Memorial Day Weekend Weather: Tampa Bay's Outlook

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents may not have to worry about the storm that’s kicking around in the Atlantic Ocean over the Memorial Day weekend, but that doesn’t mean rain isn’t in the forecast.

According to the National Weather Service, the region is in for a few ups and downs over the holiday. The ups include highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. The downs involve thunderstorm chances nearly every day.

Friday kicks off the long weekend celebration with sunny conditions and a high around 90 degrees in much of the Tampa Bay area. Slight thunderstorm chances move in during the afternoon and evening hours. The overnight low is expected to drop into the low 70s in much of the region.

Saturday is expected to get under way with lots of sunshine and a high around 90 degrees. As the day progresses, rain chances rise to about 30 percent in much of the region. The storms, however, aren't expected until mainly after 3 p.m. Storm chances persist into the evening hours when the overnight low should fall into the lower 70s yet again.

Sunny conditions set the pace for the start of Sunday with a high once again around 90 degrees anticipated. A 40 percent chance of showers is in the cards during the afternoon and evening hours. Overnight lows should fall into the mid-70s.

Memorial Day Monday brings a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the morning hours. The high is expected to reach about 90 degrees in much of the region. Overnight, the low should fall the mid-70s, forecasters say.

Storms that develop over the holiday weekend aren’t expected to be severe. Even so, forecasters warned Friday they may still be capable of producing locally heavy rain, deadly lightning strikes and strong, gusty winds.

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

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