Tampa woke to clear, muggy skies this morning, with temperatures in the low 70s and humidity already feeling sticky. Today’s high is forecast near 96°F, with a heat index up to about 97°F this afternoon, so the midday and late afternoon hours will be the toughest. East winds will stay light, around 3 to 7 mph, which means inland neighborhoods are in line for the hottest readings. Keep water close, pace yourself, and avoid strenuous outdoor work during peak heat.
Afternoon Heat
Highs are expected to land in the mid 90s today, with localized feels-like readings pushing into the upper 90s and into the low 100s Monday. According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, ridging aloft will keep temperatures running above normal through early this week, and heat indices may top 100°F each afternoon. With only light east winds, many neighborhoods will not get much relief from the sea breeze.
Midweek Storm Risk
The ridge starts to weaken by midweek as deeper Gulf moisture moves north, which will boost the chance of showers and thunderstorms from Wednesday into the weekend. Rain chances go from near zero today to roughly 20% Tuesday, about 40% Wednesday, and as high as 60% by Thursday and Friday. Any storms that do fire could bring heavy downpours, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. We covered timing and sea-breeze impacts in our Friday update: Tampa heat, highs near 93°F today.
Plan Ahead
Hydrate, schedule any heavy work for the morning or evening, and keep flexible plans for outdoor events in case storms pop up. If you need a cool place to ride out the worst of the heat, the City of Tampa lists cooling-station and heat-safety resources on its website. Check short-range forecasts before heading out, and move indoors right away if you hear thunder.
Bottom Line
There are no watches or warnings in effect for the Tampa area right now, but the pattern is set to shift by midweek, so keep an eye on updates. For the latest forecast and any advisories, follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.
