By 5:35 a.m. EDT today, Tampa International Airport was already reporting partly cloudy skies, a muggy feel, and temperatures around 75°F. The heat will build quickly, with a hot afternoon on the way and highs expected to top out near 89°F before a front moves in and ramps up the risk for showers and thunderstorms on Saturday.
Afternoon Heat, Then Stronger Storm Chances Saturday
Friday stays warm to downright hot, especially inland where highs once again push into the upper 80s and low 90s. The story changes Saturday, May 2, as a front drops into the peninsula and fires up scattered to numerous storms. The National Weather Service is calling for about a 50% chance of afternoon showers Saturday that jumps into the 70 to 80% range Saturday night. A few storms could turn strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts or small hail, although rain totals look modest, generally around a tenth to a quarter of an inch. For the latest timing and impacts, see the National Weather Service.
Coastal Concerns for Beaches and Boats
Out on the water, conditions get rougher as the front approaches. Winds will increase ahead of it, kicking up choppy seas and advisory-level conditions for small craft from Saturday morning into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service is also flagging a high rip-current risk for area beaches on Saturday. Boaters should think hard about postponing weekend trips, and swimmers are better off sticking to lifeguarded beaches. For clear, life-saving guidance on what to do if you or someone else is caught in a rip current, see NOAA.
How To Plan This Weekend
If you have outdoor plans, try to front-load them into Saturday morning, secure any loose items that could blow around in gusty winds, and make sure you have a wet-weather backup for events, since brief downpours could quickly cut visibility on area roads. Beachgoers should check local flag warnings and lifeguard postings before entering the water, and boaters should keep an eye on forecast updates and be ready to head for safe harbor if advisories are posted. Behind the front, look for a short-lived cooldown Sunday with highs near 81°F and cooler morning lows inland, before the warmer pattern settles back in by midweek.
