Today, Tampa rolled out of bed to mostly cloudy skies and thick, soupy air - about 82°F with dewpoints in the mid 70s and humidity near 84 percent. The afternoon is set to crank up the heat, with highs headed for the low 90s and a very muggy feel. A few isolated showers or thunderstorms may bubble up late in the day, mainly over inland spots.
Afternoon Heat and Spotty Storms
According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, mostly sunny skies will give way to isolated showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m., with a high near 93°F and heat index values as high as 102°F. Southwest winds will run light to breezy at 3 to 12 mph with gusts up to 18 mph, which will not do much to cut the stickiness. Rain coverage stays low, with roughly a 20 percent chance, so any storms that do fire will be hit or miss.
This Week: Dry Then Increasing Storms
Wednesday stays very warm and mostly dry, with another high near 94°F before deeper moisture works back in late in the week. Afternoon storm chances tick up Thursday and Friday under continued southwest flow, and coverage becomes more widespread over interior neighborhoods by Saturday and Sunday. Expect the wettest and stormiest stretch of the week over the interior and northern suburbs.
What To Know For Your Commute
Late day storms can quickly turn into brief heavy downpours with dangerous lightning, which may slow evening commutes or disrupt outdoor plans, so be ready for short delays. Areas north of I-4 and other inland neighborhoods are the most likely to catch a stray storm today, so keep an eye on live radar if your drive takes you away from the coast. Flights in and out of TPA should be mostly fine, but an isolated cell nearby could still cause localized delays.
Heat Safety And Local Help
With heat index readings topping 100°F, it is smart to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor work during peak heat, and check on older neighbors, children, and pets. Hillsborough County maintains local heat safety guidance and lists cooling options for residents - see Hillsborough County for details. If you do not have air conditioning, consider spending the hottest hours in an air conditioned public space.
Bottom line: it is a hot, humid week ahead with only scattered storm chances through Wednesday, followed by a growing afternoon thunder threat later in the week. Keep water handy for any outdoor time and give the radar a quick check before you head out.
