Sunny and Warm Conditions Expected Along the Florida Panhandle...Scattered Showers and Storms Forecast for Much of the Florida Peninsula This Afternoon and Evening...Some Strong Storms Possible With Lightning, Hail, Gusty Winds and Heavy Rainfall...Elevated Wildfire Risk Across Northwest Florida Today...Moderate Rip Current Risk for West Panhandle Beaches...

Summerlike conditions are expected statewide today, with warm temperatures and seabreeze induced storm activity across the Peninsula. High pressure will keep Panhandle and Big Bend areas sunny and rain-free today, which will allow temperatures to soar into the mid 80s at the coast and upper 80s to low 90s inland. Tonight, mild temperatures in the 60s, clear skies and calm winds will result in patchy to locally dense fog to develop over much of the area after midnight and persist through Monday morning.

Along the Peninsula, temperatures will also be warm in the low to mid 80s along the East Coast and in the mid to upper 80s throughout the interior and western Peninsula. These warm temperatures combined with plenty of moisture in the air will allow for the formation of showers and thunderstorms today as the seabreeze moves inland from both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The highest chances for rain will be over inland areas from early afternoon through the early evening hours, with lower rain chances along the immediate coast. Coastal areas will see their best rain chances, around 20%, during the morning as the seabreeze develops and moves onshore. A few of the storms over interior sections of the Peninsula, near I-75, US-27 and the Turnpike, could be strong late in the afternoon. Although the overall severe weather threat is low, a few storms could produce frequent lightning, gusty winds to 60mph, small hail and brief heavy downpours. Before the rain arrives, expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Storm activity should begin to dissipate after sunset, with quiet conditions by midnight and mild overnight lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s under partly cloudy skies.

Even though rain is expected, there is a chance of lightning-induced wildfires today across the Florida Peninsula. Low humidity and warm temperatures will keep the wildfire threat elevated across much of Northwest Florida.

There is a moderate rip current risk today at Western Panhandle beaches. Elsewhere, a low risk of rip currents is forecast. It is imperative that all swimmers know how to escape a rip current and remember that the safest beaches are the ones protected by lifeguards. More information can be found here.