Tampa sits on Tampa Bay on the Gulf coast of central Florida, on a low, flat coastal plain at approximately 27.95°N, 82.46°W. It has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) verging on tropical — with hot, humid summers and warm, dry winters — with a pronounced summer wet season and exposure to Gulf hurricanes.

Summer, from May to October, is long, hot and humid, with July and August the hottest — average highs around 33°C and warm, sticky nights. Afternoon thunderstorms are near-daily, and this season coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, when Gulf storms can drive devastating storm surge into the shallow, funnel-shaped bay.

Winter, from December to February, is warm, dry and sunny, with January the coolest month — average highs around 22–23°C and cool nights near 12–13°C, with frost very rare on the coast. Rain is much reduced and humidity low, making this bright, mild stretch comfortably the best time of year and the peak tourist season.

Tampa receives around 1,150–1,200 mm of rain a year, overwhelmingly concentrated in the summer wet season from June to September, when afternoon thunderstorms are near-daily, while the winter and spring are markedly dry. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

Tampa Bay is among the most storm-surge-vulnerable places in America: its shallow, funnel-shaped bay would amplify a hurricane's surge dramatically, and the low-lying city has been fortunate to avoid a direct major strike for a century. Tampa also lies within Florida's lightning belt, with near-daily summer thunderstorms.

To follow any single measurement in Tampa more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.