Red flag warning issued for these Florida counties as drought worsens. See weekend forecast
Northeast Florida could see locally heavy downpours today as the front moves through, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.
The front is expected to weaken as it moves south.
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for seven counties early Friday along the central and east coast of the state.
Friday morning, there were 39 wildfires burning, up from 33 Thursday, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The average statewide drought index increased Thursday to 348, up seven points from Wednesday's 341.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for seven counties:
Brevard
Lake
Orange
Osceola
Polk
Seminole
Volusia
A red flag warning is issued when "critical fire weather conditions" are in place.
"A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger," the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters said residents under a red flag warning should follow this advice:
If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road.
Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the largest wildfires burning in Florida as of April 4 were (data is updated every Friday):
East Marsh Fire: One mile west of DeLand. 3,377 acres. 80% contained.
Fernadez Fire: Four miles northeast of Lake Kathryn. 565 acres. 80% contained.
Red Horse Fire: Fire started on private land seven miles northwest of Bowling Green. 390 acres. 95% contained.
"Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature," according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service in an email.
"For example, the '344 Fire' was due to its location near 344 Street."
Forecast for Friday, April 11:
Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Storms moved through the area Thursday day. On Friday, expect sunny skies, winds gusting as high as 20 mph. High 77. Low 54.
Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: A few strong to severe storms are possible Friday afternoon. Watch for gusty winds and possibility of hail. High 79. Low 52.
Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday. Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph and small hail will be the primary threats. High 81. Low 56.
East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Rain showers and isolated lightning storm chances will be small as a weakening cold front moves through the area Friday night. High 84. Low 61.
South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Scattered showers will be possible Friday afternoon into the early evening. High 78. Low 66.
Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: There's a risk for severe storms, mainly across the Nature Coast Friday evening into the nighttime hours. High 75. Low 66.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida was 348 Thursday. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
Dry conditions on the weekend, combined with falling relative humidity is expected to bring "sensitive to locally elevated wildfire conditions" throughout the state Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
As of Thursday, April 10, there were 17 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger. One county, Lee, has hit 600.
Broward: 524
Charlotte: 560
Collier: 587
DeSoto: 520
Glades: 549
Hardee: 562
Hendry: 594
Lake: 537
Lee: 600
Manatee: 545
Miami-Dade: 528
Monroe: 546
Palm Beach: 574
Pasco: 514
Sarasota: 553
Sumter: 522
Volusia: 501
Another 13 of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Five counties are within 25 points of hitting 500:
Highlands: 487
Hillsborough: 489
Martin: 494
Orange: 475
Polk: 482
Here's an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System.
0-200: Soil moisture and large-class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation.
200-400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity.
400-600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively.
600-800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels.
According to the Florida Forest Service, burn bans are in place for the following counties:
Charlotte
Collier
Glades
Hendry
Highlands
Lake
Sarasota
The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties:
Duval
Hillsborough
Orange
Pinellas
Early Friday, a weak cold front is expected to bring some showers to portions of the state. A few locally strong thunderstorms capable of small hail can't be ruled out, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
By Saturday morning, the front will push offshore, bringing mostly dry conditions and elevated wildfire conditions to the state.
High temperatures will reach the middle to upper 70s across North Florida and lower to middle80s across Central and South Florida on Friday.
Slightly cooler conditions will keep high temperatures in the lower 70s across North Florida, middle to upper 70s across Central Florida and upper 70s and lower 80s across South Florida Saturday afternoon.
Low temperatures will fall into the upper 40s to lower 50s across North Florida and middle 50s to middle 60s across Central and South Florida Friday night.
By Saturday night low temperatures will fall into the 40s again across North Florida, 50s throughout interior Central and South Florida and middle 50s to lower 60s across coastal Central and South Florida.
We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida wildfires feared from drought. Red flag warnings issued
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Will it get cooler in Florida soon? See what to expect this week and into weekend
Some relief may be in sight when it comes to the dangerous heat and humidity Florida residents have experienced lately. A "more typical thunderstorm pattern" is expected as a weak cold front approaches Florida Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across North Florida Aug. 2, with scattered showers predicted for Central Florida and isolated showers for South Florida. Until then, though, dangerous heat and humidity are expected to continue through the middle of the week, with heat advisories and a heat index in the 100s and lower 110s. Don't expect Florida temperatures to drop dramatically. Highs are forecast to range from the upper 80s into the low to mid 90s by the end of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. ➤ See when heat watches and warnings could be issued in your area Heat warnings, watches, advisories in effect across Florida Quick look at conditions around Florida Wednesday, July 30 Pensacola, western Panhandle: A heat advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. CT. Heat index could reach 109. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Dangerous heat continues the next few days from late morning to early evening. Highs will range from 93 to 98, with feels-like temps between 105 to 111. Jacksonville, North, Northeast Florida: A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Heat indices will soar to 108 to 113 this afternoon. Daytona Beach to Stuart, central and eastern Florida: Hazardous levels of heat continue today, Wednesday, July 30. A heat advisory is in effect from noon to 7 p.m. today across all of Central Florida. Peak heat indices will top out between 108 and 112 degrees. South Florida: Warm weather continues today with highs in the lower 90s across the east coast metro, to mid and upper 90s over the interior and Southwest Florida. Scattered storms expected this afternoon into early evening. Southwest, western Florida: Another day today with the dangerously high heat index values for West Central Florida. A heat advisory is in effect from noon to 7 p.m. How long will Florida heat last? When will it get cooler? Higher-than-average temperatures are "going to last for a good part of the work week," said Matt Volkmer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne in a phone interview Tuesday morning. "It's going to be pretty hot this week and we expect more heat advisories, especially for the interior." There may be some relief in sight for the weekend or early next week. Note the word "some." Models are showing temperatures could drop closer to average due to the cooling effects of storms and cloud cover, Volkmer said. Florida's west coast should start seeing temps dip today, July 30, into the mid to low 90s instead of the upper 90s, with a heat index of Florida normal, about 105," Stephen Shiveley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Tampa Bay said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. By Sunday or Monday, "we may finally get closer to average, with a chance for rain, although the chances for rain on the west coast" are lower than along the east coast and Central Florida, Shiveley said. Heat advisory issued for 58 Florida counties A heat advisory is in effect for the following counties Wednesday, July 30: Alachua Baker Bay Bradford Brevard Calhoun Citrus Clay Columbia DeSoto Dixie Duval Escambia Flagler Franklin Gadsden Gilchrist Gulf Hamilton Hardee Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Holmes Indian River County Jackson Jefferson Lafayette Lake Leon Levy Liberty Madison Manatee Marion Martin Nassau Okaloosa Okeechobee Orange Osceola Pasco Pinellas Polk Putnam St. Johns St. Lucie Santa Rosa Sarasota Seminole Sumter Suwannee Taylor Union Volusia Wakulla Walton Washington What is a heat advisory? A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, according to the National Weather Service. When a heat advisory is issued also depends on where you are in Florida. For most of the state, a heat advisory is issued if the heat index is expected to be between 108 to 112 degrees. Here is the breakdown by each NWS region. A heat advisory is issued when the heat index is expected to be: Western Panhandle: 108-112 degrees Central Panhandle, North Florida: 108 to 112 within the next 6 to 24 hours or air temperature is forecast to reach 103 degrees Northeast Florida: 108-112 degrees East Central Florida: 108 to 112 degrees In South Florida: 108 degrees in South Florida or 105 degrees for Miami/Dade and Broward counties Southwest, West Central Florida: 108-112 or the air temp is greater or equal to 103 degrees The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for a heat advisory for its population. What should you do when there is a heat advisory? "Residents are advised to consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day," the National Weather Service said. "If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening." Heat index and temperature map for US, Florida Expected temperatures across Florida through first weekend of August Pensacola Wednesday: High lower 90s. Heat index 109. Thursday: High lower 90s. Heat index 108. Friday: High lower 90s. Heat index 110. Saturday: High lower 90s. Heat index 105. Sunday: High upper 80s. Tallahassee Wednesday: High 94. Heat index 110. Thursday: High 95. Heat index 110. Friday: High 94. Saturday: High 92. Sunday: High 88. Jacksonville Wednesday: High 97. Heat index 109. Thursday: High 97. Heat index 110. Friday: High 98. Saturday: High 95. Sunday: High 89. Daytona Beach Wednesday: High 94. Heat index 109. Thursday: High 93. Heat index 105. Friday: High 94. Saturday: High 92. Sunday: High 90. Melbourne Wednesday: High 95. Heat index 110. Thursday: High 94. Heat index 107. Friday: High 93. Saturday: High 94. Sunday: High 93. Port St. Lucie Wednesday: High 94. Heat index 107. Thursday: High 93. Heat index 103. Friday: High 93. Saturday: High 94. Sunday: High 93. West Palm Beach Wednesday: High 87. Heat index 103. Thursday: High 88. Heat index 101. Friday: High 87. Saturday: High 88. Sunday: High 88. Fort Myers Wednesday: High 93. Heat index 104. Thursday: High 93. Heat index 103. Friday: High 94. Saturday: High 92. Sunday: High 93. Naples Wednesday: High 90. Heat index 105. Thursday: High 91. Heat index 103. Friday: High 91. Saturday: High 92. Sunday: High 91. Sarasota Wednesday: High 90. Heat index 102. Thursday: High 90. Heat index 102. Friday: High 90. Saturday: High 90. Sunday: High 89. Orlando Wednesday: High 97. Heat index 106. Thursday: High 96. Heat index 107. Friday: High 97. Saturday: High 96. Sunday: High 95. National Hurricane Center tracking four tropical waves All is quiet in the tropics, with no development expected over the next seven days. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring four tropical waves, including two in the Caribbean. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will provide weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida heat continues. Cold front could bring dip in temps, rain Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
12 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Heavy rain pummels the East Coast and sparks isolated flash flooding
Strong rain storms lashed the East Coast Thursday, delaying flights throughout the region and prompting emergency rescues of motorists trapped in deep water on busy highways from the Philadelphia area to New York City. In New York, flash flooding briefly closed sections of major roadways and flooded train stations across the metropolitan region as the evening rush hour approached. Commuters captured video of water pouring over a train on a platform in Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal and water pooling on the floor of a city bus as it pushed through a flooded Brooklyn street. Riders of one Long Island-bound commuter train were evacuated by firefighters as floodwaters rose. Other commuter rail lines on Long Island and New Jersey were suspended or severely delayed. Amtrak officials announced Thursday evening that trains between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware were stopped because of severe storms sending high water over the tracks. 'Once a route is available, anticipate residual delays,' company officials posted on X. Traffic cameras and social media posts on a highway in the New York City borough of Queens showed motorists at one point standing on the roofs of stranded vehicles and a tractor-trailer nearly fully submerged. Police said they pulled cars carrying two people from the flooded stretch before the waters receded and traffic slowly resumed. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other local officials pleaded with people to stay off the roads and urged residents in basement apartments to move to higher locations as rain was expected to fall through Friday afternoon. In Pennsylvania, National Weather Service warnings of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) of rain in an hour produced flooding in Reading, a city about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. Photos and videos online showed parked cars nearly underwater and water pouring down a narrow city street. Other videos from Reading showed emergency vehicles blocking off some streets or underpasses as flood waters had rendered them impassable. In Maryland, emergency responders rescued multiple people from flooded vehicles in communities northeast of Baltimore. Officials there also preemptively closed roads prone to flooding, shuttered schools and libraries early and opened emergency shelters as more thunderstorms were expected across Maryland. Flood watches and warnings were issued across the state. Airports in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia all reported scores of flight delays and cancellations into Thursday evening. Tornado warnings in New Jersey came and went with no reports of twisters, though more than 14,000 electricity customers were without power as of Thursday evening. States of emergency were declared in New Jersey and New York City, though flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings were lifted in New York City by Thursday night. Flood watches and severe thunderstorm watches posted in other locations remained in effect into Friday morning, with 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain possible in some areas of the East Coast. The weather service warned flooding was possible in small creeks and streams and along highways, streets, underpasses and places with poor drainage. Some areas could also see high wind gusts and hail. __
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kansas City air deemed ‘unhealthy' as wildfire smoke casts haze across skies
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, as well as areas across the metro, are experiencing low air quality due to wildfire smoke. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said winds are bringing Canadian wildfire smoke into the state, particularly central and eastern Kansas. Lions Lake to be drained in Warrensburg; anglers can remove as many fish as possible The air quality in Kansas City – both in Missouri and Kansas – is listed as 'unhealthy,' as of 9 a.m. Friday. Across the metro, also lists the air quality as 'unhealthy.' The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert Thursday morning. That means people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children and teens are more vulnerable. These conditions are likely to persist Friday and Saturday, according to KDHE. The Air Quality Index (AQI) will likely range from 'moderate' to 'unhealthy' at times. You can view the current air quality for your area by clicking here. KDHE shared the following tips to protect your health when the air quality is low: Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise. More vulnerable people should remain indoors. Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
