Sarasota and Manatee counties are in for a sharp weather shift this weekend. Friday stays hot and mostly dry with highs near 90 and only a 30 percent chance of a coastal shower, so if you have errands or outdoor plans, today is your day. Saturday changes things. An upper-level low pulls deep tropical moisture into the region, pushing the rain chance to 60 percent, with the strongest storms developing after 3 to 4 p.m.
Sunday brings more of the same, with likely afternoon and evening storms. That could mean delays for the Buccaneers home opener, since lightning in the area typically forces a pause in play. If you’re tailgating or heading to the stadium, keep a weather app handy and have a backup plan. Boaters get some relief, the current advisory expires and is not expected to return through the weekend, making it a good window to get out on the water early in the day.
Monday holds a 50 percent chance of late-day storms before fall arrives Tuesday evening. Looking further ahead, meteorologists are monitoring a potential tropical system near the Central American Gyre, a reminder that September is still very much hurricane season here on the Suncoast. What’s your plan for dodging those afternoon storms this weekend?
