Tampa’s Heat Index Hits 118 Degrees Amid Record-Breaking Conditions. On Wednesday afternoon, Tampa’s heat index surged to a staggering 118 degrees Fahrenheit at Tampa International Airport, a level tied for the third highest since 1940. This intense heat was driven by the lingering tropical airmass from Hurricane Debby, coupled with persistent westerly winds funneling humid marine air into the region. During this time, the dewpoint reached 84 degrees, marking the second-highest level recorded since 1940.
With westerly winds continuing to dominate, dewpoints are expected to hover near or above 80 degrees through Saturday. This will result in morning temperatures feeling like the mid-90s, with daytime heat indices reaching 110 degrees or higher. While such extreme dew points and heat indices are still rare, they are becoming increasingly common in our climate-changed world. Notably, the number of 90-degree days in Tampa has doubled since the 1970s, driven by factors such as urban heat islands, increased development, and global warming.