Tampa, FL – Heavy humidity and an early taste of summer are settled over the Gulf Coast as temperatures climb toward the 90-degree mark. Residents stepping outside this morning are met with a thick 90% humidity level and a calm start, but a significant warming trend is ready to push the region into mid-summer territory within the next 48 hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, the mercury will hit a high of 85°F today under clear, sunny skies. While the morning remains peaceful at Peter O Knight Airport, a shift in wind patterns from the east will transition to a southerly flow by this afternoon, drawing in even warmer air that sets the stage for a sweltering Friday and Saturday.
Drivers on I-275 and the Selmon Expressway should prepare for a change in conditions by Saturday night. While the daytime remains dry and sunny with a peak high of 88°F, the atmosphere shifts late in the weekend. A breezy northeast wind will pick up speed, gusting as high as 26 mph. By Sunday afternoon, the sunshine gives way to a 20% chance of showers after 2 p.m., potentially slowing down the return commute for Spring Break travelers.
High-pressure dominance ensures a “summer tease” for most of the window, though the gusty winds on Sunday could impact high-profile vehicles on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With dewpoints sitting in the upper 60s, it will feel significantly more “sticky” than typical March weather. Keep hydrated if you are heading to the beaches or local parks, as the UV index will be pinned at extreme levels through Saturday afternoon.
Conditions are expected to remain warm but slightly more unsettled as we head into early next week. Are you hitting the water to beat the Saturday heat, or waiting for the Sunday cool-down?
Five Day Forecast for Tampa, Florida
- Thursday: Sunny with a high near 85°F. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny and warmer with a high near 87°F. Light winds becoming west.
- Saturday: Hot and sunny with a high near 88°F. Gusts reaching 26 mph at night.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, 20% chance of showers after 2 p.m. High near 80°F.
- Monday: Sunny and pleasant with a high near 84°F.
