By Michael Thompson
Copyright hoodline
The National Weather Service in Melbourne issued a series of advisories today for the Orlando region, with a particular focus on deteriorating beach and marine conditions projected to intensify as the weekend approaches. The forecast includes dangerous beach and marine conditions expected to worsen again going into the weekend with coastal flooding, life-threatening rip currents, and rough surf with minor to moderate beach erosion, especially near times of high tide, according to the National Weather Service’s advisory.
As the weekend looms, residents should brace for increased rain chances today through Friday, particularly along the coast each day, where soils are saturated from recent rainfall. A cold front is expected to sweep through central Florida Friday night, ushering in a more fall-like airmass that should settle in late in the weekend into early next week.
Winds are anticipated to intensify throughout the area, particularly along the Volusia coast, where sustained speeds up to 20-25 mph may occur late afternoon. This is part of a broader pattern of scattered to numerous showers and isolated storms that are expected to spread onshore and inland. Rainfall could be heavy at times, raising concerns for locally heavy rainfall and mostly minor flooding issues, particularly along the coast, where there’s already a Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall.
The upcoming cold front will also bring cooler temperatures with highs below normal in the low 80s both Friday and Saturday, as well as the promise of drier air. Despite this, residents along the coast are warned to remain vigilant as the onshore breeze is set to worsen surf conditions significantly. The risk for rip currents remains high at area beaches with breaking waves anticipated to reach 5-7 feet developing along the Volusia coast tonight. In response, a High Surf Advisory is in effect for Volusia County starting 8 PM this evening.
For marine interests, the situation is equally precarious. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from today into the weekend, with NE winds north of Sebastian Inlet increasing from 15-20 knots this morning to 20-25 knots this afternoon. Boating conditions are expected to become hazardous, particularly as seas are projected to build up to 5-7 feet by late afternoon and 6-9 feet into tonight. The advisory extends to the Brevard County waters starting at 4 PM EDT, and mariners should exercise extreme caution or avoid going out to sea during these conditions.
With regards to air travel, operators should anticipate occasional MVFR with VFR and occasional MVFR forecast through the period at coastal sites in the morning as isolated showers move ashore, according to the aviation forecast. The approach of the front from the north could lead to pockets of decreased visibility and ceiling height, with brief IFR conditions and “TEMP” groups being a distinct possibility.