Advertisement

Brief cold spell will give way to normal January weather

 
These walkers had plenty of space Sunday along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa as cooler temperatures and light rain defined the day’s weather.
These walkers had plenty of space Sunday along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa as cooler temperatures and light rain defined the day’s weather.
Published Jan. 4, 2016

Following a record-breaking week of holiday heat, the bay area's brief spell of wintry weather (by Florida standards, anyway) should come to an end this week as temperatures return to average.

"We're kind of getting back to where we should be for this time of year, at least for a couple of days," said 10Weather WTSP meteorologist Kate Wentzel. Early January averages see highs of 70 degrees and lows of 51, she said.

Today and Tuesday will be sunny and cool after Sunday's smattering of rain, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s, Wentzel said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, expect average weather, with temperatures in the 70s.

A chance of rain returns Friday and again on Sunday as another front moves through, Wentzel said.

A large ridge of high pressure and sunny skies are to blame for last week's hot weather — including eight days in a row with record-breaking or record-tying heat recorded in Tampa, according to Tyler Fleming, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

Then, a lingering cold front with air from the north brought relief this weekend, he said.

Going forward, this winter looks to be wetter than normal with higher chances of severe weather, including tornadoes, he said. But the temperatures shouldn't stray too far from average.