TAMPA, Fla. – Holiday plans across the Tampa Bay area are facing a wet finale as a wave of stormy weather moves in for Memorial Day evening, kicking off a week-long pattern of daily downpours and high heat.
According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, showers and thunderstorms are likely tonight, primarily before midnight. Skies will stay mostly cloudy with a low temperature settling around 73 degrees. Winds are expected to remain calm before shifting out of the east at around 5 mph after midnight. The chance of precipitation sits at 70%, with expected rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though localized totals could be significantly higher during heavier thunderstorms.
Tuesday brings a brief break from the rain during the daytime hours, featuring mostly sunny skies and a high temperature climbing near 92 degrees. However, the humidity will push heat index values as high as 99 degrees. A southeast wind will blow between 8 and 10 mph. The rain risk remains low at 30% for most of the day, with storms mainly developing after 4 p.m.
The wet weather ramps right back up on Tuesday night. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to hit the region, especially before 8 p.m. Conditions will be mostly cloudy with a low around 73 degrees and light, variable winds. The probability of rain climbs to 60%.
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Midweek follows a similar summer-like setup. Wednesday starts out partly sunny with a high near 90 degrees and an east-southeast wind shifting south at 6 to 8 mph by afternoon. Storm chances stand at 40%, mainly tracking after 2 p.m. Wednesday night brings a 50% chance of continued precipitation under mostly cloudy skies, dropping to a low of 73 degrees.
The later half of the week sees an even greater surge in moisture. Thursday starts with a lingering chance of showers, transitioning into a 70% chance of thunderstorms after 11 a.m. The high will reach near 89 degrees with a light afternoon breeze from the west. Thursday night tapers off slightly with a 60% chance of rain before 8 p.m. and a low of 74 degrees.
Friday keeps the exact same pattern in place, offering a partly sunny day with a high near 90 degrees before a 60% chance of afternoon thunderstorms breaks out after 2 p.m. Rain and storms remain likely into Friday night before 2 a.m., holding a 60% chance of precipitation and a low of 74 degrees.
The upcoming weekend appears to be the wettest stretch of the forecast period. Saturday brings a heavy 80% chance of showers and potential thunderstorms, keeping daytime temperatures cooler with a high near 85 degrees. The rain chance stays at 60% into Saturday night. Sunday tracks a 70% chance of thunderstorms with a high near 86 degrees, followed by a 60% chance of overnight rain.
Looking ahead to next Monday, the wet cycle shows no signs of breaking, with showers and thunderstorms remaining likely under partly sunny skies and a high near 87 degrees.
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