Scattered Storms Start the Week with Drier Days Ahead

Tropical Storm Cristobal might be churning off the Bahamas, but Tampa Bay area residents can buckle in for a fairly normal week of weather ahead.

That’s according to forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office who say scattered storms and highs in the low- to mid-90s are likely throughout the week.

Monday brings a high chance of isolated thunderstorms, mainly before 5 p.m. There’s good news on Tuesday when rain chances are scant, but things pick back up mid-week with rain chances through Friday ranging between 20 and 40 percent.

The forecast is subject to the track Tropical Storm Cristobal eventually takes, however. As it stands now, the storm’s passing should bring drier conditions “starting Tuesday and Wednesday and maybe Thursday,” according to meteorologist Tyler Fleming.

While temperatures will still hit the 90s, Fleming said the extreme highs of last week should remain in the past for a while. At one point last week, the temperature logged in Sarasota hit the 100-degree mark, he noted.

As of Monday morning, Tropical Storm Cristobal was located off the Bahamas. The storm is expected to reach hurricane force by about Wednesday. On its current track, it isn’t anticipated to strike the mainland United States, the National Hurricane Center reports.

For a complete look at local weather, visit the National Weather Service online.