Dust on the way: Saharan air could cut rain chances by midweek

Sunday Forecast

THE WEATHER AUTHORITY, (WINK) — After a stormy start to Sunday, Southwest Florida settled into a more typical summertime pattern during the afternoon, with coastal rain easing and thunderstorms shifting inland.

That same setup is expected to repeat on Monday, bringing another round of heat, humidity, and scattered thunderstorms.

Monday Outlook

The day will begin with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the middle to upper 70s. A few showers and thunderstorms may develop near the coast during the morning before activity shifts inland through the afternoon.

High temperatures will climb into the lower 90s across Southwest Florida. When combined with Florida's summer humidity, heat index values will soar into the 103° to 107° range during the afternoon.

If you'll be spending time outdoors, make sure to stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.

Storm Timing

As Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes develop Monday afternoon, scattered thunderstorms are expected to form and move inland beginning around midday and continuing through the evening commute.

The greatest coverage is expected along and east of the Interstate 75 corridor, where sea breeze collisions will provide the best focus for thunderstorm development. Some storms may produce Frequent lightning, Heavy downpours and wind gusts over 40 mph.

While not everyone will see rain, most communities have at least a scattered chance of storms during the afternoon and evening hours.

Looking Ahead

A larger plume of Saharan dust is expected to arrive by Wednesday, increasing dry air aloft and helping to suppress thunderstorm development. As a result, rain chances are expected to decrease through the second half of the workweek, dropping to around 30%.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and remember to keep an eye on the radar if you have outdoor plans later this afternoon or evening.