Early autumn · Weather & things to do
Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September
Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk edges cooler than August, with highs of 85°F (29°C), lows of 75°F (24°C) and about 7.3 in (185 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 54/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 85°F (29°C)
- Avg low
- 75°F (24°C)
- Rain
- 7.3 in (185 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 09 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What September feels like
Highs settle around 85°F (29°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights stay warm too, with lows averaging 75°F (24°C).
Humidity averages 83%, so the air feels sticky and the heat feels stronger than the thermometer says.
Expect regular rain: about 7.3 in (185 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around September
September sits mid-table; the best months are November – April.
- Comfort improves from 41/100 in August to 54/100.
- Our Tampa New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — September falls outside it.
What to pack for September
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 85°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Quick-dry fabrics83% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Ulele
Restaurant and brewery in the 1903 water works building by Ulele Spring, cooking Florida seafood and native ingredients.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 7.3 in of rain.
Bern's Steak House
South Tampa steakhouse since 1956 with one of the world's largest wine lists and an upstairs dessert room.
Why now Easy to slot in when September's rain moves in.
Tampa Riverwalk
2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River through downtown, the free viewing area for the midnight fireworks over the water.
Jackson's Bistro
Waterfront restaurant on Harbour Island with a big deck facing downtown, host of a ticketed New Year's Eve party.
Nearby in September
- Downtown St. Petersburg in September~16 mi · highs 85°F, 7.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Walt Disney World in September~63 mi · highs 85°F, 6.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Winter Park in September~81 mi · highs 85°F, 6.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- St. Augustine in September~151 mi · highs 84°F, 6.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September: quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk?
It's middling, scoring 54/100. The best months are November – April, at up to 91. Expect highs of 85°F (29°C) and 7.3 in (185 mm) of rain.
How hot is Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September?
Average highs are 85°F (29°C) and average lows 75°F (24°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September?
Yes: about 7.3 in (185 mm) of rain falls across September on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 56.7 in (1441 mm).
What should I pack for Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 85°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), quick-dry fabrics (83% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk
Planning Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk in September?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.