Florida is well into the hottest, stickiest days of summer and meteorologists are warning of more dangerous temperatures for the foreseeable future.
The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories over the last couple days for much of Florida, including Tampa Bay. Thursday is no exception.
Forecasters warned that theheat index could reach 109 degrees in west Central Florida. The advisory began at noon and will run until 7 p.m. The weather service cautioned the scorching day could lead to heat illnesses.
Tampa Bay is likely to stay in the hot holding pattern through the weekend. Forecasts that show likely maximum feels-like temperature over the next week range from around 106 to 110 degrees in Tampa.
Dry air, and a bit of Saharan Dust, has kept thunderstorms at bay. Afternoon showers typically douse the region during the hottest times of the day during the summer, offering much-needed cooling.
“It’s August, it’s always hot,” said Austen Flannery, a meteorologist for the weather service’s office in Ruskin. “That big distinction is, there’s just no relief in the afternoon.”
August began blissfully soggy.
Nearly 6 inches of rain fell at Tampa International Airport in the first week of the month, according to weather service data.
Daytime highs topped out in the low 80s for a few days, and nighttime temperatures fell into the mid-70s.
Compare that to this week. Without the rain, highs have reached the low 90s and lows have only fallen to around 80 in Tampa.
Lower nighttime temperatures mean that it takes longer for the next day to heat up. That typically saves the region from ballooning heat the following day.
Flannery said a combination of typical high August humidity and slightly warmer temperatures have triggered the heat advisories.
Alex Gasca, 41, of Tampa, plays tennis, while he uses his shirt to wipe off the sweat from his face at Julian B. Riverfront Park on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Tampa.
And more advisories could be coming. Rain chances over the next few days remain largely low. Friday could bring some afternoon storms, Flannery said.
A weather service tool that assesses the risk of heat shows that over next week, portions of Tampa Bay range from moderate to extreme. In the case of extreme heat risk, anyone without access to cooling or water canbecome ill.
Despite heavy downpours in late July and early August, Tampa Bay remains in a drought that ranges from severe to extreme, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor update Thursday.
Consistent above or average rainfall is necessary to recover from the ongoing drought, said Joey Fogel, a senior hydrological data analyst, during a Southwest Florida Water Management meeting on the region’s public water supply on Tuesday.
The Climate Prediction Center shows that above normal rainfall is likely during the fall and winter, thanks to the current El Niño, Fogel said.
An El Niño breaks up developing tropical systems during the summers, but come fall and winter, it can lead to more severe weather.
In late 2023 and early 2024, intense storms during an El Niño led to destructive tornadoes, flooding rains and raging winds that knocked out power.
During the water supply meeting, April Breton, the district’s water use permit bureau chief, said she does not plan to suggest extending the water shortage order that began in March in upcoming meetings.
The order was extended in July and will run through Oct. 1.
“We’ll just see how the rest of this summer goes,” Breton said.
Jeremiah Wilson, 12, of Tampa, drinks some water to hydrate, while he plays basketball with friends at Julian B. Riverfront Park on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Tampa.
Preventing heat illnesses
Heat illness can fall on a spectrum. It can start with cramps or a rash, but in severe cases it can lead to heatstroke.
If you can, only spend time outside during the coolest hours of the day, in the morning and at night. Access to water and hydration breaks are essential.
If you develop a rash, stomach cramps, headaches or nausea, get out of the sun and into a shaded or air-conditioned area to cool down. Often, this is enough to safely bring down a person’s body temperature.
Doctors also suggest shedding clothes to allow for more sweating.
For additional cooling, place a wet towel on a person’s neck or ice packs on their head and armpits. Throwing water on a person can also help.
If you notice someone acting differently or showing changes in their mental status, call 911 and cool them immediately.
For more on heat risks, check out the Center for Disease Control’s website.
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