Current Weather Outlook

Rip Currents: Breezy winds and elevated surf will bring a moderate to high risk for rip currents to all East Coast and Panhandle beaches today. The highest risk will be along the Northwest Florida, Forgotten Coast, and Southeast Florida. A low risk is outlooked along the West Coast. For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.

Marine Hazards: Surf will continue to diminish along the East Coast today, with waves near 2-4’. A few waves across the Florida Keys may reach upwards of 5’. Panhandle and West Coast beaches will see surf near 1-3’.

Red Tide was observed at background concentrations offshore Lee, Okaloosa, Escambia, and Gulf counties (valid 4/17/26).

Coastal Flooding: There is no risk for coastal flooding today.

Fire Weather: Another mostly dry day is expected across the Sunshine State as high pressure continues to filter in very low relative humidities through the spine of the Peninsula. Winds will begin to relax today as high pressure departs to the east over the western Atlantic, with just a few gusts upwards of 20-25 mph along the I-95 corridor. Relative humidities will still dip to near or below critical thresholds across the state, with the lowest values over interior Northeast Florida. Elevated to locally critical wildfire conditions will persist today statewide. Areas of dense smoke cannot be ruled out downwind of any active wildfire today. A few isolated showers or thunderstorms are also possible along the sea breeze boundaries across the northern Panhandle and South-Central Florida today. Lightning strikes can spark new wildfires or reignite existing ones. Tonight, areas of patchy fog may develop across portions of the western Panhandle, which can significantly reduce visibilities in the vicinity of active wildfires. According to the Florida Forest Service, there are 138 active wildfires across the state burning approximately 25,248 acres.

Drought (4/23/26): Beneficial rainfall was nowhere to be found in the past week across the Sunshine State with drought conditions largely remaining the same across the state. The heaviest observed rainfall over the past week was across coastal Southeast Florida where totals added up to 1-2” for most locations. This was still not enough to really put any additional dent in the drought situation across South Florida, with the coastal areas remaining under abnormally dry to moderate drought (level 1 of 4) conditions. A severe to extreme drought (level 2-3 of 4) is still observed throughout the remainder of South Florida. Across Central Florida, very little changes were made where no measurable rainfall was observed over the past week. Some slight expansion eastward of the extreme drought (level 3 of 4) was added across Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties. North Florida likewise so nearly no measurable rainfall. The exceptional drought (level 4 of 4) was expanded slightly westward into Jackson County as well as a bit more eastward into Alachua, Levy, Bradford, Baker, and Nassau counties. Much of the western Panhandle is also now under an extreme drought (level 3 of 4). Rainfall deficits since the beginning of the water year (October 2025) are running 10-15 inches below normal or more across the entirety of North Florida. This has resulted in extremely low streamflows within all river basins, streams, lakes, and ponds. Looking ahead, isolated sea breeze showers and thunderstorms will return to the Peninsula this weekend and heading into early next week. However, the spotty nature of this activity will make it unable to provide much drought relief. A cold front with scattered showers and storms is also expected across the Panhandle and Big Bend this weekend. Rainfall totals with this activity do not appear to be widespread enough for any real drought improvement, though any rainfall will certainly be helpful.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida is 502 (+6) on a scale from 0 (very wet) to 800 (very dry). There are 39 Florida counties that have an average KBDI above 500 (drought/increased fire danger).   

Flash Flooding: There is no organized risk for flash flooding today across Florida. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will develop along the sea breezes across South-Central Florida this afternoon. Most of this activity will be light and brief in nature, though a locally heavy downpour capable of producing a quick 1-3” of rain cannot be ruled out.

Riverine Flooding: There are no riverine concerns across Florida. For more information, visit the River Forecast Center.

Lake Okeechobee’s average elevation is 11.87 feet, which is within the operational band and is 1.94 feet below normal for this time of year.