Daily Scattered Storms With Gusty Winds To Pummel FL: Forecast

FLORIDA — Scattered storms, from north to south in Florida, could threaten the Sunshine State daily through next week, according to the forecast.

The rainfall could travel from Jacksonville to Tampa Bay to Orlando, impacting nearby areas along the way.

In South Florida, scattered thunderstorms could enter the area as soon as Friday evening - bringing lightning, gusty winds and heavy downpours, according to the National Weather Service.

This could affect Lake Okeechobee and Biscayne Bay, as well as Palm Beach, Collier, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Other potentially impacted areas include the coastal waters from the Jupiter Inlet to the Ocean Reef and waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach, excluding Bahamas, Glades and Hendry.

Storms could arrive daily statewide, entering into the tail end of next week. In South Florida, heat indices could rise, and areas along the Atlantic Coast could face an elevated risk of rip currents due to the potential strengthening of east to southeasterly winds, according to the forecast.

Florida joins other states nationwide who could experience thunderstorms this weekend. Georgia, Maryland and Virginia could all be hit by weekend storms, according to the NWS forecast.

AccuWeather forecasters said hail and flash flood-producing rain could cover the Great Plains in coming days. Straight-line wind gusts are also possible with storms, forecasters said.

As of around 4:25 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for Tampa Bay:

This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 77. Light east southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Southeast wind 3-6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Light southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind 3-6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.