The great thaw commenced Friday as temperatures crept back up to normal heading into the weekend.
Morning temperatures in the Tampa Bay area were in the high 40s and low 50s Friday, and they'll top out above 70 degrees this afternoon, "so you won't need your jacket anymore," Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez said.
The area was expected to see a full recovery on Saturday afternoon with high temperatures reaching the upper 70s — about average for late November. The forecast called for a 20 percent chance of rain, Marquez said.
Sunday was forecast to be hot and muggy, with temperatures reaching at least 80 degrees and rain likely.
Thunderstorms could arrive Monday and Tuesday, ahead of another cold front ushering in more cool air in time for the holiday.
Thanksgiving was forecast to be chilly, with lows in the 40s, but should remain dry, Marquez said.