Tampa woke up this morning, March 29, to clear skies, muggy air and temperatures in the upper 60s. Expect mostly sunny conditions and a high near 82°F, but an east-northeast breeze will make the bay choppy, with winds near 14 mph and gusts up to about 21 mph. There is a slight chance of afternoon showers or an isolated thunderstorm after 2 p.m., mainly south of I-4, so waterfront plans could get a brief splash.
Afternoon Winds And Shower Chances
Skies stay mostly sunny through much of the day, with only about a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m. The better shot at widespread rain arrives Monday, March 30, when showers and storms are likely after 2 p.m. and highs climb to around 85°F. The National Weather Service office in Tampa Bay notes that Monday’s storms could bring brief heavy downpours, although overall rain totals are expected to be light.
Marine Conditions And Safety
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for Tampa Bay and nearby Gulf waters through 3 p.m. EDT Sunday, March 29, warning that conditions will be hazardous to small craft. A National Weather Service marine bulletin says northeast winds could reach 20 to 30 kt (roughly 25 to 35 mph) with seas at times building to 4 to 7 ft. Inexperienced boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders are urged to stay in port, secure loose gear and wear life jackets if they choose to head out despite the rough conditions.
Week Ahead: Warm And Muggy
Low-level moisture hangs around through Tuesday, keeping daily afternoon shower chances in the mix as highs warm into the mid-80s. By midweek, high pressure builds and afternoons trend hotter and stickier, with only isolated storms expected and temperatures pushing into the upper 80s by Thursday and Friday. Rain totals through early next week are likely to stay modest, so any break from ongoing dry conditions across parts of the region will be limited.
