Current Weather Outlook
Statewide weather outlook from Florida Division of Emergency Management Meteorology
Monday, May 20, 2019
...Hot And Dry Weather Persists Across The State Today...Scattered Thunderstorms Develop Across South Florida, Isolated Storms In North And Central Florida...Moderate To High Rip Current Risk At All Panhandle And East Coast Beaches...Medium Chance Of Tropical Or Subtropical Development South Of Bermuda, No Threat To Florida...
Updated 9:46 A.M. EDT
Patchy dense fog is quickly dissipating across Northwest Florida this morning. Another hot day is expected across the state. Scattered thunderstorms will develop over South Florida this afternoon with isolated thunderstorms across the rest of the state. Occasional lightning and brief, heavy downpours may accompany the strongest thunderstorms today. There is no threat of severe weather. Outside of any thunderstorms, skies will be mostly sunny.
Temperatures this afternoon will climb into the lower 90s for most of the state with the middle and upper 80s at the beaches. The Heat Index may reach the middle 90s in a few locations, but lower humidity will keep them below advisory levels.
Leftover showers and thunderstorms this evening will gradually fade after sunset. It will be warm and muggy overnight with temperatures in the upper 60s to middle 70s. Patchy dense fog may develop once again overnight in North Florida near sunrise.
While recent rainfall has kept soil moisture elevated in many areas, hot and dry weather persists today. Relative humidity will near critical levels across inland areas but winds will remain light (around 10 mph) and vary with the sea breeze. Thus, a moderate wildfire threat is forecast statewide. Lightning may spark new wildfires and downed trees from Hurricane Michael continue to pose a hazardous fuel source. With the hot and dry weather forecast across North Florida this week, wildfire activity will increase. There are currently 26 active wildfires across the state, with only 4 larger than 10 acres. A County Burn Ban remains in effect for the 5 counties that are in effect year-round.
Breezy onshore winds during the afternoon will result in a moderate to high rip current risk for all Panhandle and East Coast beaches today. Wave heights will be 1-2’. All other Florida beaches will have a low risk. Remember, always swim within sight of a lifeguard. Never swim alone. Rip currents can still occur on low risk days! For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.
An area of low pressure is developing about halfway between Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos. This system, labeled Invest 90L, has a brief window to acquire tropical or sub-tropical characteristics as it moves slowly northward towards Bermuda over the next 48 hours. Thereafter, it will begin to accelerate and become non-tropical as it merges with a cold front. The National Hurricane Center gives this system a 60% (medium) chance of formation during the next 48 hours. This system will not impact Florida. For more information regarding the tropics, please visit www.hurricanes.gov.
All rivers are below flood stage with several gauges across North Florida below the low water threshold. Rainfall amounts today will be very localized and there is no flood threat. For more information on specific rivers, please visit the Southeast River Forecast Center here.
