Tropical Activity Could Bring Rising Temps, Storms To FL: Forecast

FLORIDA — With news of the potential for some tropical waves to affect Florida, forecasters predict downpours and extreme heat could impact the Sunshine State as early as next week. But, the National Hurricane Center doesn't expect any tropical storm formation in the next seven days, it said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, record high temperatures of 96 degrees were set at St. Petersburg and Ruskin, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures are forecast to stay hot through the upcoming weekend in Tampa Bay, with highs expected to reach 96 degrees Wednesday, 95 on Thursday and remain above 90 through Tuesday.

The latest AccuWeather report Wednesday highlights a disturbance in the north Caribbean that could possibly travel to the northeast and parts of the central Atlantic Ocean midweek.

Then, forecasters said a batch of tropical waves arriving west from Africa could increase thunderstorm activity in the Caribbean, and reach Florida.

"One feature we are watching will be a dip in the jet stream over the southeastern United States next week," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in the report. "This could provide just enough extra spin and moisture to get something going in the zone from the northwestern Caribbean and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico to waters east of Florida toward the middle of next week."

Showers and storms could be triggered next week as moisture stretches north, and even though the probability of a tropical development is minimal, forecasters said the impacts could be felt in parts of Florida.

Heavy rainfall could be a threat to the state, largely in the southern and central counties of the Florida Peninsula, forecasters said.

If moisture swells farther into the Gulf of Mexico's northern region, more rain could pour into north Florida, forecasters said.

"Downpours produced in the pattern may help to end the abnormally dry and drought conditions and lower the wildfire risk in the central and southern parts of the Florida Peninsula," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in the report.

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Pastelok predicted the weather pattern that could be the cause of heavy rain in portions of the Florida Peninsula is the same pattern that could potentially be to blame for rounds of storms in parts of the South Central region.

"This pattern would tend to cease the flow of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico," Pastelok said in the report.

This comes as the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday it is watching three tropical waves, including one in the far east Atlantic and another in the Atlantic near Suriname.

Weather officials are also monitoring a weak trough currently in Florida's coastal waters.

Hurricane season this year is expected to be above normal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A possible La Niña in the Pacific Ocean, shortened Atlantic trade winds, less wind shear and near-record warm temperatures in the Atlantic are all factors in rising hurricane activity.

NOAA, which is predicting a range of 17 of 25 named storms, said activity could be 85 percent above normal this hurricane season. Eight to 13 storms could become hurricanes, with four to seven of them having potential to become major hurricanes, NOAA said.

"Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today," said Erik A. Hooks, deputy administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency, in the NOAA report released in May.

"Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow."

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday urged residents to begin storm preparations now. He encouraged Floridians to make use of the sales tax holiday, which ends on June 14, to purchase supplies.

A second sales tax holiday is planned for Aug. 24-Sept. 6.

"As individual Floridians, you have a role to play in making sure that you're prepared," DeSantis said.

Information about disaster readiness plans and kits can be found via Florida Disaster.