Possible Record Heat Will Send Temperatures Into The 90s In FL: Forecast

FLORIDA — The Sunshine State is expected to get much hotter through next week with potentially record-high temperatures forecast for parts of Florida and several southern states.

The National Weather Service predicted Friday a heat wave will pass from the Gulf Coast to parts of the East Coast, bringing sizzling temperatures to Florida. The wave could cover much of Texas and stretch to a portion of South Carolina, warming up all areas in its path.

Weather officials said some areas could reach high temperatures of low- to mid-90s starting Friday and running through next Thursday at least.

The moderate excessive heat in Florida is a prelude to the remainder of May, when temperatures central to southern portions of the state have a 50-60 percent chance of being above normal. As of Friday, the NWS predicted a 93-degree high temperature both Wednesday and Thursday in Tampa.

Jacksonville could get as high as 96 degrees Thursday.

The sizzling heat across the country could fuel strong storms, including derechos, or “inland hurricanes,” with sustained winds of 58 or more mph, with gusts of up to 100 mph, over an area more than 400 miles wide, private weather company AccuWeather said.

The NWS said central and south Florida have a 40-50 percent chance of being below normal for precipitation in May. North Florida has a 33-40 percent probability.

Here's the latest Tampa Bay forecast from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93. East southeast wind around 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. North wind around 7 mph becoming east after midnight.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind around 7 mph.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. North northwest wind around 7 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. East southeast wind around 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. North wind 7 to 10 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. South southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 71.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 72.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93.