Scattered Strong to Severe Thunderstorms on Friday Afternoon and Evening in the Big Bend, Northeast Florida and much of the Peninsula...Numerous Thunderstorms Expected Later this Afternoon and Evening Across South Florida...Flood Warning Posted for Central Glades County...Minor River Flooding Receding in West Central Florida...Hot Temperatures in North Florida for the July 4th Weekend...Tropics Remain Quiet...

A weak frontal boundary and disturbance aloft will push southeastward through the Florida Big Bend into central Florida later today. Thunderstorms developing along this boundary in the Big Bend and north central Florida will collide with sea breezes in northeast and central Florida this afternoon. Coverage of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in these regions will generally be scattered in nature. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in these regions with frequent lightning strikes, damaging wind gusts, hail, and briefly heavy downpours being the main threats.

Another remnant boundary that has been responsible for flooding rains in west central Florida during the past several days has moved into south Florida. Higher moisture values and an unstable air mass will develop numerous thunderstorms across all of south and southwest Florida during the afternoon and evening hours. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible in these areas, with frequent lightning strikes, damaging wind gusts, hail, and persistent heavy downpours being the main threats.

Remember that once you hear the sound of thunder, you are at risk to be struck by lightning. Many lightning injuries and fatalities occur far away from a thunderstorm's heaviest rains. Be sure to practice the "30/30 Rule" of lightning safety as you plan for outdoor activities during the Independence Day Weekend.

Flooding rains during the past several days have led to floodwaters inundating a portion of State Road 29 in central Glades County. A Flood Warning is in effect for this area until 5:15 PM this afternoon. Additional heavy rains are likely later today that will exacerbate these existing flood conditions and will also lead to rises along the Fisheating Creek in Glades County this weekend. Although the Little Manatee and Manatee Rivers have crested in west central Florida, additional rises are possible if thunderstorms develop over these river basins this afternoon. River Flood Warnings continue along portions of the Little Manatee and Manatee Rivers today.

Less afternoon cloudiness behind the front in the Big Bend will allow high temperatures to climb into the mid 90s this afternoon. Heat indices will near 105 degrees in the panhandle and Big Bend today. Highs elsewhere will generally range from 90-95, with heat indices ranging from 100-105. Lows tonight will generally fall into the 70s, except lower 80s for the Keys. Drier air aloft in place over the Florida panhandle today will filter into the rest of north and central Florida for July 4th. This weather pattern will promote only isolated thunderstorm coverage on Saturday across the northern half of the state, which will allow temperatures to soar into the mid and upper 90s. Heat indices on Saturday may climb into the 105-110 degree range across most of the state.

A tropical wave moving through the Lesser Antilles is encountering strong westerly wind shear and is unlikely to develop given hostile conditions aloft. Elsewhere, the National Hurricane Center is predicting a low probability for further development of a persistent non-tropical low pressure center located over the east central Atlantic Ocean. This system is not a threat to the United States.