Tampa, FL – The National Weather Service Tampa Bay says a dramatic weather shift is on the way this week as a pair of cold fronts move through west-central and southwest Florida, bringing scattered thunderstorms today followed by the coolest temperatures since mid-April.
Showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected through this afternoon as a weak front passes, with rain chances between 30–60% and highs in the mid-80s to upper 80s. Conditions will turn drier and partly cloudy Tuesday as the first system exits.
A much stronger cold front is forecast to arrive late Wednesday into Thursday, ushering in breezy northwest winds and sharply cooler air. Highs Thursday and Friday will stay in the upper 60s to low 70s, with lows dipping into the 40s and low 50s across inland areas.
The NWS warns that hazardous marine conditions are likely Thursday as winds increase behind the front. By Friday, skies will clear, leading to a sunny, comfortable setup for Halloween weekend.
Forecasters note this cooldown marks the first significant taste of fall for much of west-central Florida.
