2 Cold Fronts May Bring Change In Tampa Bay’s Weather

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents eagerly awaiting the return of rain may not have much longer to wait. According to the National Weather Service, two cold fronts set to converge on the region may offer some relief from dry conditions while cooling things down just a bit, as well.

Forecasters anticipate Monday will kick the workweek off with partly cloudy skies and a high near 90 degrees in much of the region. As the day moves on, however, a cold front is expected to move into the area, bringing rain chances along with it. Those chances are set at 20 percent initially, but climb to 50 percent in the overnight hours when the low should drop to the mid-70s.

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The cold front expected to approach the region overnight Monday may also kick up a few thunderstorms. Forecasters say those storms may produce locally heavy rain, occasional lightning strikes and gusty winds.

Monday’s cold front is expected to stall across the region on Tuesday, creating increased chances for showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters anticipate a 50 percent chance for showers during the daytime hours Tuesday when the high is expected to climb into the upper 80s. An overnight low of 70s is expected along with partly cloudy skies.

A return of heat is anticipated on Wednesday when forecasters say sunny conditions and a high in the low 90s are likely. Partly cloudy skies with a low in the lower 70s should mark the overnight hours.

Thursday is anticipated to witness the arrival of a stronger cold front, according to the weather service’s Monday Hazardous Weather Outlook report. That front is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms that may be capable of “producing strong gusty winds, hail, locally heavy rainfall and frequent deadly lightning strikes,” forecasters wrote.

Forecasters say Thursday should start out with a 30 percent chance of showers. The high is forecast to reach the upper 80s. During the overnight hours, storm chances rise to 60 percent. The overnight low Thursday is expected to drop into the upper 60s.

Rain chances return at 20 percent Friday when the day’s high is expected to only reach the upper 70s in much of the region. Mostly clear skies are expected in the overnight hours with a low in the lower 60s forecast.

Forecasters are warning that the cold front expected in the region Thursday and Friday may make conditions perilous on local waters for small craft operators. As of Monday, forecasters anticipated winds of up to 20 knots as the front moves through the region.

As of Monday, forecasters expected a mild weekend ahead. Sunny conditions are expected to return with highs in the low 80s and lows in the low- to mid-60s.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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