FORECAST OVERVIEW:
You definitely could feel the difference today, I bet! After seeing highs near 80, we barely got out of the 40s on Tuesday with thick clouds in place. The cold front that came through the area Monday has stalled just east of the region across the Florida Panhandle. This front will allow low pressure to track along it tonight into Wednesday spreading another round of rain into the region. Drier weather returns through the end of the week into the weekend with a slow warm-up. Another round of rain and storms arrives as early as Sunday with another cold front. Rain chances may linger into the early part of next week.
TONIGHT - WEDNESDAY:
Low pressure will track along a stalled cold front over the Gulf tonight and Wednesday. Rain began moving onshore across Okaloosa Co. FL during the afternoon Tuesday. More rain developing over the Gulf and southeast Louisiana will move in to Mobile and Baldwin Co. later tonight. There will be a sharp line between who sees rain and who doesn't, with that dividing line being I-65. Areas west will see little to no rain. From Mobile, eastward, chances for rain will increase tonight and the first part of Wednesday, with the highest chances across northwest Florida. Temperatures tonight will be colder where skies will clear, with 30s western sections to 40s across northwest Florida. The rain will taper off from west to east Wednesday morning as the storm system moves away. Clearing will occur from west to east as well, with highs in the 50s.
THURSDAY - FRIDAY:
We remain cool into Thursday, with highs around 60. Friday will be even warmer with 60s expected as winds turn out of the East then onshore late Friday. Overnight temperatures will be coldest areawide on Thursday morning, with widespread 30s. 40s are expected Friday morning. Skies through the period will be partly cloudy.
THIS WEEKEND:
Warmer weather is expected with partly cloudy skies and temps near 70 each day. The warmer day will be Sunday with low 70s. Increasing humidity and onshore winds will lead to thick fog during the overnight hours, particularly Saturday night. A cold front will approach the area Sunday bringing a chance of showers and storms. The front will stall just offshore by early Monday morning.
EARLY NEXT WEEK:
Rain chances continue into Monday as the front stalls just offshore and begins moving back to the north as a warm front in response to more energy moving in from the west. This will lead to warmer temperatures Monday night and Tuesday, along with an increasing threat for heavier rainfall, depending on how the next storm evolves. Indications are, Monday and Tuesday will be mild, then it will turn quite chilly by the middle of next week as the next system departs the area.
Chief Meteorologist Derek Beasley
