Beach day? Temperature to push 90 before another weekend cold front cools off Tampa Bay

As news of Florida’s three reported cases of coronavirus continues to grow, there’s no doubt it’s been a stressful, high-alert week in Tampa Bay. Which could make Wednesday’s weather the perfect excuse for a quick trip to the beach.

According to Spectrum Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez, Wednesday will have a near zero-percent chance of rain and be warmer and more humid than normal with temperatures running the gamut from low to upper-80s depending on your location.

“This time of year, it really depends on your location or the wind direction,” she said.

Marquez said it’ll be warmer further inland and a bit cooler near the coast. Tampa should reach 83 degrees, while Pinellas should be a few degrees cooler. Plant City could get as high as 87.

According to the National Weather Service, higher-than-normal humidity could send the heat index to the 90-degree mark. Without respite from a coastal breeze, shortcake might not be the only thing to get sticky at the Florida Strawberry Festival today.

Near the beaches, weather should be partly sunny and nice as long as sea fog stays away, Marquez said. The sea breeze will help cut some of the humidity and make it a pleasant day. Water temperature at Clearwater Beach was 67 degrees Wednesday morning, just a few degrees under where the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said most people feel comfortable swimming.

“If you’re out and it’s sunny where you are, it’ll make it feel at least a little better,” Marquez said. “The bottom line is, air conditioners, they’re gonna be on today, tonight and maybe tomorrow.”

But Friday and into the weekend could be the time to open those windows up. A cold front will swing through the region Thursday, bringing with it an increased chance of wind and rain, especially Thursday evening. But then the weather will cool off and dry out by Friday. Lows could hit the 40s this weekend, with pleasant afternoons in the 70s.