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Published on January 19, 2025
Dense Fog Advisory in Effect for Tampa Bay, Residents Warned of Low Visibility and Challenging Weather ConditionsSource: Unsplash/ Spruce

Residents in Tampa Bay woke up to a blanket of fog this morning, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Dense Fog Advisory effective until 10 AM EST. The advisory, particularly relevant for those in Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, and Pinellas Counties, warns of visibility dropping to less than one mile. Drivers are advised to exercise caution, with the NWS urging them, "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you."

The fog wasn't the only weather woe for locals, as the forecast also indicates a high chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before 1 PM today. Residents can expect, a dip in temperatures throughout the day, going from a high near 72 to about 64 degrees by the afternoon. The winds are also set to pick up, with gusts potentially reaching as high as 22 mph, making it a day to secure outdoor objects.

As the day unfolds, a steady degradation in conditions will introduce a High Rip Current Risk along various coastal areas, including Pinellas and Coastal Lee Counties, among others. The NWS warns of "dangerous rip currents," effective through Monday evening. Beach-goers are advised to heed the advice of lifeguards and beach patrol flags and signs to prevent incidents involving these "powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore."

Looking forward to the beginning of the week, residents across Tampa can expect a cooling trend. While Martin Luther King Day might offer some reprieve with partly sunny skies, temperatures will be notably cooler, with wind chill values dipping as low as 38 degrees early in the day. The chill carries into the night, bundling under a mostly overcast sky and chances of rain picking back up after 1 AM Monday into Tuesday. The consistent message throughout the week's forecast is precipitation, with the NWS posting an 80% to 90% chance of showers Tuesday through Tuesday night. Winds, though less fierce than Sunday's, will still gust as high as 21 mph.

As for the rest of the week, it seems that the umbrellas may not get much of a break. Shower chances persist with a 40 to 50 percent likelihood, and the overcast conditions seem reluctant to part ways with the region. Daytime highs will struggle to breach the upper 50s, with nighttime lows dipping toward the low 40s. By next Saturday, residents can finally anticipate mostly sunny conditions with a high climbing towards a more agreeable 61 degrees, as detailed by the National Weather Service.

Tampa-Weather & Environment