Tampa Bay Workweek Weather: Heat, Heavy Rain

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents may want to brace for a roller coaster ride in the weather department. The National Weather Service is anticipating a week ahead that includes possible tropical storm conditions and heat index values in the 100-degree range.

Monday is expected to kick things off with a fairly normal weather pattern for this time of year. There’s a 50 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms in the picture, mainly after 11 a.m. The day’s high is anticipated to hit the low 90s, but the heat index value may climb to about 103 degrees, forecasters say. Overnight, rain chances persist at 20 percent with a low in the lower 70s anticipated.

Tuesday is expected to arrive with a 60 percent chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms mainly after 11 a.m. The day’s high should reach about 90 degrees with heat index values once again around 100 degrees. A 50 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms sticks around in the nighttime hours when the low should drop to the mid-70s.

See also: Hurricane Gaston Stalls; Depressions Aim for Florida, N.C.

Wednesday is anticipated to arrive with cooler conditions thanks to the storms that are anticipated to persist throughout much of the day. There’s an 80 percent chance for showers during the daytime hours and a 60 percent chance overnight. The evening low is expected to drop into the mid-70s.

Thanks to a tropical depression moving into the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, forecasters say Thursday could bring tropical storm conditions to the Tampa Bay area. Showers and thunderstorms are possible with a daytime high expected to only reach the mid-80s. Overnight conditions are also expected to be rainy with a low around 77 degrees anticipated.

By Friday, the storm should clear out of the Bay area. Even so, forecasters expected about a 60 percent chance of rain and a high around 88 degrees. There's a 40 percent chance of rain overnight on Friday with a low in the mid-70s expected.

While uncertainty remains on the eventual path of the tropical depression, forecasters expect it to reach tropical storm status before it moves near Tampa Bay. As of Monday, the National Weather Service was warning residents throughout the region to prepare for heavy rainfall with some potential for flooding.

“In addition, winds will begin to approach tropical storm force on some of the Gulf waters along with building seas,” the weather service warned in its Monday Hazardous Weather Outlook report. “These winds and seas could result in a high surf and rip current risk at the beaches.”

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

Patch file photo by Sherri Lonon