Tampa rolled into Friday, May 22, under partly cloudy, muggy skies, with morning temperatures hovering in the mid 70s and dew points in the low 70s. The atmosphere will not waste any time heating up today, with afternoon highs expected to climb to around 94°F and inland heat index values pushing into the upper 90s. Light southeast winds take the lead early, before the familiar afternoon sea breeze moves in and helps fire up scattered storms later in the day.
Afternoon Heat and Sea-Breeze Storms
The forecast from the National Weather Service Tampa Bay calls for a hot, sticky afternoon, with highs near 94°F and the heat index reaching the upper 90s away from the coast. As the sea breeze pushes inland through the mid to late afternoon, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to pop up. Most of the area will stay dry, but any storm that does form could drop a quick burst of heavy rain and kick up some strong wind gusts, so it is worth keeping an eye on the sky if you have outdoor plans.
Evening and Weekend Storm Chances
Tonight, there is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between about 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., followed by a broader chance through around 1 a.m. Rainfall amounts with any storms are generally expected to fall between one tenth and one quarter of an inch.
Saturday and Sunday are shaping up in similar fashion, with highs near the lower 90s and afternoon storms returning each day. The odds of rain and thunder look highest Sunday afternoon, especially after 2 p.m. Forecasters note that a few of the stronger storms could produce wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph along with small hail, which means evening barbecues and beach runs may get cut short if a storm drifts over.
Drought and Practical Impacts
Despite these daily downpours, longer term dryness remains a concern. The forecast discussion highlights ongoing severe to extreme drought across much of the region, a picture that is echoed on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Those spotty late day showers may green up lawns and briefly wet the roads, but they will not be enough to erase the overall rainfall deficit…