Tampa is starting Tuesday clear and already sticky, with temperatures around 81 degrees and humidity in the mid-80s before sunrise. The calm morning will give way to a 95-degree afternoon, with a heat index up to 107 and a Heat Advisory in effect from noon to 7 p.m. The best chance for a brief shower or thunderstorm arrives after 2 p.m., but rain is expected to be hit-or-miss.
The National Weather Service Tampa Bay says the advisory covers Tampa and much of southwest and west central Florida, where the heat index could reach 109. Light south-southwest winds of 1 to 6 mph will offer little relief, while any isolated storm could drop a quick tenth to quarter inch of rain.
Afternoon Heat Peaks Before Storms
Temperatures should climb through the upper 80s by late morning and reach the low to mid-90s during the afternoon. The hottest stretch is expected from roughly noon through early evening, when high humidity will make outdoor work, exercise and errands feel especially taxing.
Residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning or shade when possible, and limit strenuous activity during the advisory. Lightweight, loose clothing can help, and checking on older relatives, neighbors and anyone particularly vulnerable to heat is recommended.
Another Hot Stretch Follows Tuesday
Tuesday night will turn partly cloudy with a low around 77, while Wednesday brings mostly sunny skies, a high near 94 and a heat index as high as 105. Thursday should be similarly hot near 95, followed by highs of 95 to 96 from Friday through Sunday and another 95-degree afternoon Monday.
Storm chances remain limited but return most afternoons late in the week, with scattered thunderstorms possible Friday and isolated storms from Saturday through Monday. The broader NWS outlook calls for above-normal heat and daily heat-index readings generally between 103 and 109, so Tampa's summer furnace is not taking the hint anytime soon.
