Tampa Faces Blustery Winds, Storms, and Dangerous Rip Currents

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Tampa is starting Sunday, February 15, 2026, with mild, mostly sunny skies, but the weather is expected to take a turn later in the day. South-southeast winds will pick up through the afternoon, with gusts around 25 to 30 mph ahead of a line of showers and thunderstorms. A Small Craft Advisory and elevated surf are in effect, and beachgoers should be ready for rough surf and strong offshore currents. A line of showers and thunderstorms will move into the Tampa area late Sunday afternoon and evening, with periods of heavy rain possible and the potential for stronger storms and an isolated tornado in the northern portion of the forecast area.

Why it matters

The blustery conditions and severe weather could disrupt outdoor plans, create hazardous driving conditions, and pose a risk to beachgoers and boaters in the Tampa area. The National Weather Service has issued a Rip Current Statement, warning of dangerous rip currents from Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night for several coastal counties.

The details

South-southeast winds will ramp up to around 6 to 20 mph this afternoon, with stronger gusts near 25 to 28 mph, especially along the coast. A line of showers and thunderstorms will move into the Tampa area late Sunday afternoon and evening, becoming most widespread between about 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., with periods of heavy rain possible. Southwest winds tonight could gust to around 25 mph, and new rainfall totals of about one half to three quarters of an inch are possible in heavier cells. The northern portion of the forecast area, roughly north of Bradenton, has the higher chance for a few stronger storms and an isolated tornado, while damaging wind gusts will be the main concern elsewhere.

• Tampa is starting Sunday, February 15, 2026, with mild, mostly sunny skies.
• South-southeast winds will pick up through the afternoon, with gusts around 25 to 30 mph.
• A line of showers and thunderstorms will move into the Tampa area late Sunday afternoon and evening, becoming most widespread between about 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• Southwest winds tonight could gust to around 25 mph.

What’s next

Beachgoers should stay close to lifeguards and avoid venturing into the rough surf. Boaters should follow the Small Craft Advisory and plan for choppy seas and gusty winds through the overnight hours.