Today's bright and sunny morning will give way to isolated thunderstorms around the Tampa Bay area just before noon, and the chance for showers increases after that.
High temperatures are expected to reach into the low 90s near the coast and mid-90s inland, according to the National Weather Service in Ruskin.
Balmy southwest winds will be 5 to 10 mph. There is a 30 percent chance for rain.
"A heat advisory has been issued for Pinellas County from noon until 7 p.m. today," said Leigh Spann, News Channel 8 meteorologist. "Temperatures will climb ... because the humidity levels will remain high. Heat index values will be 105 to 110."
A heat advisory is issued when the heat index exceeds 105 for more than three hours and overnight lows remain above 80 degrees for two days or more, she said.
Highs in the inland communities will approach record levels. The record high in Lakeland and Winter Haven is 99, and forecast highs will be near 96 degrees.
Tonight will be partly cloudy with scattered thundershowers lasting into the evening.
A 30 percent of chance of rain continues tonight.
The forecast for the weekend is about the same: partly cloudy each day starting with chances for isolated thunderstorms and scattered storms during the afternoon and early evening.
Highs will be in the mid- to lower 90s Saturday and Sunday, forecasters said.
Each afternoon, the chance for scattered thundershowers will be about 30 percent.
"A continued wind flow off the Gulf of Mexico will keep our humidity levels higher than normal - even for July - today and this weekend," Spann said. "That onshore wind pattern may push a shower or two from the Gulf onto the coast in the morning hours, but we have better rain chances inland during the afternoon."
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