The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 5 p.m. for counties throughout Florida, including Tampa Bay.
The tornado watch is in effect for Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Manatee, Hernando, Highlands, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hardee, Lee, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties.
There is a possibility of severe thunderstorms on Thursday before 8 p.m. with west-southwest winds of 20 to 23 mph and gusts as high as 32 mph. thunderstorm.