Warm & drier today, but Easter's rain timing could disrupt your plans

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, (WINK) — WINK News Weather Authority Meteorologists are forecasting a very warm afternoon, with not as much rain to impact your Saturday night plans.

Temperatures will be in the upper 80s, nearing 90 degrees for many. That means lots of melted chocolate for any of those Easter egg hunts today!

There will not be much rain out there to cool us off, as only a few showers are expected, primarily along the coast.

The Mighty Mussels game will be a warm one, but the great news is I am not expecting rain to have a big impact on the game. 

Sunday

Tomorrow brings big changes to the weather pattern. Between tropical moisture moving in and more moisture ahead of the next cold front, our rain chances increase greatly on your Easter Sunday.

The Weather Authority is watching for scattered showers and storms primarily in the late afternoon and evening hours, but a few showers in the midday hours can't be ruled out.

Good news for morning egg hunts and church services, though; rain chances are slim to none before 12. 

This week

Looking ahead, rain chances are on the rise. Your Monday evening commute could be a wet one, as a cold front pushes through into Tuesday.

Expect a soggy day on Tuesday, as well as when that front makes its pass.

This will bring our temperatures back to average in the low 80s, which will be a nice break from the hot and humid conditions we have seen lately.

Fire concerns

The WINK Weather Authority is monitoring a wildfire burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve near SR-29. As of the latest updates, it has burned at least 300 acres, and the status of containment is not yet known.

With winds primarily out of the east all throughout today, residents in Collier County, especially in Golden Gate Estates, could smell and even see the smoke plume.

Rain chances on the rise this week will be a big help in containing the fire. We will have more on this on WINK News this Evening.

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Beach and boating

Today could be a little bumpy on the water, but it will be a nice day. Not expecting rain to be a big impact to beach or boating plans, so soak up the sun! Gulf wave heights reach 2 to 3 feet with our bays and inland waters staying choppy.

Winds will be out of the east at 10 - 15 knots.

The Gulf water temperature is warming to 77 degrees.