What to expect in the Tampa Bay area from Tropical Storm Sara

Tropical Storm Sara formed in the Caribbean Sea.

But what does that mean for the weather in the Tampa Bay area?

Here are ABC Action News Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips' thoughts for Thursday:

1. Sara is still a tropical storm as it moves West. It will drop potentially catastrophic rains on Honduras.
2. In spite of scary looking spaghetti models, it's still expected to dissipate over the Yucatan.
3. Whatever is left as it exits the Yucatan next week will merge with a cold front in the Gulf. This arrives here on Wednesday or Thursday with MUCH cooler air along with it.
4. High shear and cooler waters in the Gulf should prevent it from redeveloping into a tropical storm.
5. This combination should bring us some needed rain midweek. (I understand some are still reeling from our awful flooding. And yet, most of us haven't seen rain in 5 weeks. If we don't start getting just a bit of rain soon, all the extensive growth from Summer rains will increase fire dangers. It's always something, isn't it.)
6. Nothing to worry about at this time. I'll continue to monitor just in case something unexpected happens. I don't think it will.

HURRICANE RESOURCES

• Hurricane Center
• Local Forecast
• Radar