Current Weather Outlook

Weather Summary for the Next 24 Hours:   

North Florida: A swath of light rain will continue to move onshore the Panhandle this morning, expanding eastward along the I-10 corridor throughout the day. Winter Weather Advisories will remain in effect for Escambia, inland Santa Rosa, and inland Okaloosa Counties until 12:00 PM CST as wintry precipitation may continue. Isolated pockets of light freezing rain over Northwest Florida may yield hazardous driving conditions on elevated surfaces and bridges/overpasses. The threat for freezing rain will diminish through the morning hours as temperatures warm above freezing. A cold and damp Friday is in store with high temperatures varying from the Panhandle to Northeast Coast (upper 30s to lower 60s).

As the cold air mass filters in behind the front, freezing temperatures may develop again over the western Panhandle, with near freezing temperatures (34-37 degrees) across the remaining portions of North Florida. A marginal environment conducive for light freezing rain may develop along the immediate Florida/Georgia line overnight; little to no ice accretion is anticipated.

Peninsula: Warmer conditions are expected for the Peninsula today, with an isolated strong to severe thunderstorm possible. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is outlooking a marginal risk for severe weather (level 1 of 5) across the southern Peninsula. The best chance for thunderstorm development will be near Lake Okeechobee and east toward the I-95 corridor. The strongest thunderstorms may be capable of producing locally damaging wind gusts (45 to 60 mph) and hail. The severe weather threat rapidly diminishes after sunset.

Overnight, temperatures will remain mild in the 50s to 60s. Patchy to locally dense fog may develop across far southern portions of the Peninsula.

Flash Flooding: There is no threat of flash flooding.

Hydrology: All rivers, creeks, and streams across the state are below flood stage and forecast to remain below flood stage. For more details on specific river levels, please visit the River Forecast Center.

Lake Okeechobee’s average elevation is 15.12 feet, which is within the operational band but 0.41 feet above normal for this time of year.

Coastal Flooding: There is no threat of coastal flooding today. 

Fire Weather: Increasing humidity levels and forecast rainfall will limit the wildfire threat today.

According to the Florida Forest Service dashboard, there are 18 wildfires in the state, totaling approximately 48.4 acres.

Drought: Although recent rainfall has improved rain deficits across North Florida, abnormally dry conditions continue for the western Panhandle and parts of the Suwannee Valley on the latest Drought Monitor, with southern portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties remaining in a moderate drought. Rainfall deficits are growing in Southwest Florida and drought may develop there within the next month.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida is 230 (+4) on a scale from 0 (very wet) to 800 (very dry). There are 0 Florida counties with an average KBDI at or above 500 (drought/increased fire danger), but some localized areas in South Florida are near 500.

Rip Currents:Breezy northerly winds will yield a moderate risk of rip currents along most Panhandle, West-Central Florida, and Northeast Florida beaches today. A low risk can be expected elsewhere. Breaking waves of 1-3’ are forecast in the surf zone. For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.

Marine Hazards: Red Tide has been observed in only 1 sample in Manatee County over the last week at very low levels.