The Tampa Bay area is currently enduring a heatwave, with temperatures soaring to nearly 95 degrees. The National Weather Service forecasts that this intense heat will transition into a stormy weekend pattern. Today, residents can expect mostly sunny skies with heat index values making it feel like 98 degrees. Winds will remain calm, shifting to a northeast direction at 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
As the week progresses, Tuesday will mirror Monday’s conditions, with partly sunny skies and a high near 93 degrees. The heat index will hover around 97 degrees. The evening will bring mostly cloudy skies with a low of 74 degrees and an east wind moving between 5 and 8 mph.
Midweek Weather Shift
Wednesday marks the beginning of a shift towards wetter weather. The day will start mostly sunny, with a high near 94 degrees, but a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected after 2 p.m. These storms may linger into the evening with a 30 percent chance of continuation before tapering off by 8 p.m., leaving a partly cloudy night with a low around 75 degrees.
By Thursday, rain chances increase significantly, with a 60 percent likelihood of showers and thunderstorms developing after 2 p.m. High temperatures will hit 94 degrees. The National Weather Service indicates that storms are likely to continue into Thursday night, mainly before 8 p.m., with temperatures dropping to a low around 75 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
Weekend Storms
Friday offers a slight reprieve with a 50 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, mostly after 2 p.m., and a high near 92 degrees. Friday night carries a 30 percent chance of rain before 2 a.m., with a low around 76 degrees.
The weekend will bring consistent wet weather, with Saturday, Saturday night, and Sunday all carrying a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the period, with high temperatures steady at 92 degrees and nighttime lows dipping to 75 degrees. Daytime skies will range from mostly sunny to partly sunny, turning mostly cloudy at night.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
