Monday, May 20, 2013  

Strong thunderstorms and heavy downpours and flooding overnight Sunday and Monday afternoon providing proof that a summertime wet-season weather pattern has moved into the southeastern states and the Florida Peninsula.  Slow moving heavy showers and thunderstorms will created localized street flooding in areas of Central Florida on Monday and more wet weather is expected for the rest of this week.  Some showers may develop along the coast overnight as a steady southeast wind continues to provide more moisture for the area.  Expect some clearing this morning with lows ranging from 67 in Ocala to 69 in Palm Coast to 71 in Orlando to 72 in Melbourne under partly cloudy skies.

 The overall weather pattern is not expected to change much over the next week, other than some minor fluctuations in the amount of energy available each afternoon to generate late day showers and thunderstorms.  With a similar setup expected today through Friday, it will likely be an active week of weather for the area.  After a very muggy morning, highs today will warm into the upper 80s with heat index reading sin the lower 90s and late day showers and storms.

At the coast, swimmers, surfers and boaters should take caution in the afternoon hours as scattered storms develop. Swimmers should swim near lifeguards as the rip current threat is elevated.