ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — April was a month of extremes when it came to our pattern. We started off very dry after not seeing any measurable rain at Tampa International Airport for the entire month of March. Tampa International is where the “official” observations are taken for Tampa Bay.

It’s no surprise that our coldest weather occurred toward the start of the month. The coldest morning around Tampa Bay occurred on April 2. Here’s a list of our coldest mornings:

  • Brooksville: 43 degrees on April 2
  • Lakeland: 54 degrees on April 2 and 3
  • Bradenton: 57 degrees on April 2
  • Tampa: 57 degrees on April 2
  • St. Petersburg: 63 degrees on April 5

The dry pattern continued through much of April, where the rainfall deficit started to increase quite a bit. Many cities, especially Lakeland, were starting to see rainfall deficits exceeding 7” for the year. The fire danger was increasing and much of Tampa Bay was placed under “Severe Drought’ due to the lack of rain.

While our ground dried out quickly and fire danger escalated, so did our temperatures. Our warmest days around the Bay Area took place during the middle part of the month, especially around April 12. Here’s a list of our warmest days:

  • Brooksville: 98 degrees on April 12
  • Lakeland: 95 degrees on April 12 and 13
  • Tampa: 91 degrees on April 12
  • St. Petersburg: 91 degrees on April 12
  • Bradenton: 90 degrees on April 12

Then our pattern changed for the better around the third week of April, when rain increased across the Bay Area. Unfortunately, this also led to a string of severe weather days as strong storms moved in from the Gulf of Mexico.

On April 20, a line of severe thunderstorms moved in from the Gulf of Mexico and caused severe weather across much of the area, including an EF-0 tornado in Homosassa Springs. The tornado tracked more than 7 miles over southwestern Citrus County. More tornadoes were also reported across the state that day.

The active pattern brought much needed rain to the area. The heaviest rain took place on April 24 where Bradenton received 4.05 inches in one day—setting a new rainfall record. Another round of rain on April 30 delivered 2.67 inches over Tampa, also setting a new daily rainfall record.

The rain was much needed and did wonders in closing the rainfall deficit for the year. In fact, by May 1, the rainfall deficit in Tampa was under a half inch. The string of rainy days eliminated the temporary severe drought across the Bay area.

We are still in the dry season, and while Tampa only averages 2.03 inches for the entire month of April, this year Tampa received nearly seven inches of rain. That is very impressive for the month of April.

April was also a very warm month across the Bay area. Temperatures placed 3-6 degrees above average.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what does May have in store for Tampa Bay? First let’s look at our climatology. May is one of our driest months of the year, averaging roughly two inches of rain for the entire month. May is still within Florida’s dry season. Our rainy season doesn’t begin until June.

May Climatology

Tampa Bay Area
Max Temp: 87.2
Min Temp: 66.5
Rain: 2.10”

Lakeland Area
Max Temp: 87.6
Min Temp: 66.5
Rain: 3.36”

Our pattern going into May looks to be much drier and slightly cooler. Later in the month will feature more favorable conditions for rain. Remember, hurricane season is a month away—beginning on June 1. It’s time to start thinking ahead and preparing for the upcoming season.