'Dirty Rain,' Daily Downpours To Drench FL Amid Blazing Heat: Forecast

FLORIDA — Daily sea breezes could usher in rounds of storms for the next several days amid a brief period of "dirty rain" in Florida, weather forecasters told Patch on Monday.

Furthermore, heat could be an issue for some Floridians with at least one state region being placed under a heat advisory, potentially affecting outdoor activities.

Dirty rain — which occurs when dust arrives into Florida from Africa during rainfall — was present Monday but may leave for a brief period before possibly returning next week, said Nicole Carlisle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office.

Like the predicted daily storms, Carlisle said the dirty rain is normal for Florida during the summer and is not primarily a concern.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast each day in central Florida and in several other parts of the state. Carlisle said the rainfall in the immediate forthcoming days will be moving in from the southeast and toward the southwest.

Aside from heavy rainfall and gusty winds that could reach 40-50 mph, lightning is also an anticipated hazard, she said.

South Florida was at a moderate risk for rip currents along Atlantic beaches Monday.

"With ample moisture expected today, localized flooding may become a concern today for areas that receive repeated rounds of heavy rainfall. A few waterspouts cannot be ruled out today across the local waters," weather officials said in its hazardous weather outlook.

Areas south of Orlando could be saturated by scattered to numerous showers and storms Monday afternoon through the evening, according to the forecast.

Likely stronger storms are predicted to move along and north of the Interstate 4 corridor. The NWS said gusty winds could reach around 50 mph, and locally heavy rainfall could land anywhere between 1-3 inches.

Florida may not be solo in potentially being soaked this week. AccuWeather forecasted daily rain for the entire Southeast.

The downpours could delay travel, offer drought relief and produce flash flooding, AccuWeather said.

Some severe thunderstorms were expected Monday along and near the coast from areas north of Baltimore, Maryland to Jacksonville.

"An area of high pressure has set up shop off the Southeast coast," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said in a weather report. "This will help direct a flow of moisture around it through the Southeast, with its origins in the Caribbean, Central America and Gulf of Mexico."

He noted outdoor activities, such as beach trips and sports games, could be affected by the forthcoming rainfall.

The Florida Peninsula could largely be free of the heaviest rain this week; however, the area could receive a visit from showers and storms Tuesday due to a traveling tropical wave, AccuWeather said.

"This 'wave' is not expected to develop tropically, largely thanks to dust and drier air in the upper atmosphere that will put a lid on strengthening of this wave and others elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic this week," forecasters said.

But while Floridians could be prepping for these daily storms, they may also want to consider the heat.

Northeast and north Florida was under a heat advisory from noon until 6 p.m. Monday due to expected heat index values of 108-110.

Jacksonville had a high temperature of 92 degrees and a low of 77 degrees Monday, indicative of the remainder of the week.

While the NWS said South Florida could feel temperatures near advisory thresholds Tuesday-Sunday, it was Tampa that had a high of 96 degrees Monday. Temperatures in Tampa may not get any lower than 93 degrees.

The Orlando area could see peak heat indices of 103-107 Monday afternoon, generating a moderate to major heat risk.

"Those spending extended periods of time outside are encouraged to protect themselves from the sun and the heat by taking frequent breaks in the shade or an air conditioned building and remaining well hydrated," weather officials said.

As of around 12:30 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service predicted the following detailed forecast for Tampa Bay:

This Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind 3-6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. Southeast wind 5-8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday 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. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind 5-7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. East southeast wind 3-5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: Isolated 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 95. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday 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 76. Light east southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday: Isolated 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 93. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday 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. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

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

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

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