Current Weather Outlook
Statewide weather outlook from Florida Division of Emergency Management MeteorologyWednesday, April 8, 2020
...Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms in North Florida...Marginal Risk of Severe Weather North of I-10...Wind Gusts of 45-60 mph and Small Hail Possible in Stronger Storms...Patchy Fog Possible Statewide Tonight...Moderate to Locally High Wildfire Threat Statewide, 17 Counties With Burn Bans...Moderate to High Rip Current Risk at Atlantic Beaches...
Updated at 9:25 A.M. EDT
A weak disturbance will move across the Southeast US. This disturbance, along with afternoon heating, may allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop across North Florida this afternoon into the evening. A batch of weakening showers and thunderstorms may move into Northeast Florida late tonight. A couple storms could become strong to briefly severe today, and areas north of I-10 are under a Marginal Risk of severe weather (level 1 of 5). The main threats would be wind gusts of 45-60 mph and small hail.
Meanwhile, the Peninsula will stay mainly sunny today. An isolated shower cannot be ruled out in Central Florida, however.
Winds may become slightly breezy across the state this afternoon. East winds of 10-15 mph with gusts of 20-25 mph are possible.
Patchy fog may develop across much of the state overnight. However, widespread dense fog is not expected.
High temperatures this afternoon will be in the middle 80s to lower 90s statewide. Lows will primarily be in the 70s.
Breezy winds out of the east to southeast at 10-15 mph are expected across most of the state today. Gusts of 20-25 mph are possible. Relative humidity will be higher today statewide—40-60% in the Peninsula with 50-70% elsewhere. Drought continues across much of the state despite recent rainfall. Thus, a moderate to locally high wildfire threat is forecast statewide. Lightning from isolated thunderstorms in North Florida could start new wildfires.
There are currently 40 active wildfires across the state burning a total of 1,148.5 acres. A County Burn Ban is in effect for Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Citrus, Duval, Gulf, Hendry, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk, Orange, Osceola, Sarasota, and Volusia Counties.
Decreasing swells and breezy easterly winds will result in a moderate to high rip current risk for all Atlantic beaches. Strengthening easterly winds will result in a moderate risk for Panhandle beaches from Walton to Franklin County. A low risk is expected at all other Gulf Coast beaches. Wave heights of 2-3’ are expected along the East Coast and Panhandle beaches and 1’ or less along the West Coast. For the latest Rip Current Outlook, visit www.weather.gov/beach.
Red Tide has not been observed above background levels. No respiratory irritation is expected at any Florida beaches.
All rivers are below flood stage. Several rivers across the state are in low water stage due to ongoing drought. For more information on specific rivers, please visit the Southeast River Forecast Center here.
Lake Okeechobee average elevation is 11.70 feet, which is 2.46 feet below normal for this time of year. This is only 0.15 feet above the water shortage management level. A slow decline in the lake level will continue into next week.
A Coastal Flood Statement is in effect for Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler County through late tonight. Minor flooding along the Atlantic Coast is possible during the next few high tides.
