Tampa is waking to clear skies and sticky air Sunday, but the calm is on a timer: showers and thunderstorms are expected to spread across the area this morning before tapering to scattered storms later. The city should reach near 84 degrees, with up to a half-inch of rain possible and a much brighter, drier pattern arriving Monday.
Storms Arrive Before Lunch
At around 5:35 a.m. Sunday, Tampa was clear and near 79 degrees, with south winds around 17 mph. According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay office, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected between 7 and 11 a.m., with an 80% chance of rain overall before storms become more scattered later in the day.
Forecasters have flagged a risk of locally excessive rainfall across the Tampa Bay area through Sunday morning, meaning brief heavy downpours could overwhelm poor-drainage spots or make roads hazardous. Rainfall totals of a quarter- to half-inch are possible, with higher amounts in thunderstorms.
Beachgoers Face Dangerous Rip Currents
A high rip-current risk remains in effect along west-central and southwest Florida beaches through Sunday evening. The National Weather Service alert advises swimmers to stay near lifeguards and never try to swim directly against a rip current; float, move parallel to shore when possible and call for help if needed.
Sunny Monday, Warmer Week Ahead
Sunday night should turn partly cloudy, with isolated showers and thunderstorms ending around 7 p.m. and temperatures dropping to about 71 degrees. Monday’s Columbus Day forecast is sunny and dry with a high near 86, followed by another sunny day near 87 on Tuesday…