If you have outdoor plans for Saturday, lock them in. It looks like the Tampa Bay area is about to trade shorts for heavy coats in a span of just 24 hours.
Saturday is shaping up to be the “calm before the storm,” offering a nearly perfect afternoon. We are looking at sunny skies and a high near 73 degrees, with a gentle breeze coming off the southeast. It’s exactly the kind of weather locals live here for—but don’t get used to it.
The Sunday Shift
The script flips on Sunday morning. A cold front is expected to push through, bringing likely showers mainly between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. It won’t be a total washout, with rainfall amounts likely staying under a quarter of an inch, but you’ll want the umbrella handy for early errands.
READ: Red Tide Resurfaces: Bloom Concentrations And Fish Kills Reported In Northwest Florida
Once the rain clears, the wind picks up. Northerly gusts could hit 21 mph, ushering in significantly cooler air. Despite the sun trying to peek through later in the day, temperatures will likely top out near 63 degrees before plummeting.
MLK Day Chill
The real shock to the system arrives Sunday night. As the wind settles, temperatures are forecast to nose-dive to near freezing. We are looking at a low around 32 degrees, meaning patchy frost is a very real possibility after 1 a.m.
If you are heading out for Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades or events on Monday morning, bundle up. There will likely be areas of frost before 8 a.m., and despite full sunshine, the high is barely expected to reach 58 degrees. It’s going to be a crisp, wintry holiday.
READ: Frigid Forecast Triggers Emergency Shelter Openings Across Hillsborough County
The Mid-Week Rebound
Fortunately, the deep freeze is short-lived. Monday night will still be biting—with lows around 35 and more frost possible—but the warm-up begins Tuesday.
By Wednesday, the area should return to a more comfortable 72 degrees under mostly sunny skies. We stay in the 70s for the rest of the week, though clouds and slight rain chances creep back into the picture by Thursday and Friday.
Summary timeline:
- Saturday: Sunny, 73°. Enjoy it.
- Sunday: Morning rain, breezy, cooling down.
- Sunday Night: Freezing (32°). Cover sensitive plants.
- MLK Day: Sunny but cold (High 58°).
- Tuesday onwards: Slow climb back to the 70s.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
