WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — South Florida is heading into a wetter stretch of weather, with scattered to numerous thunderstorms expected each afternoon through the end of the week and the potential for locally heavy rainfall.
Deep tropical moisture has returned to the region, giving thunderstorms more moisture to work with than during the past several days. Showers and storms will develop along the sea breezes this afternoon before moving inland, with the greatest coverage expected across the interior.
Heavy downpours could bring localized flooding as South Florida turns wetter. (WPEC)
Heavy rainfall will be one of the main concerns. Some locations could receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, with isolated totals of 3 to 4 inches possible where the heaviest storms develop. That could lead to localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.
The Weather Prediction Center has put the area under a marginal, or level 1 out of 4, threat for flooding due to excessive rainfall.
The strongest thunderstorms will also be capable of producing frequent lightning and gusty winds. Storm activity will gradually decrease through the evening before redeveloping Thursday afternoon.
Temperatures will remain hot despite the increase in rain. Afternoon highs will reach the low to mid-90s, with humidity pushing heat index values into the low 100s. More clouds and thunderstorms should help keep feels-like temperatures from reaching the 105 to 110 degree range seen during some of the hotter stretches this summer.
Heavy downpours could bring localized flooding as South Florida turns wetter. (WPEC)
The pattern becomes even more active heading toward the weekend as disturbances higher in the atmosphere provide additional support for thunderstorms. Friday could be one of the wetter days, with rain chances reaching 60% to 80% and the greatest coverage once again favoring interior and Southwest Florida.