Multiple Storms, Nearly 100-Degree Heat In FL: Weekend Forecast

TAMPA, FL — Days after South Florida was battered with heavy downpours and flooding, the Sunshine State may not be so sunny with storms forecast for much of the state the rest of the week.

But while rain is anticipated, weather forecasters say weekend temperatures can hit peak heat indices of more than 100 degrees following the first official day of summer Thursday.

The National Weather Service predicted showers and thunderstorms during the next several days — stretching into early next week — for the Lakeland, Tampa, Miami, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Orlando areas.

The rainfall is due to a low-pressure system that is expected to head toward northeast Florida and southeast Georgia by Friday, the NWS said in its 8 a.m. Thursday update.

According to the NWS, the National Hurricane Center is predicting a 40 percent chance for the system to turn into a tropical development before landing onshore Friday.

Aside from Thursday for some areas, Florida will seemingly not receive a break from the heavy rains for the next week.

Weather Advisories

Furthermore, the Miami area is at risk for dangerous rip currents Thursday through Friday evening. The currents should affect coastal Palm Beach, coastal Broward and coastal Miami-Dade counties.

"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help," the weather service said in a statement.

Not only are several areas near the Atlantic beaches at risk for rip currents, they are also in danger of hazardous marine conditions, the weather service said in its outlook. This includes southern and southeast Florida.

Areas near the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico oceans could see a few strong thunderstorms Thursday afternoon, the forecast said. Lightning, gusty winds and heavy rain are possible with the storms.

Meanwhile, gusty winds and heavy downpours could potentially come with storms over the next several days, the weather service said.

Near the Orlando area, lightning storms with threats of gusty winds and heavy downpours are possible Thursday evening into nightfall.

A high surf advisory is in effect for the area due to breaking waves of up to 5-7 feet in the surf zone, weather officials said. Minor beach erosion is possible.

Northeast winds around 20 knots have triggered small craft advisories for the area through Thursday night.

"Poor to hazardous boating conditions will linger into Friday before improving. Surf conditions will also remain rough with a high risk for numerous, strong, life- threatening rip currents. Increasing coverage of showers and thunderstorms is forecast this weekend into next week, especially during the afternoon hours," weather officials said.

In Jacksonville, a high surf advisory remains in effect until 5 p.m. Friday while a high rip current risk is in effect through Friday afternoon for northeast Florida beaches.

Weather officials said breaking waves can follow similar behavior as in Orlando by reaching 5-7 feet. Dangerous rip currents exist near Jacksonville.

The Tampa, Tallahassee and Lakeland areas were not under any warnings or alerts as of Thursday morning.

High Heat

As for temperatures, heat index values could reach 100 degrees Friday through the weekend, the weather service's forecast said.

Florida heat could reach as high as 96 degrees the remainder of the week. Lows could be in the high 70s.

A heat wave is expected to impact much of the East Coast, sparking multiple heat advisories, AccuWeather predicted. As of Thursday morning, no heat advisory had been issued for Florida.

As the NWS predicted for Florida, AccuWeather said states in the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and New England could see temperatures in the 90s this week.

An interactive AccuWeather forecast puts Florida at risk for extreme heat through Sunday.

"Millions [in the East are] at the mercy of a prolonged stretch of 90-degree Fahrenheit temperatures [this week]," AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff said in a news release. "The longevity of the intense heat will put additional strain on residents and electrical infrastructure."

Cities in the mid-Atlantic, such as Washington D.C., could surpass 100 degrees by the weekend, AccuWeather said. Washington D.C. is expected to experience temperatures of at least 101 degrees.

Here's theNational Weather Service forecast for Tampa Bay:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 98. Breezy, with an east northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. East northeast wind 5-10 mph.

Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 101. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.