Storms didn’t cover the entire Treasure Coast overnight May 11, leading to a wide range of rainfall totals across the area of anywhere from under an inch to 2 inches, said meteorologist Derrick Weitlich with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
More rainfall — along with the continued possibility of high winds and small hail was expected May 12 and May 13 across the Treasure Coast.
Some volunteer observers reported 1-2 inches of rain had fallen into early May 12, especially across Indian River County, Weitlich said, but the rainfall total at the Vero Beach Regional Airport was 0.39 inches.
The rainfall total at the Treasure Coast International Airport in Fort Pierce for that time period was 0.63 inches, he said, but some coastal parts of St. Lucie County received more.
A flood advisory had been issued for inland Martin County, west of Florida’s Turnpike and Interstate 95, Weitlich said. An unofficial rain measurement site between Indiantown and Palm City record 1.41 inches of rain, but Witham Field in Stuart received only 0.02 inches.
Similar localized heavy rainfall was expected May 12 as a front slowly moves across the Treasure Coast, he said. Rain chances were 80% across the area.
Rain chances remain high at 60-70% May 13, as the front pushes through the area, he said. Rain chances begin to decrease May 14 behind the front, dropping down to 20-30% through the weekend.
Each day through May 13 the threat of strong to severe weather develops in the mid- to late afternoon and possibly early evening, Weitlich said.
A couple of storms could bring damaging winds of 60 mph or higher, quarter-size hail about 1-inch in diameter and the possibility of a tornado, he said.
High temperatures during the day reach 85 degrees in Vero Beach and Stuart and 86 degrees in Fort Pierce, which Weitlich said is normal for this time of the year.
However, he said, low temperatures at night in the low to mid-70s remain higher than normal in the low 60s.
A moderate risk for rip currents and poor boating conditions continues across the area, Weitlich said.
Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter with TCPalm. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Expect more Florida rainfall, localized heavy amounts, possible small hail
Reporting by Laurie K. Blandford, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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