It’s going to be a nice one today across SWFL on this final day of summer 2023.
With low pressure organizing off the east coast of Florida, dry air is sweeping into the area on the back of a northerly wind. This will leave us with a mainly dry, partly sunny day. Highs will reach the upper 80s and low 90s, with slightly lower humidity and a steady northeast breeze at 10mph helping to keep us rather comfortable. Outside of an isolated shower right by the coast, rain is not expected as most spots enjoy a rain-free afternoon and evening.
Fall officially arrives in the northern hemisphere at 2:50 AM early tomorrow morning, and it will actually feel somewhat fall-like when you step out you door Saturday morning with temperatures settling into the lower 70s and upper 60s. Expect a pleasant day all around, with highs in the low 90s and plenty of sunshine. There will be a few storms that form during the afternoon and evening, though coverage will be highly isolated leaving most spots dry once again.
Rainy season weather will return Sunday, with a dry morning giving way to scattered afternoon storms. Highs will hold in the low 90s.
Tracking the tropics:
The NHC continues to monitor ‘Potential Tropical Cyclone 16’ as it nears the North Carolina Coastline. The non-tropical low is expected to reach the criteria to be declared a tropical or subtropical storm sometime today. Regardless, it will bring tropical storm force winds (40mph -70mph), heavy rainfall and the threat for storm surge to coastal North Carolina and Virginia through Saturday.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, the NHC is also monitoring a disturbance in the far eastern end of the Basin, pulling away from the Cabo Verde Islands. This system is likely to develop into a tropical depression over the weekend as it continues on a westerly course. Much like Lee and Nigel before it, it is forecast to make a turn to the north before reaching the Caribbean — and does not look to be a threat to us here in SWFL. We’ll be watching it closely regardless.
The next two names on the list are Ophelia and Philippe.