Tampa woke up to a cloudy, muggy Sunday with temperatures around 64°F at Tampa International Airport, but the city is already on the rebound. Skies are expected to clear through the day, setting up a mostly sunny afternoon with a high near 84°F and a light north-northeast breeze around 8 to 9 mph.
Afternoon Outlook
Most Tampa neighborhoods look to stay dry through the afternoon with only a very small chance of rain in the city itself. The better shot at wet weather will be to the south, where a band of showers and isolated thunderstorms could fire up later today south of Sarasota and across parts of southwest Florida.
Boaters will want to stay cautious this morning. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for portions of the northern and central Gulf waters, with hazardous conditions expected to ease by midday as winds lose some punch. According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, highs should top out near 84°F, with humidity gradually backing off into the evening.
Beaches and Boating
Rip currents and rough seas made Saturday a mess along the shoreline, and conditions are still settling down. For a refresher on how wild it got, see rip currents roaring at Tampa beaches.
Today, lifeguard flags and local beach postings remain your best reality check. If you spot red flags or hear a lifeguard warning, skip the swim and hold off on small-boat trips until the seas calm down. Your best bet for beach time is earlier in the day when conditions are typically calmer, and it is smart to check local advisories before you toss the cooler in the car.
Week Ahead
High pressure builds over the region early this week, and that means a warming trend. Forecasters expect highs near 88°F on Monday, around 91°F on Tuesday and close to 92°F on Wednesday, with mostly sunny skies and low rain chances through midweek. A frontal boundary may creep toward the area late in the week, which could bump up the odds of afternoon showers or thunderstorms by Friday and Saturday. Those trends are outlined by the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.
Bottom line, this afternoon and the first half of the week look favorable for outdoor plans, as long as you are ready for heat. Bring water and shade, and keep an eye on changing conditions if you are headed to the beaches or the bay. If you plan to take a boat out, wait until marine advisories are lifted and always check flags and local marine forecasts before you leave the dock.
