The drier air we have lately will slowly give way to more humid conditions. The steady easterly breeze is being caused by a high over New England and a stalled stationary front over the Keys. Together the pressure gradient is tight resulting in gusts to 25 m.p.h. across the area. This wind direction is transporting showers from the east coast into the Tampa Bay area. Most are quick and light. This will be the pattern through Friday with late day showers. The breeze should relax into the weekend.
Temperatures will be warm with highs near 90 all the way through the weekend with rain chances rising to around 30-40%.By early next week low pressure may move into the central Gulf which could increase rain locally Monday.
Tonight: Partly cloudy skies with comfortable temperatures dipping to between 68-75. Winds NE 5 mph.
Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind becoming picking up to 15-20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Rain up to a quarter of an inch.
Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east northeast 10-15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Weekend: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Marine Forecast: Small Craft Exercise Caution advisory, winds NE 15-20kts, seas 2-4' building offshore - near flat at the beach, choppy on the bay.
Meteorologist Mark Collins