Tampa is starting Wednesday partly cloudy, warm and extremely humid, with temperatures already around 84 degrees and humidity near 90%. The heat ramps up quickly, with a high near 96 degrees and a heat index that could reach 112 before afternoon storms move through.
Heat Advisory Runs Through Wednesday Evening
A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday across Tampa and much of southwest and west-central Florida. The National Weather Service says the combination of heat and humidity could cause heat-related illnesses, so residents should drink plenty of fluids, use air conditioning when possible and take frequent breaks from outdoor activity.
Morning Showers Give Way To Scattered Storms
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible early Wednesday, with scattered activity becoming more likely between 8 and 11 a.m. Storm chances remain around 50% through the afternoon, when downpours could briefly reduce visibility and leave between a tenth and a quarter-inch of rain.
Winds will come from the west-northwest at about 5 to 9 mph. Inland areas may see the strongest storm development, while coastal neighborhoods could stay a little cooler but will still face oppressive humidity and dangerous afternoon heat, according to the NWS forecast.
Another Hot, Stormy Stretch Follows
Wednesday night stays muggy, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible before 10 p.m. The low will settle near 79 degrees, but the overnight heat index could still reach 104.
Thursday brings another mostly sunny but uncomfortable day, with a high near 94, a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low around 78 Thursday night. Scattered storms remain in the forecast Friday through Sunday, while highs ease only slightly into the low 90s before climbing back toward the mid-90s Monday and Tuesday.
