TAMPA BAY, Florida – The National Weather Service Tampa Bay forecasts scattered showers and thunderstorms across parts of the Tampa Bay region and Southwest Florida today, Friday, September 18, 2026.
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Radar Loop for West Central and Southwest Florida
High pressure will keep the Nature Coast mostly dry, while scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms develop this afternoon and evening from the Tampa Bay area southward. The highest coverage is expected across Southwest Florida. Storms will generally develop over the eastern peninsula and shift west during the afternoon and early evening.
Stronger storms could produce gusty winds, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall that may cause flooding in urban, low-lying, and poor-drainage areas, with the greatest potential in Southwest Florida. Activity will diminish overnight, leaving partly cloudy to mostly clear skies.
High temperatures today will range from the upper 80s to low-to-mid 90s across the region (Tampa area around 93°F, Sarasota 92°F, Chiefland, Brooksville, Lakeland, and Arcadia 91°F, Crystal River and Fort Myers 90°F, and Sebring 89°F). Heat index values are expected around 98° to 100°F.
Rain chances today range from 10% near Chiefland and Crystal River and 20% near Brooksville to 30% near Lakeland, 40% near Tampa, 50% near Sarasota, Arcadia, and Sebring, and 70% near Fort Myers.
Tampa Weather Forecast
Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 100. East northeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 74. East northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 98. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 90. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and 2am. Low around 74. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday
Isolated thunderstorms before 8am, then isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 2pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 90. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Low around 75. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
