday activities for this evening, with many canceled or postponed.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is closed today due to the inclement weather but is expected to reopen Saturday. The zoo's 10th annual Wild Wonderland festival now will open Saturday instead of tonight.

Highs today will remain in the upper 50s and lower 60s, with lows tonight falling into the middle 50s.

On Saturday, highs will be in the middle 60s, with nighttime lows in the middle 40s. But those temperatures will likely feel even cooler as high winds are expected to buffet the area.

"Anybody trying to boat tomorrow should rethink their plans,'' Rude said.

Sunday will be a tad warmer, with sunshine and a high of 68 degrees.

But more clouds - and the chance of more rain - are in the forecast for the first part of the workweek.