Tampa is rolling into Thursday with clear, sticky skies and early morning temperatures hovering near 66°F. Sunshine will take over quickly, and the city is on track to warm fast, with afternoon highs topping out near 86°F and a light breeze out of the south.
Afternoon And Tonight
Skies stay mostly sunny through the afternoon, and the hottest stretch will run from about 1 to 5 p.m. Winds remain light from the south, then swing around to the north-northeast overnight as temperatures slip back to around 65°F. Clouds increase a bit late tonight, leading to partly cloudy skies by early Friday.
Weekend Outlook
The warmup does not stop today. Temperatures climb into the weekend and early next week, with Saturday expected to top out near 88°F and overnight lows holding in the mid to upper 60s. By Tuesday, readings could nudge into the low 90s. On Sunday there is a slight chance of inland showers and a few isolated afternoon thunderstorms after about 2 p.m., while coastal neighborhoods are expected to stay mostly dry. These trends come from the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, which has no active watches or warnings posted for the area today.
Water Use And Fire Weather
Afternoon humidity will sit just above critical fire weather thresholds, so any brief interior showers will not put much of a dent in the longer-term drought conditions. The City of Tampa is still under one-day-per-week watering restrictions and a Modified Phase III water shortage order, so check the rules before you turn on the sprinklers. For all the fine print on when you can water, see the City of Tampa water page.
Plan For Outdoor Plans
Light winds and abundant sun make this a solid day for getting outside, whether that is errands, yard work, or an afternoon event. Just have water handy and seek some shade during the midafternoon heat. On the water, boaters can expect southerly winds around 5 to 10 knots through the weekend. Be sure to check the latest marine forecast before you cast off.
