Tampa woke up to muggy air and mostly clear skies Thursday, with temperatures already sitting in the low 80s early this morning. The heat ramps up quickly from there, with highs heading for the mid 90s and humidity pushing the feel-like temps into the low 100s. Later today, a few spotty showers or an isolated thunderstorm could bubble up, especially farther inland.
What To Expect This Afternoon
According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, today stays mostly sunny and hot with a high near 95°F and heat index values in the low 100s. There is about a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the mid to late afternoon. Any storm that develops could bring a quick burst of heavy rain and lightning that may slow the evening commute. Winds remain light and onshore, so neighborhoods along the coast should feel a bit less brutal than spots farther inland.
Heat Safety And Cooling Options
Local officials report that the city has opened free cooling stations for residents who do not have reliable air conditioning. For locations, hours and real-time updates, residents are urged to sign up for local alerts, per Bay News 9. If you need to be outside, try to avoid hard physical activity during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of water and double-check center hours before heading out.
Weekend Outlook
The heat remains the main story through the weekend and into early next week, with highs holding in the mid 90s and overnight lows in the upper 70s offering only limited relief. Scattered afternoon storms are possible each day, and forecasters expect shower coverage to increase late Monday into Tuesday as storms become more widespread. If you are planning outdoor activities, aim for mornings or evenings and keep a backup plan ready in case storms flare up.
