Community Corner

Tropical Storm Karen Not Likely to Threaten Tampa Bay

The storm's northward course should keep it far away from the Tampa Bay region, forecasters say.

While folks in the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico are being advised to batten down the hatches, forecasters say Tropical Storm Karen shouldn’t cause much of a stir in the Tampa Bay area.

“We’re not looking at really any significant impacts if any impacts at all,” said Rodney Wynn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Wynn said the storm is anticipated to move on a northward course through Saturday, “staying well to our west.”

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It is expected to make landfall sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in Alabama or the Florida Panhandle.

Although Tampa Bay will dodge the bullet, Wynn did say more moisture should be present in the air as Karen passes by and there is a chance for southwest winds with rip currents. Those currents could make going out on Bay area waters a bit perilous.

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rain chances throughout the rest of the week are in the 30 percent range as Karen makes her way north.

Stay with Patch for updates on Karen as they become available.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here