Local forecast: Fred’s impacts on Southwest Florida will begin on Friday

Good Thursday morning, Southwest Florida!

Tropics Update: For the latest updates on Tropical Depression Fred, click here.

Expect another hot and humid day with highs in the mid-90s this afternoon.

The humidity will still make it feel uncomfortable outside. Our dewpoints in the mid-70s will make it feel like we are in the triple digits during peak heating.

Cloud cover will build into the afternoon before isolated storms begin to form around 1 p.m. Expect the amount of showers and storms to grow into the late afternoon before pushing towards the coastline in the evening. After dark, we will lose any rain chances.

Unfortunately, Fred will have impacts on our local weather as early as tomorrow. Expect increased rain chances beginning on Friday. Gusty winds and some severe weather is expected on Saturday and Sunday.

We are also tracking a disturbance behind Fred that has a medium (60%)  chance of formation over the next five days. This system could potentially impact our weather by the end of next week.

The next name on our 2021 storm naming list is Grace.