Be weather aware this weekend!
Per the National Weather Service out of Melbourne, a low pressure system is expected to form in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Friday, and cross the Florida Peninsula Saturday and Sunday, bringing weather more associated with a weak, wet tropical storm than the dry conditions we expected around Christmas.
"A very active weather pattern is forecast this weekend, with windy conditions, heavy rainfall, and dangerous beach/boating conditions and possibly even a few thunderstorms, though the severe threat remains in question," an NWS extended outlook explained. "Showers will begin to increase Friday night, then become widespread into Saturday afternoon, with a few thunderstorms possible ... Deep moisture, with possible training bands will support a locally heavy rainfall threat. Rainfall amounts of 2-4" are likely, with locally higher amounts of 6+" possible. This could lead to flooding concerns, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas."
It's already breezy in the area — according to weather observations at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, winds Thursday picked up around 9am to 20 mph sustained out of the east and northeast, gusting to over 30 mph.
Expect more of the same Friday, before the weather turns more to the wet during the mid-afternoon Saturday. Constant rain into Sunday morning could produce those 2-4 inches of rain (or more) expected through 7 a.m. Sunday. And, maybe take a pass on a trip to the beach on the East Coast this weekend, with winds of 35-45 mph expected along the coast expected late into the weekend, with rough surf and numerous life-threatening rip currents are expected along the beaches. Dangerous marine conditions are anticipated through the rest of the week and into the upcoming weekend due to strong winds and high seas.
