Beautful, Warm Conditions Expected on this 1st Day of Spring...Sunny Skies Today but Scattered Showers Expected Across Panhandle Tonight...High Risk of Rip Currents Along East-Central Florida Beaches...Red Flag Warnings Posted for Most of State

High pressure currently situated just off the Atlantic coast of Florida will cause a beautiful spring day for most of the state, with daytime maximum temperatures reaching the low to upper 70s statewide. Skies will remain mostly clear and rainless during the daylight hours, but clouds will be on the increase this afternoon as a cold front in the Central Gulf of Mexico trudges east toward the state. Overnight lows will be warmer than usual with temperatures dropping to the low to mid 50s across North Florida, upper 50s across Central and inland South Florida, and low to mid 60s along coastal South Florida.

Tonight, isolated to scattered showers ahead of the front will begin to push into the panhandle. There is a possibility of imbedded isolated thunderstorms within the mass of showers moving in, but instability is low and severe weather is not likely. Rainfall amounts will mostly stay below 0.5 inches across the eastern panhandle, but Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may receive up to 1 inch of rain by tomorrow morning and localized flooding of low-lying creeks and roadways may occur.

Dry conditions will continue today and a red flag warning is in effect for the eastern panhandle, Florida Big Bend, inland Northeast, West-Central, inland East-Central and inland Southwest Florida this from 1pm to 7pm EST. Temperatures are expected to be warmer today which will cause already dry afternoon humidity values to dip below 35% for 4 or more hours in these areas.

Minor river flooding is occurring at the Apalachicola River near Blountstown, Aucilla River near Lamont and the Escambia River near Century. All rivers have crested and the Apalachicola and Escambia River will likely drop below flood stage early next week.

At the coast, increasing onshore wind flow combined with the outgoing low tide will produce a high risk of rip currents along East-Central Florida beaches today from Volusia county south to Martin county. This threat was confirmed visually by area lifeguards and it is recommended that beachgoers do not enter the surf in these areas today. There is also a moderate risk of rip currents across Northeast Florida beaches from Nassau County south to Flagler County.

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