Tampa is waking up in a haze this Friday, with steamy air and low clouds setting the stage for a tricky commute and a stormy stretch into Saturday. Tampa International Airport (KTPA) checked in around 64°F before sunrise, with air so saturated that patchy to locally dense fog is already cutting visibility in low‑lying spots. Showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to fire up this afternoon and linger into the first half of the weekend.
Foggy Morning Commute
If you are heading out early, be ready for visibility to drop fast. The National Weather Service reports fog trimming visibilities to around a half‑mile or less in parts of the Bay area, a setup that can sneak up on drivers in a hurry. Motorists are urged to use low‑beam headlights, slow down, and leave extra room to stop, according to NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin.
Afternoon Storms Likely
Once the fog lifts, the atmosphere trades one headache for another. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms become most likely by mid‑afternoon, with the peak window roughly between about 1 p.m. and early evening. A recent local forecast on the approaching front suggested planning outdoor activities with a backup plan in case storms arrive.
Rain Totals and Timing
Temperatures should climb to a high near 79°F today before slipping back into the mid‑70s as rain moves through, with an overnight low near 65°F. Forecasters expect most spots to pick up a few tenths of an inch of rain from today into tonight, with some areas seeing a quarter to a half‑inch. Isolated thunderstorms could easily wring out 2 inches or more where cells stall, according to NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin.
Weekend Outlook
Showers should gradually taper off late Saturday, setting up a rebound on Sunday that looks mostly sunny with highs back in the upper 70s. Early next week trends warmer again, with highs nudging into the low‑80s. If your Saturday plans involve parks, patios, or the beach, keep an eye on radar and have a fallback idea ready; an earlier forecast included a brief weekend planning note on how to play it safe.
What To Do
For drivers: slow down in the fog, use low beams, avoid tailgating, and give yourself extra time for the morning commute.
For boaters and beachgoers: watch for patchy sea fog, check the marine forecast before leaving the harbor, and steer clear of small‑craft operations if visibility drops or storms start closing in.
