Florida Special Weather Statement | Effective 05/18/2026 15:15

Headline: 
Special Weather Statement issued May 18 at 6:15PM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
Event: 
Special Weather Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
May 18, 2026 - 3:15pm
Expires: 
May 18, 2026 - 3:45pm
Description: 
At 615 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over West And East Lealman, or over Pinellas Park, moving west at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Downtown Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Bay Pines, South Highpoint, Harbor Bluffs, Feather Sound, West And East Lealman, Ridgecrest, Gandy, Gulfport, Treasure Island, Kenneth City, South Pasadena, and Madeira Beach.
Instruction: 
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Area Description: 
Pinellas
Forcast Office: 
NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL