Scattered afternoon thunderstorms are back in the forecast Sunday through Wednesday across the Suncoast, and Saturday showed just how uneven this pattern can be. SRQ recorded 1.66 inches of rain while Lakewood Ranch, just 12 miles east, picked up a mere 0.05 inches. That kind of split is typical for September, when storms pop up in one neighborhood and skip the next. The main hazard with these cells is lightning, so if you have tennis, golf, or a beach trip planned, the morning hours are your best bet.
Relief is on the way. A cold front moves through Thursday, drying things out and pushing dew points into the 60s by the end of the week. Rain chances drop sharply by next weekend, which means the outdoor plans you keep canceling should finally hold up. After a long, humid summer, that drop in moisture is the first real hint of fall on the Gulf Coast.
In the tropics, Tropical Depression Six strengthened into Tropical Storm Fay, currently about 2,700 miles from Florida near the Azores. Fay carries 45 mph winds, is drifting north-northeast at 5 mph, and is expected to turn southwest on Monday. There is no threat to the Suncoast at this distance, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. What’s your go-to plan when afternoon storms roll in?
