Current Weather Outlook
Statewide weather outlook from Florida Division of Emergency Management Meteorology
Thursday, January 8, 2026
...Widespread Fog Across the State this Morning...Areas of Dense Fog Throughout North & Central Florida - Dense Fog Advisories Until 10-11:00 AM EST...Sea Fog May Linger Until Midday Near the Gulf-facing Coasts...Another Warm and Dry Day Statewide...Possible Brief Sprinkles Across Coastal Southeast Florida Later Today...Clear, Calm and Dry Conditions Overnight...Widespread Fog Development Possible By Early Friday Morning; Dense Fog Possible Locally...Calmer Marine Conditions and Wind to Lead to Moderate Risk for Rip Currents...
Updated at 9:23 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 Statewide |
|
|
Panhandle & East Coast West Coast |
Weather Summary for the Next 24 Hours:
A rinse and repeat of yesterday can be expected with the current weather pattern holding steady across the state. Fog and low clouds have developed across much of North and Central Florida this morning, some of which is locally dense. As such, Dense Fog Advisories are in effect until 10 AM EST but could be extended longer in places where fog is slower to dissipate. Areas of sea fog along Gulf-facing shorelines may linger through the morning hours as well.
Another mostly dry and warm day is on tap for the Sunshine State. Mostly sunny skies can be expected across Central and South Florida, though a bit more cloud cover is expected across North Florida. Onshore winds paired with locally available moisture may bring a few brief showers to coastal Southeast Florida today, though activity will not be widespread in nature (10-15% chance of rain).
High temperatures will climb into the middle 70s to middle 80s statewide, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year across North and Central Florida. If foggy conditions and cloud cover lingers longer, then high temperatures may be slightly cooler than forecast.
Another round of fog and low clouds will develop overnight across the state, some of which could be locally dense, especially across portions of the Panhandle, Big Bend, and North-Central Florida. Dense Fog Advisories will be issued as conditions warrant tonight.
Low temperatures will fall into the middle 50s to lower 60s across the state tonight, the exception being coastal Southeast Florida and the Keys where lows will only reach the upper 60s to lower 70s.
Rip Currents: Calmer marine conditions and winds will create a moderate risk for rip currents along numerous Panhandle and East Coast beaches. West Coast beaches will see a low risk. For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.
Marine Hazards: Wave heights will return to 1-2’ statewide, with isolated breakers of 3’ along portions of the Treasure Coast.
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: Warm and mostly dry conditions can be expected across the state once again, which will also help to keep relative humidity values well above critical thresholds statewide. Sensitive wildfire conditions will be possible with the ongoing drought conditions and warm temperatures, especially for areas that have seen little to no rainfall recently. Another round of widespread fog will be likely overnight and into Friday morning nearly statewide, with areas of dense fog possible. Foggy conditions and low clouds will further reduce visibilities where there are ongoing or new fires. According to the Florida Forest Service, there are 17 active wildfires across the state burning approximately 250 acres.
Drought (1/8/26): Some beneficial rainfall fell across North Florida this past weekend, bringing widespread 1-2” totals to the Panhandle and Big Bend. However, very little change was made to this weeks Drought Monitor outlook due to long-term drought and above normal temperatures keeping drought in place. Short-term rainfall departures are all below normal across the entire state, with the largest deficits (2-4”) over the western Panhandle. Here, moderate drought (level 1 of 4) remains, with severe (level 2 of 4) to extreme drought (level 3 of 4) persisting over the interior eastern Panhandle and Big Bend. Severe drought (level 2 of 4) also remains in place across the Suwannee River Valley where streamflows are well below normal. Some of the biggest changes in recent outlooks has been across West-Central and South Florida where long-term rainfall departures have reached 4-6” in many locations. The severe drought (level 2 of 4) has expanded further south along the Gulf coast to include all of Charlotte and Lee counties, and westward to interior Glades and Hendry counties. Expansion of moderate drought (level 1 of 4) was also added across coastal Southeast Florida. Nearly 87% of the state of Florida is now under a moderate drought (level 1 of 4) or worse. 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 459 (+5) on a scale from 0 (very wet) to 800 (very dry). There are 27 Florida counties that have an average KBDI above 500 (drought/increased fire danger).
Flash Flooding: There is no risk 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 13.27 feet, which is within the operational band and is 1.29 feet below normal for this time of year.
