Florida — Cool air settles across Tampa Bay this morning, catching early commuters by surprise. Breath shows briefly, car roofs feel cold to the touch, and the region starts the day more like late winter than Florida.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures sit in the mid-40s early, then rebound quickly under sunshine. Afternoon highs reach near 70, but the warmth does not hold. A fast-moving system brings increasing clouds and a growing chance for rain later tonight.
Showers become more likely late tonight into Thursday morning. Some downpours may briefly reduce visibility on I-275, I-4, and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Roads turn slick quickly after dry conditions, so drivers should slow down and allow extra space.
By Thursday afternoon, rain tapers as cooler air pushes in behind the system. Highs settle near 60, and a northwest breeze adds a brisk edge. To be fair, skies begin clearing late, but the chill lingers into Thursday night. Lows drop into the lower 40s across much of the metro.
Friday brings a noticeable shift. Sunshine returns, but temperatures remain cooler than average, topping out near 61. The air feels dry and crisp, especially during the morning commute. Friday night stays cool, with clear skies allowing temperatures to fall again into the low 50s.
The weekend offers relief. Saturday and Sunday trend warmer, sunnier, and calmer. Highs climb back into the low 70s, making it feel more like typical February weather. Morning lows remain cool but manageable.
Looking ahead, early next week continues the warming trend. The 6–10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures, hinting that spring-like afternoons are not far off for west-central Florida.
Heading out late tonight or Thursday morning? Watch for slick roads after showers. Did the cold catch you off guard today?
Five-Day Weather Outlook for Tampa Bay, FL
- Today: Sunny early, clouds late, high near 70°F
- Thursday: Showers early, clearing, breezy, high near 60°F
- Friday: Sunny and cool, high near 61°F
- Saturday: Sunny, warmer, high near 70°F
- Sunday: Sunny and mild, high near 72°F
