Special Marine Warning Issued for Tampa Bay and Coastal Florida Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Ruskin has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Tampa Bay region and surrounding coastal waters. The alert was issued by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL at 6:16 PM EST following radar detection of severe thunderstorms capable of producing hazardous maritime conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions and specific locations:

• Tampa Bay waters, including Hillsborough Bay and Terra Ceia Bay.
• Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out to 20 nautical miles.
• Offshore waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL from 20 to 60 nautical miles.
• Specific Landmarks: Howard Frankland Bridge, Longboat Key, Cockroach Bay, Anna Maria Island, Pass-A-Grille Channel, Southwest Channel, and Saint Pete Beach.
• Reef Locations: D5 Reef, Manatee Nearshore Reef, Madeira Beach Reef, Md1 Reef, M7 Reef, M8 Reef, M1 Reef, M6 Reef, D1 Reef, and D4 Reef.

What You Should Do

Mariners are urged to move to safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes. Thunderstorms can produce sudden waterspouts that can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Ensure all persons on board are in a secure location and wearing life jackets. Seek safe harbor immediately to avoid dangerous conditions.

Expected Conditions

At 6:15 PM EST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Dunedin to 42 nautical miles west of Longboat Pass, moving east at 20 knots. Expected hazards include:

• Waterspouts: Capable of quickly forming and capsizing vessels.
• Wind: Gusts in excess of 34 knots.
• Waves: Suddenly higher waves and locally hazardous seas.
• Additional Hazards: Frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 6:16 PM EST on February 27. The alert is currently scheduled to expire at 7:15 PM EST on February 27.