Record heat ahead of Thursday’s isolated rain chances

High temperatures will return to the mid-90s under hazy skies. Many locations, including Fort Myers, are forecasting heat that would tie or break daily records. Cloud coverage will build after lunchtime, just as our “feels like” temperatures stretch into the triple digits.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected on Thursday afternoon. Severe weather is not expected with these storms. Lightning, gusty winds and hail will be their primary threats. These will hold off until the late afternoon and increase in strength towards the evening.

Boaters will encounter improved conditions on the water. Light chop is forecast for our bays and 1- to 2-foot wave heights will likely form in the open Gulf waters. After sunset, most of these showers will completely fizzle out. Saharan dust will continue to lower our air quality. Expect the amount of dust we are seeing to lower by Saturday. Daily scattered storm chances will also resume on the weekend.

The only disturbance that The Weather Authority has been monitoring in the Eastern Atlantic is no longer likely to develop. There are no other disturbances in the Atlantic at this time.