NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FLMA.W 0203September 20, 2026
Special Marine Warning: Tampa Bay waters
The National Weather Service office in Tampa Bay Ruskin issued a special marine warning for Tampa Bay waters, which was in force until 5:15 p.m. local time on September 20. It was the 203rd special marine warning the NWS office in Tampa Bay Ruskin issued in 2026.
ExpiredWarning
In force for 38 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
- Area
- Tampa Bay waters
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 4:37 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2026
- Expires
- 5:15 p.m. EDT, September 20, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Severe, Likely, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KTBW MA.W 0203
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
NWS notices, September 2026The latest from the National Weather Service
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
SMWTBW The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a * Special Marine Warning for... Tampa Bay waters... * Until 515 PM EDT. * At 437 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts was located near Hillsborough Bay, moving south at 20 knots. HAZARD...Waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Waterspouts can quickly form and capsize boats, damage vessels, and create suddenly higher waves. Make sure all on board are in a secure location and wearing life jackets. Expect wind gusts in excess of 34 knots, suddenly higher waves, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours. Make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. * Locations impacted include... Gandy Bridge, Old Tampa Bay, Howard Frankland Bridge, Tampa Bay, Cockroach Bay, Hillsborough Bay, Courtney Campbell Causeway, and Clearwater.
What the agency told people to do
Move to safe harbor until hazardous weather passes.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.