Tampa rolled into Sunday under sticky, mostly clear skies, with temperatures hovering around 73°F. The heat will ramp up fast, with highs near 91°F on tap today and heat index readings pushing about 97°F. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to pop up this afternoon and evening, ready to crash outdoor plans. A light rain jacket will not be overkill, and brief heavy downpours could quickly cut visibility on area roads.
Afternoon Storms And When They Hit
Scattered storms are likely to fire up along the sea breeze after about 2 p.m., becoming more numerous through the late afternoon and into the evening. The greatest threat looks to be roughly between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay office. Today’s chance of precipitation sits around 50%, and stronger cells could drop a quarter to half an inch of rain in a short burst.
Tonight And Memorial Day
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to linger overnight, with roughly a 70% chance of rain and additional totals of about a half to three-quarters of an inch possible before dawn. Monday, Memorial Day (May 25), will be hot again with a high near 91°F, and scattered storms most likely after 3 p.m.; coverage looks a bit lower than today, but a few storms may still kick out strong gusts. This update follows an earlier forecast that warned of sticky heat and afternoon storms over the holiday weekend.
Impacts And What To Do
There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for the Tampa area, but the National Weather Service cautions that localized flooding is possible where storms train or stall. Avoid driving through standing water and build in extra time for evening commutes, since brief visibility reductions and sudden ponding are likely in heavier downpours. Boaters and beachgoers should be ready to head for shelter quickly if storms develop offshore, as strong gusts could create hazardous conditions on the water.
