Tampa hits 100 degrees for 1st time in recorded weather history. Will it continue?

Tampa avoided a second day of record-breaking 100-degree temperatures on Monday, but dangerous heat index levels remained as the area contended with a historic blast of steamy weather that will continue at least through Tuesday.The thermometer at Tampa International Airport topped out at 95 on Monday afternoon, below the 100 degrees it reached on Sunday, which was the highest temperature recorded in Tampa since weather record-keeping began in 1890.However, humidity pushed the feels-like temperature to a heavy 117 degrees at about 3 p.m. Monday, just one degree short of the highest noted in unofficial records kept since 1948. Patchy afternoon storms rolled in, cooling parts of the area on Monday afternoon. Some got rough, with warnings of possible 50-mph winds in a stretch of southern Pinellas County. An extreme heat warning , a rare step up from a heat advisory, is in effect Tuesday from noon until 7 p.m. The warning extends across much of central Florida, including Tampa Bay. A treacherous combination of warmth and humidity could cause heat index values to surge to 118 degrees. The city of Tampa announced Monday afternoon it would open three cooling stations from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, and again on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.“Cooling stations are open to all residents, especially those without access to air conditioning,” the city said.In sticky, humid west-central Florida, it’s not uncommon for the heat index to soar into the 100s, but the average actual temperature — which does not factor in humidity — rarely exceeds 95 degrees. Climate scientists say heat waves are becoming more common and lengthier due to human-caused climate change.The extreme heat gripping Florida this week was made five times more likely by climate change, according to an analysis by nonprofit Climate Central , which is based on federal weather data.Sunday’s heat broke the previous record of 99 degrees last set on June 26, 2020.Tampa wasn’t the only city to break records on Sunday. In St. Petersburg, the high reached 96, a record for the day. In Ruskin, the heat topped out 98, also a daily record. Brooksville set a new daily record high of 99.There are three main factors that led to Tampa hitting 100 degrees, said Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist for Tampa Bay’s National Weather Service. Sunday began warm, around 83 degrees at the airport. In addition, the day was dry. A combination of Saharan dust lingering in the area and little cloud cover led to climbing temperatures. And lastly, the sea breeze (which typically cools down the area) was missing. A change in wind direction held back the sea breeze, and any chance to slow the rising heat. However, a little extra moisture Monday added to some cloud cover, which tamped down the heat. A westerly wind also helped cool things off.A heat advisory began at noon Monday across much of central Florida, including Tampa Bay, and went until 7 p.m. From Jacksonville south to Palatka, federal forecasters issued a rare extreme heat warning, which is a level up from an advisory.“The only way to really feel relief from a humid heat like this is to be inside,” Shiveley said. The weather service advised staying indoors, in air conditioning. If you have to be outside, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids, the weather service said. “We just hit the hottest temperature ever recorded in Tampa — we’ve got records back to the 1890s,” Shiveley said. “This is not our normal heat.” The dangerous heat is likely to remain through Tuesday, Shiveley said. By Wednesday, high temperatures in Tampa are likely to pull back a bit from the upper 90s to near the mid-90s. The ongoing heat wave proved to be too much even for animals acclimated to life outdoors.Nine lucky horses were being taken from Hasenback Equestrian in Largo to air-conditioned facilities at the Ocala World Equestrian Center to escape the heat Monday evening, said farm owner Lisa Hasenback.When nightly low temperatures stay above 80, some horses begin to “shut down” and stop sweating, she said. It can be deadly.At the Largo family farm, staff brought out fans and hoses to cool off the animals who stayed behind. Spraying horses after riding is a common method to help lower their core body temperature and prevent dehydration and heat stress.On a typical summer day, horses might be sprayed once. But this week, the animals required multiple showers, Hasenback said.“Once they start to cool down ... they get a brighter look in their eye,” she said. “They certainly perk up and are grateful for that relief.” Times staff writer Douglas R. Clifford contributed to this report. - Barksdale Adult Activity Center, 1801 N. Lincoln Avenue - George Bartholomew Center, 8608 N. 12th Street - Cuscaden Pool, 2900 N. 15th Street The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida‘s most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here .

Tampa hits 100 degrees for 1st time in recorded weather history. Will it continue?

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Tampa hits 100 degrees for 1st time in recorded weather history. Will it continue?

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