Florida – The holiday week dawns warm and calm across Tampa Bay as Thanksgiving travelers pack the roads and airports. Palms sway lightly in a soft Gulf breeze, and the air feels more like mid-October than late November, with temperatures already pushing into the low 70s before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Ruskin, mostly sunny skies will hold through Thanksgiving with highs climbing near 84°F. Winds will gradually shift west by afternoon, hinting at a slow but steady cooldown moving toward Friday. Those planning road trips on I-75 or I-4 can expect smooth, dry travel conditions with plenty of sunshine across central and west Florida.
Thanksgiving Day itself stays warm and partly cloudy, topping out around 75°F—a picture-perfect backdrop for family gatherings, outdoor football, or early beach walks. However, cooler and drier air begins moving in Thursday night behind a weak front, dropping lows into the upper 40s and low 50s by Friday morning.
Black Friday will bring a refreshing shift. Sunshine returns under clear skies, with highs only in the mid-60s and gusts near 18 mph adding a crisp edge to the air. Early shoppers and outdoor eventgoers may want light jackets before sunrise.
The weekend rebounds nicely, with highs returning to the upper 70s by Saturday and low 80s Sunday under mostly sunny skies—perfect for decorating, dining outside, or hitting the water.
Looking ahead, meteorologists note a stronger Arctic front taking shape across the northern U.S. early next week, possibly ushering in a more pronounced cooldown across the eastern states by early December.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Mostly sunny, 84°F.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy, 75°F.
• Friday: Sunny, 65°F, breezy.
• Saturday: Sunny, 77°F.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, 83°F.
