Brutal Temps Trigger Heat Advisories, Daily Storms In FL Forecast

FLORIDA — Sweltering temperatures, and the chances of daily storms, will cover much of the Sunshine State this week. As a result of high temperatures, several heat advisories are in effect Monday for much of Florida.

And, mimicking last week's weather behavior, daily storms are expected this week throughout Florida, which could pose a risk of flooding and rip currents.

Heat indices of up to 111 degrees are expected in areas stretching from the central to northern region, the National Weather Service said.

The high temperature Monday is expected to be 93 degrees in Tampa Bay, 97 degrees in Orlando, 90 degrees in Miami and 94 degrees in Jacksonville.

With heat index values from 105 to 112 degrees expected in the Miami area, and values up to 112 degrees anticipated in Orlando, heat advisories have also been issued for these two Florida cities.

The heat advisories are set to expire at 6 p.m. for the following counties:

• Sumter
• Pinellas
• Polk
• Hardee
• Highlands
• DeSoto
• Levy
• Citrus
• Hernando
• Pasco
• Hillsborough
• Manatee
• Sarasota
• Charlotte
• Lee
• Glades
• Hendry
• Palm Beach
• Collier
• Broward
• Miami-Dade
• Monroe
• Volusia
• Lake
• Orange
• Seminole
• Osceola
• Okeechobee
• Indian River
• St. Lucie
• Martin
• Brevard

Additionally, the Jacksonville area is under a heat advisory until 7 p.m. Monday. This affects Suwannee, Baker, Nassau, Union, Bradford, St. Johns, Gilchrist, Flagler, Hamilton, Duval, Clay, Alachua, Putnam, Trout River, Columbia, Charlton, Ware and Marion counties.

The hot temperatures could cause illnesses, weather officials said. Residents should drink plenty of fluids and remain in air-conditioned rooms. People are urged to stay out of the sun and to check on relatives or neighbors.

The weather service offered the following additional heat safety tips:

• Take extra precautions when outside.
• Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
• Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• To reduce risk during outdoor work, schedule frequent rest breaks in
• shaded or air conditioned environments.
• Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
• Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.

Weather officials said Miami could experience scattered thunderstorms Monday afternoon, most significantly over the Lake Okeechobee region. Stronger storms could product frequent lightning and heavy downpours, officials said.

Localized flooding could also be concerning for South Florida residents with slow-moving storms, weather officials said. Palm beaches are at a moderate risk for rip currents.

Meanwhile, east central Florida is expecting on Monday excessive rainfall due to numerous to scattered showers and isolated to scattered lightning storms.

Residents may experience wind gusts up to 40-50 mph, locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning strikes.

The predicted afternoon showers could generate 1-3 inches of rain in 60-90 minutes, with local amounts of up to 4 inches, weather officials said.

Low-lying areas and roadways could fall victim to minor flooding. Officials said this puts parts of Lake, Volusia, Orange, Seminole and northern Brevard counties at risk for excessive rainfall.

Furthermore, all central Florida Atlantic beaches are at a moderate risk for dangerous rip currents.

"Remember to swim near a lifeguard, and never swim alone," weather officials said in a hazardous weather outlook.

As of around 12:15 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 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 104. Southwest wind 6-8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then isolated showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 81. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5-7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west 5-8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west 5-7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 96. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 95. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.