Tampa Bay residents will experience a dramatic temperature swing this week, with near-summer warmth giving way to a sudden blast of winterlike air by Sunday.
Forecasters say the region will see a familiar pattern through the workweek: dense morning fog followed by mostly sunny, warm afternoons. Areas of fog are expected before 9 a.m. through Thursday, potentially affecting morning commutes, before conditions clear later in the day with light winds.
High temperatures will steadily climb as the week progresses. Highs are expected to reach around 78 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, rise to about 81 degrees Thursday, and peak near 83 degrees on Friday. Overnight lows will remain mild, generally in the upper 50s to low 60s.
The warmth will extend into Saturday, with sunny skies and highs near 81 degrees. However, the summerlike feel will be short-lived.
A strong cold front is forecast to arrive Sunday, bringing a noticeable shift in conditions. Increased cloud cover will accompany a sharp cooldown, with daytime highs dropping to around 67 degrees — nearly 15 degrees cooler than Friday. Sunday night is expected to be the coldest period, with lows falling to around 41 degrees as skies clear.
Cooler temperatures will linger into Monday, when sunny skies return but highs are expected to top out in the mid-to-upper 60s, reinforcing the abrupt return to winter conditions.