By 5:35 a.m. EDT today, Tampa International Airport was already reporting partly cloudy skies, a muggy feel, and temperatures around 75°F. The heat will build quickly, with a hot afternoon on the way and highs expected to top out near 89°F before a front moves in and ramps up the risk for showers and thunderstorms on Saturday.
Afternoon Heat, Then Stronger Storm Chances Saturday
Friday stays warm to downright hot, especially inland where highs once again push into the upper 80s and low 90s. The story changes Saturday, May 2, as a front drops into the peninsula and fires up scattered to numerous storms. The National Weather Service is calling for about a 50% chance of afternoon showers Saturday that jumps into the 70 to 80% range Saturday night. A few storms could turn strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts or small hail, although rain totals look modest, generally around a tenth to a quarter of an inch. For the latest timing and impacts, see the…..