Unseasonal heat returns Wednesday, ahead of scattered storms

High temperatures will climb into the upper 80s and 90s under partly cloudy skies. “Feels like” temperatures will return to triple digits when you factor in the humidity.

Boaters will experience a light chop of 1- to 2-foot Gulf wave heights. The earlier you can set sail the better, as increased rain chances will form after lunchtime.

Scattered rain chances are in the forecast for Wednesday. After a dry start to the day, isolated storms will form around lunchtime. These will grow in power and coverage into the evening, with most of them fizzling out after dark. Severe weather is not expected. Lightning, gusty winds and isolated flooding will all be possible within our strongest storms.

The Weather Authority is keeping tabs on two named storms and two disturbances in the Atlantic. Off the coast of Africa, two tropical waves are being monitored for potential development within the next five days. One with a medium (60%) chance of development as it tracks into a favorable environment in the Mid-Atlantic. Regardless of formation, it will have no chance of impacting the United States. A tropical wave to its east now has a low (30%) chance of organizing into a named storm by Monday. It is too early to speculate on the long-term forecast for the wave, as it is roughly 4,000 miles away from Southwest Florida.

Danielle is still a Category 1 hurricane in the North Atlantic. It is expected to quickly weaken as it moves into cooler bodies of water. Just like our active disturbances, it will have no impact on the U.S.

Earl became a hurricane in the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday. Earl is now slated to become a major (Category 3) hurricane by the weekend. While the cyclone’s latest forecast track still carries it away from the U.S., interests in Bermuda should carefully monitor forecasts for this system.