Current Weather Outlook
Statewide weather outlook from Florida Division of Emergency Management Meteorology
Sunday, January 4, 2026
...Cold Front Slows Over Lake Okeechobee...Showers and Rain Chances Become Increasingly Isolated Over the Southern Florida Peninsula...Mostly Cloudy Skies and Cooler Temperatures Expected for North Florida...Areas of Fog and Low Clouds Develop Nearly Statewide Tonight...Pockets of Locally Dense Fog Possible...Please Drive Slow in Monday Morning Commute with Foggy Conditions, Especially as School Resumes...Low Temperatures in the 40s Across North Florida, Mild Elsewhere...Moderate to High Risk for Gulf Coast Beaches, Moderate Risk Continues Along the Atlantic Coast...
Updated at 9:22 AM EST
Today's Threats:
|
No Threat |
Low Threat |
Medium Threat |
High Threat |
|
Lightning |
Tornado |
Damaging Wind/Hail |
Wildfire |
Fog (Overnight) |
Freeze (Overnight) |
Wind Chill (Overnight) |
Rip Currents |
| Isolated Statewide |
Locally North & Central Florida Statewide |
|
|
Florida Panhandle & West Coast Northeast & East-Central Florida Southeast Florida |
Weather Summary for the Next 24 Hours:
Showers across the southern Florida Peninsula become increasingly isolated through the day (15-25% chance of rain) as the primary frontal system slows near Lake Okeechobee. Warm afternoon temperatures in the middle to upper 70s can be expected south of the front, with a mixture of sunshine and clouds. Along and to the north of the frontal boundary, near-zero rain chances can be expected under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will remain in the lower to middle 60s across North Florida, with a few coastal locations struggling to climb out of the upper 50s.
Tonight, the main weather headline will be areas of fog and low clouds developing across much of the Sunshine State. Pockets of locally dense fog cannot be ruled out tonight into Monday morning; if driving in foggy conditions during the Monday morning commute, especially with school resuming, please slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Low temperatures tonight will fall into the middle to upper 40s across North Florida, the lower to middle 50s from Northeast Florida through interior South Florida, and the lower to middle 60s along the immediate coastline of Southeast Florida into the Florida Keys.
Rip Currents: A moderate to high risk of rip currents continues for many Florida Panhandle and West Florida beaches today. There is a moderate risk of rip currents along all Northeast and East-Central Florida beaches, with low risk conditions persisting south of the Treasure Coast. For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.
Marine Hazards: Wave heights of 2-3’ can be expected along all Florida beaches today.
Red Tide was observed at background to medium concentrations in Bay County. Red Tide was not observed along the Florida East Coast or Gulf Coast (valid 12/31/2025).
Coastal Flooding: There is no risk for coastal flooding across Florida.
Fire Weather: Relative humidity values remain above critical threshold statewide today as a frontal system gradually stalls over the central Florida Peninsula. Lingering shower and thunderstorm activity can be expected across the southern Florida Peninsula today, with yesterday’s wetting rains benefitting the drought-ridden region of North Florida. Light winds statewide will help limit any wildfire concern. Areas of fog and low clouds may develop once again tonight across North Florida; further reductions in visibilities will be possible near any ongoing wildfires or burns. According to the Florida Forest Service, there are 42 active wildfires across the state burning approximately 575 acres.
Drought (12/31/2025): Rainfall was once again held to a minimum and above normal temperatures were recorded across the Sunshine State despite a frontal system moving across the region. Short-term rainfall departures continue to run 0.5-2” below normal for this time of year nearly statewide, with localized pockets of 2-3” below normal along central portions of the Florida Panhandle. The lack of beneficial rainfall has contributed to further degrading the rainfall deficits in the 60-day period as well, with rainfall totals 2-4” inches below normal across Florida (away from the immediate I-4 corridor). Streamflows continue to run at very low levels across Florida Panhandle and interior North Florida rivers and waterways, now expanding into the Suwannee and Santa Fe River basins. Severe drought (level 2 of 4) has expanded along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast and into the Suwannee and Santa Fe River basins on the updated Drought Monitor, with moderate drought (level 1 of 4) now reaching the southern Space Coast. Extreme drought (level 3 of 4) persists across interior portions of the eastern Florida Panhandle. Our next chance for rainfall returns this weekend; however, rainfall totals do not appear substantial enough to allow for category improvements.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida is 475 (+3) on a scale from 0 (very wet) to 800 (very dry). There are 30 Florida counties that have an average KBDI above 500 (drought/increased fire danger).
Flash Flooding: There is norisk for flash flooding today.
Riverine Flooding: There are no riverine concerns across Florida. For more information, visit the River Forecast Center.
Lake Okeechobee’s average elevation is 13.31 feet, which is within the operational band and is 1.30 feet below normal for this time of year.
