Near-record heat and a stormy end to Labor Day

Near-record heat is expected for Southwest Florida as temperatures surge into the upper 90s in many inland locations.

Ample humidity will make those high temperatures feel like the triple digits during peak heating. Boaters will experience excellent conditions on the water if they can dodge our storm chances. Light chop in our bays and 1- to 2-foot wave heights are forecast within the Gulf.

Scattered storms are in Monday’s forecast. After a mostly dry start, isolated storms will begin forming in the late afternoon. These will grow in coverage and strength as the day progress. Once the sun sets, activity will begin to cease. Severe weather is not expected. Our strongest storms will be capable of cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty winds and localized flooding.

 

Two named storms and one disturbance are currently active in the tropics. There is now a low (40%) chance of development for a tropical wave near Cape Verde to organize into a named storm by the weekend. Early indications suggest that this system would likely curve out to sea after forming. Fiona is the next name on our 2022 Atlantic Storm Naming List.

Hurricane Danielle continues to weaken in the North Atlantic. This system will not pose any threat to the U.S. and is expected to be downgraded into a tropical storm later this week.

Tropical Storm Earl is north of Cuba and drifting northward into a favorable environment for strengthening. Earl is forecast to become the first major hurricane of the season before the weekend. This system is NOT expected to bring significant impacts to the U.S. However, interests in Bermuda should continue to monitor the forecasts for Earl.