Tampa rolled out of bed to a mild start Wednesday, with temperatures sitting near 55°F at Tampa International Airport as of 5:40 a.m., and the day on track to climb into the low to mid 70s. Skies should turn partly sunny this afternoon, with gentle southwest breezes around 1 to 8 mph. The catch: pockets of patchy, predawn fog through the weekend that could briefly make early driving feel like a scene out of a mystery movie.
Foggy Mornings, Bright Lunch Breaks
Shallow, patchy fog is expected to form after midnight and linger into the early morning hours, especially in low-lying spots and along inland waterways. The fog should lift quickly once the sun gets to work, leaving mostly sunny afternoons in its wake.
If you are on the road before sunrise, give yourself a little extra time and stick with low beams in fog. High beams can actually bounce off the moisture in the air and make things worse. For a wider look at the pattern behind this stretch of weather, check out our earlier coverage on Tampa’s week of sunshine and mild temperatures.
Thursday Through Monday: Light Showers Then Stronger Storm Chance
A weak front on Thursday brings a slight chance for a few light showers. The main show waits until Sunday into Monday, when a strengthening southerly flow pulls deeper moisture north and ramps up the rain chances.
Forecasters say the heaviest downpours could arrive Sunday night, and the slow movers could drop localized totals of an inch or more, particularly from around the I-4 corridor northward. That raises the risk for pockets of urban or poor-drainage flooding.
On the water, boaters should watch for sea fog off the Nature Coast tonight and be ready for increasing southerly winds by Sunday that could approach Small Craft Advisory levels, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.
What To Plan For
Morning commuters should plan for reduced visibility before sunrise and consider building in an extra 10 to 15 minutes when conditions look hazy. For weekend plans, Saturday is your better outdoor bet, with warm and mostly sunny weather. By Sunday afternoon and evening, have a backup plan that keeps you and your gear out of the rain. This story will be updated if any advisories are issued.
