Latest news with #MelissaWatson
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Dust off your umbrellas: Central Florida may see some rain this weekend
After one of the driest Aprils on record — with just over a third of an inch of rain for the entire month — Orlando residents who have grieved over their brown lawns and wilted gardens are about to get a dose of relief: It's going to rain, at least a little bit, this weekend. According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, Orlando has a 30% chance of showers on Saturday and 60% for Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. Some areas could see more than half an inch. The cloudy, rainy skies will be part of a storm system moving eastward Saturday across Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia then dipping into Florida. 'That's going to push moisture into the Florida peninsula,' said Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the weather service. 'But unfortunately not everyone will receive rain. It will be spotty.' Even so, area homeowners would likely prefer some rain over none after watching gardens and lawns wilt and dry last month. 'Oh, I'm glad,' said Victoria Bruce as she stopped to take a break Thursday while walking at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. 'I almost forgot what rain looks like … My yard and plants will be happy.' April in Central Florida is typically considered the cruelest time of year for thirsty vegetation as it's one of the driest months. That was especially true this year. Last month, Orlando received 0.37 inches of rain. That's 2.21 inches less than the normal 2.58 inches — making it the 12th driest April in Orlando's history according to records going back 133 years. The city's driest April was in 1896 when there was no rainfall at all. However, April 2017 was drier than last month when Orlando saw just a trace — an amount so small it couldn't be recorded. Lack of significant rain this year — along with higher-than-normal temperatures and breezy days — caused Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties to issue burn bans that prohibit lighting fires outdoors. The bans are automatically activated by Florida counties whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale that measures dryness of soil — reaches or exceeds 500. According to the index as of Thursday, Lake had a reading of 611 followed by Volusia with 593, Seminole at 579, Orange with 576 and Osceola at 528. Dry springs also bring threats of wildfires. As of Thursday, 85 wildfires burned across Florida scorching nearly 3,200 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. However, most of those were contained including a one-acre brush fire in east Orange County. In 1998, the region had such severe drought conditions it led to the so-called Florida Firestorm. At that time, widespread wildfires burned hundreds of structures and canceled outdoor events including Fourth of July celebrations. Much of Lake, Orange and Seminole were experiencing severe drought conditions while stretches of northern Lake and Volusia were under extreme drought, as of early Tuesday and the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor. But long-range weather models show dry-as-a-bone conditions are not forecast to last long. According to the U.S. Center for Climate Prediction there's a 50% chance of above-normal rainfall for Central Florida through May 15. Even so, this weekend's rain won't put much of a dent in the region's drought conditions. So far, Orlando has received slightly over 4 inches this year — 6.11 inches below normal. And Central Florida's wet season typically doesn't start until May 27. Despite anticipated rain, don't expect much of a cooldown. Central Florida temperatures are forecast to be slightly above normal this weekend, according to the weather service. On Saturday, the thermometer is expected to climb to 89 degrees then drop to 69 overnight. Sunday's highs should reach 87 before dipping to 69 at night. Temperatures Monday are expected to climb to 86 with cloudy skies and sink to 68 at night. On Tuesday, Central Florida will have mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80s then drop to 69 overnight. Normal temperatures in May for Orlando are highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Potentially 'severe weather' in Daytona area could pose danger to Bike Week crowds
Breezy weather will continue in the Daytona Beach area into Wednesday night as potentially strong storms could pose dangerous conditions to motorcyclists, according to forecasters. Staying inside or having an alternative mode of transportation to avoid getting caught in a windy, rainy storm is the best way for Bike Week crowds to stay safe, said Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. 'We have a cold front that's forecast to move across the Daytona area today, and ahead of that we have a line of storms that will be pushing through into the afternoon,' Watson said. More Bike Week: Black Bike Week in Daytona Beach celebrates 50+ years of cultural tradition The area is under a 'marginal risk' of severe weather, which means storms could produce 40-50 mph winds, with the potential of even 60 mph gusts. 'Small hail will be possible, heavy downpours and frequent lightning as well,' Watson added. She encouraged bikers to 'always have multiple ways" to receive weather warnings. 'Before you head out, know where the showers and storms are relative to you,' Watson said. 'As rain comes down any driving conditions, whether it be for cars or motorcycles, that rain mixed with oil can cause slipperiness.' According to Watson, the forecast calls for mostly dry weather Thursday and into the early weekend. 'Breezy conditions today will remain breezy and gusty into tonight,' she said. The 15-20 mph winds will start to die down Thursday night and get lighter and lighter into the weekend. The National Weather Service is also calling for high risk of 'dangerous' rip currents on the Volusia County coast through Wednesday night. By Sunday, another cold front will bring rain chances again. 'We are looking at about 60% chance as of right now,' Watson said. Bike Week 2025: A complete guide to Daytona's 84th annual motorcycle festival Here is a look at the extended forecast for the Daytona Beach area, according to the National Weather Service forecast: 'Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67 degrees. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm winds becoming east southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. South-southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday: A 60% chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Monday: A 30% chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.' This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Bike Week crowd warned of 'severe weather' heading this way
