Thunderstorms, Steamy Temperatures In Tampa Bay’s Forecast

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents and visitors hoping for a break from the heat aren’t likely to get it in the week ahead. According to the National Weather Service, the region is in for a string of days with highs in the 90s and strong thunderstorm chances.

Monday is expected to kick off the workweek with partly cloudy skies and a high around 90 in much of the region. The heat index could climb as high as 97, forecasters say. Rain chances are expected to creep into the picture in the afternoon hours and stick around into the evening when the low is expected to fall into the mid-to-upper 70s.

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Tuesday is expected to be a near repeat of Monday with heat index values once again likely to climb to about 97 degrees. Thunderstorms are forecast to move into the region in the afternoon hours. Scattered storms are expected in the overnight hours when the low should fall into the mid-70s.

Forecasters say Wednesday may shake up the pattern of afternoon storms with a 50 percent chance of rain forecast mainly after 8 a.m. The day’s high is expected to climb to about 90 degrees. Storms are also possible in the overnight hours when the low will fall into the mid-70s.

Showers are likely both Thursday and Friday with a 60 percent chance of storms forecast for the daytime hours. While Thursday is expected to deliver a high around 90 degrees, Friday could be a tiny bit cooler with a high expected to reach the upper 80s. Rain chances are also possible both Thursday and Friday nights with lows in the mid-70s forecast.

While scattered to numerous daily thunderstorms are likely each day of the workweek, forecasters say “severe weather is generally not expected.” They did warn in Monday’s Hazardous Outlook report that “a few storms will be capable of strong winds and frequent lightning.”

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

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