The tropics: System over northwestern Caribbean Sea could bring rain, thunderstorms later this week

TAMPA - As spring comes to an end, weather watchers turn their attention to the tropics.

A large area of showers and thunderstorms over the northwestern Caribbean Sea will likely affect the Tampa Bay area by Thursday and into Friday.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the system has a low chance - 10 percent - of growing into a tropical storm.

Areas of heavy rainfall are expected over Cuba, the Bahamas and South Florida within the next day or so.

The possibility for rain and thunderstorms increases to 50 percent on Thursday and Friday here in the bay area.  We should start noticing a change by tomorrow.

Follow this link for the Accu-Weather seven day forecast: http://bit.ly/vSJ3Qe

Follow this link to download Storm Shield: http://bit.ly/NdSGei