TAMPA, Fla. — If you’re loving this mid-January warm spell, soak it up while you can. Mother Nature is about to pull a serious bait-and-switch on the Tampa Bay area.
We are looking at a classic Florida “winter” weekend—the kind that makes the rest of the country jealous—before a powerful cold front sends temperatures plummeting early next week. We’re talking a nearly 45-degree swing from Sunday afternoon to Monday night.
Here is what you need to know to plan your week.
READ: Wind-Whipped Flames Spark Intense Two-Alarm Battle On Tidewater Trail In Tampa
The “False Summer” Weekend
For now, leave the jackets in the closet. The next few days are going to feel more like May than January.
- Thursday & Friday: Expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs climbing near 82 degrees. You might see a stray sprinkle this afternoon, but nothing that will ruin your commute.
- Saturday: Aside from some patchy morning fog, it’s looking like a solid beach day. We’ll see plenty of sunshine and highs hovering around 83.
- Sunday: The warmth peaks here. Expect breezy, south winds gusting up to 21 mph, dragging in hot, humid air. Highs will hit 83 again, but don’t let the warm afternoon fool you—changes are knocking on the door.
The Sunday Night Shift
The pattern breaks late Sunday night. A cold front will sweep through, bringing a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. It won’t be a total washout, but you might wake up to wet roads on Monday morning.
The Monday Plunge
Monday is going to be a shock to the system.
You’ll wake up to clouds and lingering showers, mainly before 1 p.m. But the real story is the temperature crash. Despite a “high” near 68, stiff northwest winds (gusting up to 20 mph) will make it feel significantly colder as the day goes on. The warm air will be scoured out rapidly.
By Monday night, you’ll need the heater. Skies will clear out, allowing temperatures to bottom out around 39 degrees.
A Chilly Tuesday Recovery
Tuesday will be bright and sunny, but crisp. We likely won’t make it out of the mid-60s for the high, and Tuesday night will see another shivering low around 40 degrees.
The Bottom Line: Enjoy the shorts weather this weekend, but have the heavy coat ready by Monday evening. You’re definitely going to need it.
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