TAMPA, Fla. — If you’re loving this mid-January warm spell, soak it up while you can. Mother Nature is about to pull a serious bait-and-switch on the Tampa Bay area.
We are looking at a classic Florida “winter” weekend—the kind that makes the rest of the country jealous—before a powerful cold front sends temperatures plummeting early next week. We’re talking a nearly 45-degree swing from Sunday afternoon to Monday night.
Here is what you need to know to plan your week.
The “False Summer” Weekend
For now, leave the jackets in the closet. The next few days are going to feel more like May than January.
- Thursday & Friday: Expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs climbing near 82 degrees. You might see a stray sprinkle this afternoon, but nothing that will ruin your commute.
- Saturday: Aside from some patchy morning fog, it’s looking like a solid beach day. We’ll see plenty of sunshine and highs hovering around 83.
- Sunday: The warmth peaks here. Expect breezy, south winds gusting up to 21 mph, dragging in hot, humid air. Highs will hit 83 again, but don’t let the warm afternoon fool you—changes are knocking on the door.
The Sunday Night Shift
The pattern breaks late Sunday night. A cold front will sweep through, bringing a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. It won’t be a total washout, but you might wake up to wet roads on Monday morning.
The Monday Plunge
Monday is going to be a shock to the system…