Beryl Stronger Than Expected

Update, 2:52 p.m.: Beryl has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm, according to the National Weather Service. The storm directly affects portions of southeast South Carolina and Georgia. In Clearwater, Beryl is still expected to cause thundershowers Sunday afternoon and on Memorial Day.

Check your local weather forecast for the most up-to-date information.

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Update, 11:15 a.m.: Subtropical Storm Beryl is a little stronger than expected as it heads toward Florida, according to NOAA.

A United State Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Beryl is centered at midday Sunday about 125 miles east of Jacksonville moving west at 10 mph.

According to NOAA, this motion is expected to continue through landfall tonight, then move slowly west-northwest and then northward over portions of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia on Monday and Monday Night.

Tropical Storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning this afternoon and spread inland tonight.

Little change is strength is expected before it makes landfall. But after landfall, Beryl is forecast to weaken to a depression on Monday.

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Earlier, 9:30 a.m.: Subtropical Beryl may put a damper on Memorial Day weekend plans for folks in the Tampa Bay area.

As Beryl barrels toward Jacksonville, it is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to southwest Florida, including Tampa Bay, later today and on Memorial Day.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a partly sunny day today, with the chance of rain 50 percent today and 60 percent Monday.

Boaters need to be wary of rough seas today and gusting winds.

With temperatures reaching the high 80s, the rain will bring relief to parched areas, where there have been wildfires scorching land and bringing smoke to cities throughout Tampa Bay.

Rain and thunderstorms will continue through Tuesday.