Do you remember where you hung your jacket last? We haven't needed it in quite a while, but you will need one Monday morning!

A strong cold front is on the move and it is expected to arrive in Tampa Bay late Sunday. It will result in a drastic change to our temperature by the time you wake up Monday morning. 

Florida has been baking in the December warmth while much of the U.S. continues to deal with winter weather. Parts of the High Plains have had subzero temperatures and wind chill values as low as 40 below zero! This air mass has been diving south over the last few days and a very modified version of that air mass will arrive here on Sunday night into Monday. 

Summer feels on Sunday

Sunday afternoon will be very warm. Highs will be in the 80s for much of Tampa Bay. The exception is along the immediate Gulf Coast where temps will be in the upper 70s thanks to the cooler ocean water. Either way, you'll want to wear the tank top and shorts Sunday afternoon. Not only will Sunday be very warm, but it will also be muggy for this time of year with dew points well into the 60s. 

However, make sure you have the sweatshirt and jacket on standby because temps will fall fast once that cold front arrives. 

Also, a steady south wind will persist much of the day before turning northwest later in the evening. This may result in some hazardous boating with choppy seas. 

Timing of the cold front

The front arrives Sunday evening from the northwest. It will swing through the Nature Coast before it swings through Tampa Bay. By Monday morning, the cold front will be well south of our area.

What to expect

First and foremost will be the sharp drop in temperatures. Much of the Tampa Bay area will experience a 30 to 40-degree swing in temperatures from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning. This is especially true for those living in Citrus and Hernando County where it will be coolest by Monday morning. 

Once the cold front swings through, winds will immediately shift to the northwest. Winds will gust up to and over 30 mph and scattered showers and thunderstorms will accompany the front too. As soon as the wind shifts northwest, the temperatures will plummet.

Those who reach the low to mid-80s Sunday afternoon could wake up Monday morning to temperatures in the 40s! Parts of the Nature Coast could even see lows in the upper 30s.

Rain chances

While showers and thunderstorms will accompany the front, the rain chances will not have much of an impact on your plans. The reason is the timing. Most of the showers associated with the front will happen late Sunday and wrap up before sunrise Monday. The coverage of rain doesn't appear to be very impressive Sunday night. 

By Monday afternoon, enough dry air returns back to the region to result in a cool, sunny day with highs in the 50s and 60s. Anyone living south of I-4 will be warmest while communities well north of Tampa will be coolest.