People who are expecting to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and parades should plan on bringing an umbrella, just in case.
Luckily, though, residents across the greater Tampa Bay region — especially those who live near the coast — might get a reprieve from the violent afternoon storms that have drenched the area this week.
As the forecast on the National Weather Service says, there has been an identified pattern in the Tampa area that caused showers and storms.
The rain will continue through the weekend, forecasters say.
RELATED: Where To Watch Fourth Of July Fireworks Across Tampa Bay
However, winds have shifted from the west, forecasters say. This means showers and storms will form along the coast during the overnight and early morning hours, then pushing inland and producing inland afternoon showers.
That’s good news for folks who are planning to check out Fourth of July fireworks along Florida’s west coast.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor addressed those concerns during a Friday news conference to update preparations for the city’s Boom by the Bay celebration along the Tampa Riverwalk, as Hurricane Elsa looms in the Caribbean.
In short, she said, the celebration will go on.
“We are a well-oiled machine as far as our response to any tropical storms or hurricanes,” Castor said. “We are monitoring [Hurricane Elsa]. There is still a lot that is unknown.”
The weather service puts rain chances at 60% on Saturday and 40% on Sunday, so we’re not out of the woods.
But at least residents near the coast could be spared from those violent afternoon storms.
