Sunshine Returns To Tampa Bay’s Forecast (Soon)

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents and visitors who are ready to dry out after days of rain shouldn’t have too much longer to wait. Heavy rain and flood concerns, however, are expected to stick around through Tuesday before sunshine makes a strong return on Wednesday.

Flood watches remained in effect for Sarasota and Manatee counties on Tuesday. Those watches are expected to expire at 8 p.m. Aug. 29.

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Forecasters at the National Weather Service anticipate about a 50 percent chance of rain throughout much of the region on Tuesday, along with scattered thunderstorms. While not under formal flood watches, other Tampa Bay area counties have also felt the effects of heavy rain over the past few days. Some roads in south Hillsborough County closed to motorists Monday night as water reached unsafe levels.

Rainy conditions aside, forecasters say Tuesday’s high temperature should climb to near 90-degrees in much of the region. Partly cloudy skies and a low in the mid-70s are expected in the overnight hours.

Sunshine plays a strong role in Wednesday’s forecast. The weather service, however, says the day should also bring a return of blistering heat with highs in the low to mid-90s forecast across the region. While rain isn’t in the official forecast, that doesn’t mean a few drops won’t fall in some parts of the region before the day is out. The overnight hours are expected to bring partly cloudy skies with a low in the upper 80s.

Thursday is expected to kick off with mostly sunny conditions and a high in the low 90s. Rain chances do move into the picture in the afternoon hours. Scattered storms are possible in the overnight when the low is expected to drop to the upper 70s.

Daily storm chances are expected to continue on Friday and into the Labor Day weekend.

For an extended look at the forecast, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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