SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – After days of tropical humidity, heavy rain and lingering impacts from Hurricane Isaias, the Suncoast is about to experience a welcome change.
A cold front is moving across Florida Sunday evening, pushing the remaining tropical moisture out of the region.
Behind it, high pressure will bring several days of sunshine, lower humidity and virtually no chance of rain.
The best part?
You won’t have to wait long.
By Monday morning, the difference should already be noticeable.
Tonight: The last of the hurricane leftovers
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin Friday evening before moving northward through Alabama and into the southeastern United States.
By Sunday morning, the system had weakened into a post-tropical cyclone over Kentucky.
The Weather Prediction Center issued its final public advisory Sunday morning, with the remnants expected to dissipate later in the day.
But the storm left one final weather feature behind.
A cold front extending southward into the Gulf is moving across Florida, pushing the remaining showers and thunderstorms toward the southern peninsula.
A few locally heavy showers remain possible Sunday evening, particularly across southern portions of the Suncoast.
However, the threat of excessive rainfall is rapidly diminishing.
Skies should begin clearing tonight as winds shift to the north.
Overnight temperatures will fall into the upper 60s inland and lower 70s near the coast.
Monday: Florida fall makes its entrance
Monday is when the change becomes obvious.
Expect abundant sunshine, afternoon temperatures in the middle to upper 80s and something we haven’t enjoyed much lately.
Lower humidity.
A much drier air mass is moving into Florida behind Sunday’s cold front.
The National Weather Service expects dew points to fall into the upper 50s across the Nature Coast and the lower to middle 60s farther south.
That may not sound like a dramatic change, but it makes a noticeable difference in how the air feels.
Dew points in the 70s typically produce that familiar Florida stickiness.
Lower them into the 60s, and the air becomes considerably more comfortable.
It’s not exactly sweater weather.
But after a hurricane and several days of tropical humidity, we’ll take it.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Where did the rain go?
Here’s something that might make you do a double take.
The Suncoast is expected to enjoy several consecutive days with virtually no chance of rain.
Monday and Tuesday should be completely dry.
Wednesday also looks predominantly dry, although a slight afternoon shower chance may develop over inland areas as winds turn easterly.
Temperatures will remain warm, generally reaching the upper 80s.
But lower humidity and clear skies should make mornings and evenings much more pleasant.
It’s a little taste of Florida fall without the need to dig out your winter wardrobe.
Thursday and Friday: Don’t put the umbrella away forever
Our dry stretch won’t last indefinitely.
By Wednesday, winds begin turning toward the east, gradually transporting more Atlantic moisture into Florida.
Initially, the atmosphere will remain too dry to support widespread showers.
But deeper moisture begins returning later in the week.
Rain chances increase to around 20% Thursday and 40% Friday.
Most of the activity should develop during the afternoon.
The greatest moisture increase is expected across southern portions of the region.
So enjoy the dry weather while it’s here.
Florida’s atmosphere has a way of remembering it’s still October.
Beaches: The hurricane’s final reminder
Although Isaias has moved far away, the Gulf continues feeling its effects.
Large swells generated by the storm have produced dangerous rip currents along the west coast of Florida.
The High Surf Advisory has expired, but a High Rip Current Risk remains in effect through Sunday evening.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from shore.
They can carry even experienced swimmers into deeper water.
Beachgoers should remain cautious until conditions improve.
The hurricane may be gone, but the water takes a little longer to settle down.
Boaters: Better days are coming
Boating conditions will improve significantly during the first half of the week.
Residual swells from Isaias will continue subsiding Sunday night and Monday.
High pressure building across the Gulf will bring lighter winds and calmer seas.
By Tuesday and Wednesday, conditions should be considerably more favorable for recreational boating.
Winds will generally come from the northeast and east, remaining below cautionary levels.
The calmer weather should continue through much of the week, although afternoon shower chances begin increasing Thursday and Friday.
Look up: The Moon is taking a break
There’s another benefit to the clearing skies.
Saturday brought a new moon, meaning the Moon is positioned approximately between Earth and the Sun.
Its illuminated side faces away from us, leaving the nighttime sky unusually dark.
And darker skies are excellent for stargazing.
With clear weather expected Monday and Tuesday nights, the Suncoast should have some outstanding opportunities to enjoy the stars.
One particularly interesting target is Saturn.
The ringed planet recently reached opposition and remains visible during the evening hours.
Look toward the eastern or southeastern sky after sunset.
Saturn appears as a bright, steady point of light.
And if you have a telescope, its famous rings are worth a look.
A meteor shower is on the way
October also brings one of the year’s better-known meteor showers.
The Orionids peak around October 21–22.
These meteors are created by debris left behind by Halley’s Comet.
When Earth passes through that debris stream, tiny particles enter our atmosphere at tremendous speeds, producing the streaks of light we call shooting stars.
Although the peak is still more than a week away, the shower is already active.
The best viewing typically occurs after midnight and before dawn.
And with the Moon currently near its new phase, the next several nights offer naturally darker skies.
The bottom line: A little Florida fall
The Suncoast is about to enjoy a welcome stretch of weather.
Sunday’s remaining showers will give way to clearing skies as a cold front moves through Florida.
Monday through Wednesday should feature abundant sunshine, warm afternoons and noticeably lower humidity.
Rain chances gradually return later in the week.
But for now, the forecast is offering something that has been in short supply lately.
A few days of weather that actually feels pretty good.
And after Isaias, that’s a forecast worth celebrating.
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