Today's barometric pressure in Tampa, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
Loading live forecast for Tampa...
Tampa is the lightning capital of North America, and those afternoon thunderstorms each bring pressure shifts. The bay's warm waters fuel storm development, and the city's persistent high humidity creates a baseline environment that's challenging for migraine sufferers.
Worst season for migraines: January and February. Tampa is known for summer lightning, with thunderstorms on most afternoons, but those storms barely move pressure, 3% of days or fewer in each summer month. No month reaches the 35% of days our index uses for a trigger season. Winter fronts bring the most drops, with a 5 hPa drop on 29% of days in January, and a hurricane can bring a severe single drop.
Common triggers in Tampa: daily convective thunderstorm pressure drops, tropical system pressure crashes, persistent Gulf humidity above 85%. Tampa Bay's warm waters fuel intense storm development, and the sea-breeze convergence zone that sets up over the bay nearly every summer afternoon creates predictable but persistent pressure changes. The bay also moderates winter cold fronts, meaning temperature changes are less extreme but humidity shifts can be sharp.
Typical pressure: Tampa averages 1016 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 988 hPa. Swings of 3-7 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: Tampa ranks #97 of 100 in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, where #1 is the most challenging city for weather-driven migraine.
Can Tampa weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Tampa experiences 3-7 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include daily convective thunderstorm pressure drops, tropical system pressure crashes, persistent Gulf humidity above 85%.
What time of year are migraines worst in Tampa?
In Tampa the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in January and February. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for Tampa?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in Tampa and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in Tampa. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether Tampa's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.