‘Typical’ Weather Returning to Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents who considered buying boats to get around after a string of rainy days waterlogged the region can breathe a sigh of relief … maybe. According to the National Weather Service, the region’s more “typical summertime pattern” of weather should make a return Thursday.

That news might be a mixed bag for some considering it means afternoon and evening thunderstorms and blazing hot days. Residents can anticipate high temperatures returning to the low 90s as the week progresses and reasonably high thunderstorm chances in those afternoon and evening hours.

Wednesday is expected to be the last day of the break in pattern. Forecasters anticipate a high near 90 in much of the region and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the daytime and evening hours. The overnight low should drop into the upper 70s.

Thursday brings a return to “normal” in a very big way with a 20 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms forecast, mainly after 11 a.m. The day’s high should reach about 92 degrees in much of the region. Heat index values could climb as high as 101 degrees, forecasters warn. A 30 percent chance of scattered storms moves in during the overnight hours when the low should drop into the mid-70s yet again.

On Friday, forecasters don’t anticipate storms to move in until the afternoon hours. Storm chances, however, are set at about 60 percent in much of the region. The high temperature is expected to break that 90-degree mark yet again. Rain chances persist at about 60 percent heading into the overnight hours when the low should fall to the mid-70s.

More storms are likely in the afternoon hours Saturday and Sunday. The highs those days are once again expected to reach the 90-degree range.

While severe weather isn’t anticipated as the week continues, forecasters do warn that Tampa Bay’s “normal” storms can pack a punch. Thunderstorms that do develop will be capable of producing locally heavy rain, frequent lightning and gusty winds.

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

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