TAMPA, Fla. – A stubborn pattern of high heat and stifling humidity is locking into the region for the upcoming week, though a daily cycle of afternoon storms is set to bring some much-needed rain.
The immediate moisture kicks off late today, with the National Weather Service placing the chance of showers and thunderstorms at 60%, primarily after 5 p.m.
Ahead of those arriving storms, daytime temperatures are expected to climb to a high near 94 degrees, though humidity will push the heat index to an oppressive 97 degrees.
While a light east-northeast wind of around 7 mph offers minimal cooling, any rain outside of a direct thunderstorm hit will likely amount to less than a tenth of an inch. By tonight, the storm threat drops to 30% and mostly tapers off before 8 p.m., leaving partly cloudy skies and a low around 70 degrees.
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As the new workweek begins, Monday offers a brief break from the heavier rain chances. The day will be sunny with a high near 93 degrees and an east wind moving between 6 and 9 mph. The chance for afternoon showers or thunderstorms sits at a low 20% after 2 p.m., dropping even further to just 10% Monday night, with a low near 71 degrees.
From Tuesday onward, the weather settles into a highly predictable, repetitive cycle. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all feature sunny or mostly sunny skies with afternoon highs hovering between 92 and 93 degrees. Each afternoon, there is a persistent 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. as daytime heating peaks.
Winds will remain relatively light, generally blowing out of the east or northeast between 3 and 8 mph, occasionally falling calm. Nighttime conditions through Thursday will stay partly cloudy to mostly clear, with lows slowly creeping up from 71 to 73 degrees and evening storm chances lingering at 30% before 8 p.m.
Heading into the weekend, the atmosphere becomes slightly more unstable, increasing the potential for wet weather.
Friday and Saturday will maintain the sunny skies and the 93-degree highs seen earlier in the week, but the daily chance for showers and thunderstorms bumps up to 40%. Friday night will see a 30% chance of rain continuing after dark with a low around 73 degrees.
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