Sunny and Warm Conditions Expected in the Panhandle.... Scattered to Numerous Afternoon and Evening Thunderstorms Across the Peninsula and Eastern Big bend.....Strong Storms Possible with Lightning, Gusty Winds, Hail, and Heavy Rainfall...

A weak upper-level disturbance is poised to pass north of Florida today and this will generate partly to mostly cloudy skies today with a 20%-30% chance of showers and storms across North Florida. A few isolated storms may be strong and slow-moving today capable of producing occasional lightning strikes and gusty winds up to 40 mph.

Meanwhile, for the Peninsula, an area of high pressure will continue to build across the Gulf of Mexico. A few showers and storms are pushing across Southeast Florida from the Atlantic Ocean this morning, and this will continue into the afternoon. For the remainder of the Peninsula, another summer-like day is expected with scattered to numerous showers and storms, particularly away from the coast. A few isolated storms may become strong or even severe capable of producing frequent lightning, gusty winds, and small hail. Widespread rainfall of up to an inch is possible with locally heavier accumulations in the strongest and slowest of storms. This will allow for water to collect over roadways in areas with poor drainage.

For tonight, high pressure is expected to continue to be the dominant weather feature across Florida and conditions will remain beautiful with mostly clear skies. Most of the shower activity will come to an end during the evening hours, but a few isolated showers will remain in North Florida. Depending on the rain and overall moisture, patchy fog will be possible across portions of North and Central Florida.

Afternoon highs will be warm statewide with temperatures reaching the mid 80s near the coast and upper 80s inland. These warm temperatures along with dry air across Northwest Florida will combine to increase the risk for wildfires to moderate levels for Northwest Florida.

At the coast, onshore winds will generate a moderate risk of rip currents for beaches along the Florida Panhandle from Escambia County through Okaloosa County as well as Atlantic Coast beaches from Volusia County through Martin County. All other beaches will experience a low risk of rip currents.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.