Cloudy skies and sticky air are greeting Tampa early Friday, with temperatures in the mid-70s and humidity near 100%. The warmth builds quickly, with a high near 89 and heat index values reaching about 102 before scattered thunderstorms roll in during the afternoon.
Storms Arrive During The Afternoon
Showers and thunderstorms could begin popping up around 1 p.m., becoming more likely through midafternoon before continuing into the evening. East-southeast winds will run 7 to 12 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, and a quarter-inch or less of rain is possible in many spots.
Friday night stays unsettled, with scattered showers and thunderstorms, partly cloudy skies and a low around 77. The National Weather Service Tampa Bay forecast puts the chance of rain at 40% overnight.
Coastal Flooding And Rip Currents Remain A Concern
A coastal flood advisory is in effect through 8 a.m. Saturday for low-lying areas in Pinellas and coastal Hillsborough counties. Minor flooding could affect roads, parks and parking lots, while dangerous rip currents are expected along area beaches through Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
Drivers should avoid barricades and water of unknown depth, and beachgoers should swim near a lifeguard. Anyone caught in a rip current should float, avoid swimming directly against it and move parallel to the shoreline when possible.
Wet Weekend Gives Way To A Drier Week
Saturday looks much like Friday, with a high near 89, heat index values up to 103 and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunday is slightly cooler at about 87 degrees but carries the weekend's highest rain chance at 70%.
The pattern changes sharply Monday, when sunny skies and a high near 88 arrive with only a minimal rain chance. Mostly clear nights and highs in the upper 80s are expected through Thursday, making the start of next week considerably less soggy.
