Hot, Soggy Labor Day Weather Could Dampen FL's Travel Plans: Forecast

FLORIDA — Labor Day weekend in Florida may be hot and soggy due to forthcoming high pressure in the Southeast, according to forecasters.

Aspiring beachgoers may get discouraged as storms are predicted to threaten their plans, but forecasters told Patch enjoying the beach may still be possible.

Meanwhile, the Sunshine State may not cool down in the near future as temperatures are forecast to heat up the days leading into the peak of hurricane season, which is in September.

Forecasts from both AccuWeather and the National Weather Service indicate Labor Day storms could drench Florida on Monday, potentially dampening any activities.

"Labor Day may not be a good beach day for these areas in the South," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a news release Monday.

He added storms could affect states near the Gulf Ocean to those near the south Atlantic Ocean, north of the Florida peninsula.

Contrastingly, conditions in some areas of central Florida may favor beach days; however, people may need to sit in their cars during periods of rain, National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Davis told Patch.

As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasted an 80 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in Tampa, a 50 percent chance for storms in the Miami area and a 60 percent chance for storms in the Orlando area.

A cold front that will target much of the U.S., including the Southeast, may miss Florida, AccuWeather said in a report released Monday.

Even so, Davis said Florida is finding itself in a normal consistent pattern of daily storm expectations and hot and humid weather. Clouds and sea breezes may ramp up in the afternoons.

Storms may not be severe, but Davis surmised lightning may be of the utmost concern for Floridians.

"Florida is the lightning capital of the United States, so we want people out this holiday weekend to remain safe," he said.

RELATED: FL Faces 'Supercharged' Hurricane Season: AccuWeather Forecast

When residents see lightning or thunder, Davis suggested they relocate indoors or move to a secure location.

After the deadly Hurricane Debby pounded Florida in early August, Davis said the southern state has faced flood issues since then.

"If we get any brief heavy rainfall in a short period of time, we could see some localized flooding with water over roads," he said.

He encouraged people to not drive "into water of unknown depths" as they could potentially get swept away by the water.

The impending storms could be capable of producing 30-40 mph storms and blow around objects, he said. Also, another hazard could be a brief water or land spout with winds of 50-60 mph.

Though there is a minimal risk of a tropical system possibly developing east of the Lesser Antilles sometime between Saturday and Monday, AccuWeather said the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) should escape any impacts from the system during the week.

However, conditions may be more favorable for tropical development in the Atlantic basin starting next week, AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said in the release.

Davis said the weather service is not monitoring any tropical developments for Florida during the holiday weekend, adding the tropical basin was quiet as of Wednesday.

As for the heat, summertime temperatures will continue to warm the Gulf Coast this week, AccuWeather said.

Florida temperatures are expected to move through highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s through Monday, the weather service predicted Wednesday.

Davis noted mornings could feel warm and muggy, but humidity could increase heat index values to 102-107 degrees daily. Again, this is usual Florida late summer weather, he said.

Some Florida neighbors, like Alabama, could reach 105-110 degrees midweek, AccuWeather said.

As the threshold for issuing a heat advisory is a heat index of 108 degrees, Davis said the hot weather in Florida may not meet heat advisory criteria.

However, he advised residents "be weather aware" and to "be mindful of how weather impacts you."

People, especially those susceptible to heat exhaustion, should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Davis recommended people remain in air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day.

He also said people should not leave pets or children in locked cars.

"It literally takes only a matter of minutes for things to get pretty hot and potentially deadly," Davis said.

Travel Ahead of Labor Day

Travel agency AAA on Aug. 19 surmised a peak congestion time of 10:15 a.m. Saturday for Labor Day traveling from Tampa to Orlando via Interstate 4 east, when traveling could last for 1 hour and 58 minutes.

During this time, the metro is expected to see a 39 percent traffic increase, AAA said. The agency named Orlando the second top domestic Labor Day destination.

In Florida, AccuWeather said people may feel fair weather Friday during a time of possible travel preparation.

The National Weather Service forecasted showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

With hot and thundery weather anticipated in the central and eastern U.S., Pastelok warned delays on the road and by airplane could occur in some parts of the U.S., including areas stretching from Oklahoma City and Dallas to Detroit and Chicago.

AccuWeather projected a peak of 300 flight cancellations Sunday, the day before Labor Day. Outdoor plans in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, may be threatened by travel delays or disruptions, forecasters said.