Fire Weather Dominates Tampa Bay’s Forecast

TAMPA, FL — As firefighters continued to battle a blaze that spanned more than 2,000 acres in Pasco County on Monday, forecasters at the National Weather Service were warning that conditions would remain ripe for more fires to spark over the coming days.

In its Monday Hazardous Weather Outlook report, the agency warned that “critical fire weather conditions with a combination of low relative humidity and dry fuel values will contribute to extreme fire behavior” on Monday. Those conditions, the agency noted, are expected to repeat daily through Friday at least.

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Fire weather aside, the workweek ahead is expected to shape up to be a sunny, clear one. Monday is anticipated to kick things off with sunny skies and a high in the upper 80s. Clear overnight conditions are expected with a low in the mid-60s forecast. Some parts of Pasco County where the Anclote Branch wildfire continues to burn may experience smoky conditions throughout the day on Monday. Smoke, in fact, had forced Pasco County Schools to close three campuses in the New Port Richey area. The fire in the nature preserve had spread to 2,275 acres as of Sunday evening and was deemed about 70 percent contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Tuesday is expected to deliver warmer conditions with a high in the low 90s forecast. Sunny daytime skies are expected with clear overnight conditions. The low is anticipated to fall into the upper 60s.

Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be near mirrors of each other. Sunny skies with highs in the low 90s are forecast for both days. Overnight lows are expected to drop into the low 70s. Clear conditions are likely Wednesday night, but some clouds could move into the picture on Thursday.

Friday is expected to bring mostly sunny conditions and a high in the upper 80s. There’s a 20 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms Friday evening as a “cool front” arrives in the region. The overnight low is expected to drop into the low 70s.

Forecasters say the weak cool front may also bring isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms into the region on Saturday.

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

Photo courtesy of Pasco County