As Tampa residents wake, they're met with a blanket of fog and a touch of mist this morning, before the possibility of sunshine breaks through. With humidity hitting a full measly 100%, it’s a classic scenario of ‘Florida wet’ before the sunshine state decides it’s done with the murky theatrics. The National Weather Service in Tampa warns of a slight chance of showers between noon and 1pm today, while the fog should give way by mid-morning.
Those pining for the sun will get their wish with highs trending towards a comfortable 76 degrees. Patchy fog however, is expected before 10am which is a typical guest in Tampa's January mornings. The forecast promises winds that are nothing to write home about, light and variable shifting to a more decisive north northwest between six to eleven mph, later on, in the day. And while Floridians are known for their weather resilience, it's worth noting that tonight the mercury is set to dip near 48 degrees – so perhaps breaking out a jacket isn’t the worst idea.
Looking into the week ahead as commuters start their Monday, they can expect partly sunny skies and highs teetering around 68 degrees. But it's not all sunshine; by Monday night, the temperamental Florida skies will turn mostly cloudy, tethering temperatures in the low 50s. That's the pattern for the next few days – a mix of cloudy skies, occasional showers, and moderate temps, as detailed by the NWS forecast, showing a 50 percent chance of showers by Wednesday, only intensifying into the night.
This atmospheric tango between showers and cloud cover continues until Thursday; after that, it's safety goggles off and sunscreen on. Expect a mostly sunny day with a welcome high near 64 degrees. As for the water lovers, take heed, dangerous rip currents are forecasted to join our coastal itinerary, with the NWS issuing a high rip current risk warning from Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon for areas including Pinellas and Coastal Hillsborough, among others. "Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help," cautions the National Weather Service in their Coastal Hazard Message.
As we careen headfirst into the second week of January, Tampa's weather seems poised to deliver a skittish medley, wielding the power to both soak and singe. While the warmth that follows the cooler nights might be a brief respite for some, the game of thermal hopscotch is a reminder that, in Florida, weather is less a predictable science and more an art of potential surprises.
