Sarasota, Bradenton tie high temperature record as Tampa sets a new one
The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport on Sunday tied the record for hottest temperature recorded on May 22.
The airport tied the record of 96 degrees set in 1927 and 1974, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.
A new record was also set at the Tampa International Airport with a high of 96 degrees.
Summer officially starts June 21, though it’s already the beginning of rainy season on Florida’s Suncoast, when hot days fuel afternoon thunderstorms.
Temperatures will remain above average through Wednesday in Bradenton with highs expected to reach 91 to 93 degrees, according to meteorologist Rodney Wynn.
There is a 20 to 30% chance of rain with late afternoon and evening thunderstorms possible through Wednesday.
Starting Thursday, a frontal boundary is forecast to move into the Tampa Bay area increasing rain chances to 40%. The increased rain is expected to keep high temperatures closer to average highs of 88 to 89 degrees.
On Friday and Saturday, the rain chances are forecast to increase to 50%, Wynn said.
