TAMPA BAY, Florida – The National Weather Service Tampa Bay forecasts scattered to numerous mainly afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms developing today, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, across west central and southwest Florida. Best chances for rain will be across the central and northern portions of the region, especially around Crystal River (60%), Lakeland (60%), and Brooksville (50%). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] National Weather Service Tampa Bay graphic showing high temperatures (92°–94°F) and rain chances (30–60%) across west central and southwest Florida on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.[/caption] High temperatures will reach the low-to-mid 90s across much of the area (92°–94° in most locations) with heat index values as high as 98 possible. Moisture will remain elevated into Wednesday and beyond, with a continued chance of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms at almost any hour plus locally heavy rainfall possible. Weather Outlook The National Weather Service (NWS) Tampa Bay has issued an updated forecast of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing this afternoon and evening. The potential hazards include gusty winds, small hail, lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. The forecast covers areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and northward toward the Nature Coast. Highest temperatures today will be in the interior; rain chances will be highest during the afternoon and evening hours, especially across the central and northern portions of the region. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become scattered to numerous during the afternoon and evening hours today. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] National Weather Service Tampa Bay 6-Day Forecast Rainfall Amounts graphic showing projected rainfall totals of 1.5–4 inches (locally higher) across west central and southwest Florida from Tuesday, May 26 through Monday, June 1, 2026.[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] National Weather Service Tampa Radar for West Central Florida and Southwest Florida.[/caption] Tampa Weather Forecast Today (Tuesday) Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 98. Chance of precipitation is 30-60%. Tonight Showers likely in the evening, then isolated showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Wednesday Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Wednesday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Thursday A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Thursday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.