As of 5:35 a.m. today, Tampa was clear and sitting near 666F, with bright skies expected through the morning. Most neighborhoods are on track to climb into the mid-80s this afternoon as northeast winds pick up, bringing plenty of sun along with much drier air across parts of the region.
Afternoon Winds And Fire Risk
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the Nature Coast, including Levy County, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. today, along with a Fire Weather Watch for a wider area on Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters expect northeast to east winds increasing into the teens, with gusts that could reach the mid-20s and relative humidity dropping toward the mid-20s to around 30 percent. That combination can help any outdoor fire spread quickly, according to NWS Tampa Bay.
Boaters And Yard Work
A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect into Tuesday for portions of the eastern Gulf and Tampa Bay, so inexperienced boaters are urged to stay in port and tie down any loose gear. On land, the breezy, dry air makes open burning a bad idea; hold off on yard debris fires and shift heavy outdoor chores to early morning or after sunset to dodge the peak gusts.
What To Do
Skip outdoor burning while the Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch is in effect, and keep grills and smokers attended at all times. If you spot smoke where it should not be, call 911 right away. Before heading out on the water, check the latest marine forecast, and during the afternoon heat, make sure outdoor workers, pets, and older neighbors have extra water.
Looking Ahead
Temperatures stay on the warm side this week, with highs in the mid-80s and only isolated late-afternoon showers in the cards. The Fire Weather Watch for Tuesday afternoon (April 21) bears watching if you have outdoor plans. For more on the developing breezy pattern, see our earlier forecast on the breezy start to the week.
