Meteorologist: Zach Maloch
•7/8/2026
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — WINK News Weather Authority meteorologists are tracking a hotter stretch of weather as more communities are under a heat advisory this Wednesday afternoon.
Near-record heat and a large plume of Saharan dust headline our Thursday forecast.
Thursday
Afternoon high temperatures on Thursday will climb into the mid to upper 90s, with some communities approaching—or even tying or breaking—their record high for the day.
The hazy sky you may have noticed today will linger into Thursday. The source of that haze is Saharan dust, which also brings drier air and helps limit rain chances. A brief lull in the dust, along with a surge of moisture, will bring scattered storm chances back on Friday.
The Weather Authority is tracking another plume of Saharan dust moving over Southwest Florida early next week. You can find the latest updates on TV on WINK News.
Friday starts dry with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. While that large plume of Saharan dust will continue to move over Southwest Florida, more moisture will also be moving in and this will increase rain and storm coverage throughout the day. Plan for scattered storms (50% coverage) throughout the afternoon and evening. The hot and drier air mass will enhance some of those storms and a severe thunderstorm cannot be ruled out.
Temperatures top out in the mid to upper 90s with "feels like" temperatures ranging from 104 - 110°.
WINK News Weather Authority meteorologists are tracking the heat and the better storm chances Friday and Saturday. You can find the latest forecast on TV on WINK News and on the WINK Weather App.
