869
FXUS62 KTBW 191834
AFDTBW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
234 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Gusty northeast winds to Exercise Caution over the eastern Gulf
  waters through Friday.

- Critically low relative humidity values over the Nature Coast and
  interior through the weekend.

- Warming trend continues through the week and into the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
An upper-level trough extends from the eastern seaboard to FLorida
this afternoon while surface high pressure continues over the
southeast. This has kept a dry northeast low-level flow across the
local area, with temperatures topping out closer to normal this
afternoon. The trough will shift eastward over the next few days
while surface high pressure settles over the region for the weekend
and into early next week. This will allow the gradual warming trend
to continue, with highs rising back above normal as we head into
next week. A frontal boundary will move southward over the region on
Tuesday, bringing a slight chance for showers through the middle
part of the week. Otherwise, rain-free conditions will prevail.

&&

.AVIATION...
VFR conditions are expected through the forecast period.

&&

.MARINE...
High pressure continues north of the region through the end of the
week, keeping northeast winds near exercise caution levels through
Friday. For the weekend into next week, high pressure will set up
overhead, allowing winds to diminish with no further headlines
expected.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
A relatively dry air mass will remain over the region for the next
several days, with relative humidity values dropping to critical
levels for tomorrow afternoon and then over parts of the interior
for the weekend. No Red Flag conditions are expected, however, as
other criteria are not expected to be met. No significant fog is
expected.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TPA  75  53  78  55 /   0   0   0   0
FMY  79  55  81  55 /   0   0   0   0
GIF  74  52  78  52 /   0   0   0   0
SRQ  77  54  79  54 /   0   0   0   0
BKV  75  44  78  45 /   0   0   0   0
SPG  76  60  79  62 /   0   0   0   0

&&

.TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
Gulf waters...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION/AVIATION/MARINE/FIRE WEATHER...Carlisle
DECISION SUPPORT...Pearce
UPPER AIR/CLIMATE...Pearce