Climate of the Tampa Bay area

The Tampa Bay area has a special kind of weather called a humid subtropical climate, which means it is very warm and moist most of the time. This climate is almost like a tropical climate, especially near the water. There are two main seasons: a hot and wet time from May to October, and a milder, drier time from November to April.

Most of the rain in this area falls between June and September. The United States Department of Agriculture says that plants that need very warm weather, like coconut palms and royal palms, can grow here because it is so warm. Temperatures usually stay between 65 and 95 °F (18–35 °C) all year. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Tampa, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida was exactly 100 °F (38 °C), which happened for the first time in Tampa on July 27, 2025.

Because Pinellas County is on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and Tampa, Florida is also on a smaller peninsula, the nearby water helps keep temperatures comfortable and adds a lot of humidity to the air. Places farther from the coast have bigger changes in temperature during the day and throughout the seasons.

Seasonal weather

The warm and rainy season in the Tampa Bay area usually starts in late May and lasts until October. During this time, temperatures are warm, often reaching the low 90s °F, with nighttime lows in the mid-70s °F. The warm weather and high humidity often lead to daily rain and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons. The weather stays fairly consistent, with temperatures staying close to the average for each date.

In summer, the mix of warm days and sea breezes from the Gulf and Atlantic creates clouds and storms across Central Florida. These storms usually bring rain in the afternoons and clear up by sunset, though sometimes they can continue into the night. Summer storms often come with heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning. While tornadoes can happen, they are usually small and short-lived.

The dry season starts around November and lasts until early May. The weather is usually sunny and mild, with temperatures cooling down through the fall and slowly warming up again by February. Winter highs are around 70 °F, and it is rare for temperatures to drop to freezing, though it can happen occasionally away from the water. Cold snaps can be a concern for plants and farming in the area.

Frozen precipitation, like snow, is very rare. The only known measurable snowfall in Tampa after 1900 was in January 1977, when a small amount of snow closed schools and businesses until it melted.

During El Niño, the dry season tends to be cooler and wetter, while during La Niña, it is drier and warmer.

Due to frequent summer thunderstorms, the Tampa Bay area has a clear wet season from June to September, with about 30 inches of rain. The rest of the year brings about 19 inches of rain, usually from passing weather fronts. The area also gets plenty of sunshine, with about 2,920 hours of sunlight each year.

Tropical systems

From June to November, the Tampa Bay area is in hurricane season. This is when storms can form in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. These storms can bring a lot of rain, which is important for keeping the area's water supplies full.

Tampa Bay is near the ocean, so it often feels the effects of passing storms. However, because of where the area is located, big hurricanes usually don’t hit Tampa Bay directly. The area was badly damaged by a big storm in 1921, but since then, Tampa Bay has not had a direct hit from a hurricane.

In 2004, several storms affected the area, including Frances, Jeanne, Charley, and Ivan. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed near Tampa Bay, causing damage, especially to power lines.

In 2024, three hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—caused serious damage. Debby brought heavy rain, leading to flooding. Helene created very high waves that flooded coastal areas. Milton, although it hit south of Tampa Bay, still brought strong winds that caused damage across the region. The storms together caused billions of dollars in damage.

Tampa data

The Tampa Bay area has a warm climate with two main seasons. From May to October, it is hot and rainy. From November to April, it is mild and dry. Most of the rain falls between June and September.

See or edit raw graph data.