Florida Public Radio Emergency Network

The greater Tampa Bay region is one of the driest areas in the state.

The United States Department of Agriculture highlighted the western half of Central Florida as “abnormally dry” last week.

A few record high temperatures could be met or exceeded on Thursday, especially in the greater Tampa Bay region.

In addition to social media posts, NWS offices will conduct a Tornado Drill on Feb. 9 around 10 a.m. A Tornado Warning message will be aired on all NOAA Alert Radio as part of weekly service testing.

Temperatures are expected to plunge over parts of the Sunshine State in the wake of the storm line.

La Niña is going to lead to drier and warmer conditions across the Sunshine State during the winter months, which could help fuel an active wildfire season.

Expect high temperatures to reach into the lower and middle 80s through the weekend.

We can expect lingering clouds and a gusty breeze by Sunday.

The storm system likely to wash out many outdoor plans Friday and Saturday across the state and will depart the region quickly Sunday.

It's a reminder that we still have a month to go until the end of hurricane season.

Tampa's forecast high of 91 on Thursday would be within 1 degree of its record high set just last year.

Most of the rain is forecast over the Florida Panhandle while rain chances are likely to stay elevated over the state late this week into next weekend.