Tampa Bay Weekend Weather: Thunderstorms, Heat Likely

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents with big outdoor plans over the weekend may want to consider keeping an umbrella on hand.

According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are strong possibilities each afternoon this weekend. Heat, too, will be a concern with highs in the low 90s and heat index levels climbing into the 100-degree range.

Friday kicks things off with a high around 92 degrees expected in much of the Bay area. Sunny conditions are anticipated to give way to a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon hours. The heat index is anticipated to reach about 101 degrees.

Friday afternoon’s rain chances continue into the evening hours. Forecasters say there’s about a 30 percent chance for evening thunderstorms. The overnight low is expected to only fall into the mid-70s.

Saturday is expected to begin with sunny conditions and a high around 92 degrees in much of the region. A 30 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms moves into the picture in the afternoon hours with heat index values anticipated to reach about 99 degrees or so. Overnight, the temperature is once again expected to fall into the mid-70s with a 30 percent chance of storms.

Sunday is expected to arrive with mostly sunny conditions in the morning hours and a high in the low 90s. There’s a 40 percent chance of storms anticipated moving into the afternoon hours. Those storm chances stick around into the evening hours when the low is expected to fall into the mid-70s.

While organized severe weather isn’t expected over the weekend, forecasters do warn afternoon storms could produce strong, gusty winds, heavy rain and lots of lightning.

Scattered thunderstorms are also in the cards heading into the workweek. As of Friday morning, forecasters expected a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms during the daytime hours on Monday. The day’s high is anticipated to reach the low 90s.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s home page.

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