Zolfo Springs, Florida Weather Forecast Discussion

702
FXUS62 KTBW 111728
AFDTBW
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
128 PM EDT Thu Sep 11 2025
...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, MARINE, FIRE WEATHER...
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 128 PM EDT Thu Sep 11 2025
Current water vapor imagery indicates some cooler cloud tops over
the Gulf with widespread mid to high cloud cover extending across
much of the Florida Peninsula. At the surface, a stationary boundary
extends E-W across south Florida. Further to the north, there is a
trough axis that extends from the eastern Great Lakes to the
southeast across the Tennessee Valley. Water vapor imagery indicates
drier air to the north of the boundary across the Deep South and this
drier air is forecast to drift into the forecast area throughout the
next few days. This mornings 12z TBW sounding is still rather
saturated with 2.06 inches of PW, however, the JAX 12z sounding is
much drier with 1.25 inches of PW. The 2.06 inches of PW is around
the 90th percentile for mid-September and due to this, expect
precipitation chances will remain elevated today, especially along
and south of the I-4 corridor. Due to the higher PW values, there
could be some heavier downpours today and WPC has the southern half
of the area in a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. Most places
will see below an inch of rain today but an isolated spot has a low
chance of seeing 2-4 inches of rainfall. Most activity should come
to an end overnight. Lows will range around 10 degrees across the
forecast area from mid 60s across Levy county to mid 70s across
southwest Florida.
The trough to the north drifts southeastward on Friday and will
stretch from the Mid-Atlantic to the southwest to the northern
Gulf Coast. Closer to home, upper and low level flow will not
change too much and expect similar conditions on Friday as today.
The front should remain in a similar location with most of the
showers/storms south of I-4. Once again, heavier precipitation
will be a threat with PW values over 2 inches.
The stalled boundary finally begins to move late in the day Friday
and into the day on Saturday as the trough digs further to the
southeast into the Florida Peninsula. Models indicate PW values will
drop below 1.5 inches. These values are around the 25th percentile
for mid-September. Despite the drier air, PoPs around 20-40% will
continue in the forecast. The upper level trough will move overhead
over the weekend with cyclonic flow aloft. Forecast model soundings
indicate decent lapse rates aloft with the upper low overhead
supporting at least some low mention for afternoon showers/storms
over the weekend and into early next week.
Models indicate that this upper level low eventually closes off near
the GA/SC/NC coast early next week. There are some indications of
another potential front late in the forecast period. Overall, the
forecast will be on the drier side with the the threat for
isolated to scattered afternoon showers/storms. Morning lows will
remain a bit on the cooler side in the upper 60s to low 70s for
much of the upcoming week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 128 PM EDT Thu Sep 11 2025
VFR conditions continue at most of the terminals with ceilings
around 3 kft at both KFMY and KRSW. A stalled E-W boundary
continues to linger near these terminals. Best moisture this
afternoon and evening will be across the southern terminals with
drier air filtering in from the north. For now, have continued
with dry conditions at KTPA, KPIE, and KLAL throughout the TAF
period, with VCTS in the 20-02z timeframe at the remaining
terminals. There is enough confidence that TSRA will occur at KFMY
and KRSW that a TEMPO group was included from 21-23z.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 128 PM EDT Thu Sep 11 2025
Showers and storms will continue to develop over the waters as a
front remains stalled across south Florida supporting winds in
the offshore waters around 10 to 15 knots. This trend will
continue through Friday. After that a strong upper level trough
will push through causing the front to push south. This will help
to keep us mostly dry for the weekend however winds will still
stay around 10 to 15 knots.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 128 PM EDT Thu Sep 11 2025
A frontal boundary remains stalled across south FL bringing ample
moisture to southern half of the area through the rest of the week.
North of there, pockets of drier air will be present throughout the day.
Northeasterly winds are anticipated most of the period. Then, a
strong upper level trough will push the front south for the weekend
allowing humidity and rain chances to decrease, but RH values will
remain well above critical levels.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TPA  75  89  74  89 /  20  30  10  30
FMY  75  88  74  89 /  50  60  30  50
GIF  74  89  72  89 /  20  40  10  40
SRQ  74  88  72  89 /  30  40  20  30
BKV  69  88  69  89 /  10  20   0  30
SPG  75  87  74  87 /  20  30  10  30
&&
Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Thursday: 2
Sea Breeze Thunderstorm Regime For Friday: 2
For additional information on sea breeze regimes, go to:
     https://www.weather.gov/tbw/ThunderstormClimatology
&&
.TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
Gulf waters...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION/AVIATION/MARINE/FIRE WEATHER...Anderson
DECISION SUPPORT...Shiveley
UPPER AIR/CLIMATE...Shiveley

NWS TBW Office Area Forecast Discussion