Pensacola on Thursday managed to mostly dodge a “tropical rainstorm” that was forecast to produce heavy downpours through early Saturday, but we’re not out of the woods just yet.
Storms associated with the weak low-pressure area, which is now located about 100 miles south of the southwestern Louisiana coast, are forecast to drop between a quarter and a half of an inch of rain on the Pensacola area on Friday, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.
Some minor storm activity will persist through early Saturday before the tropical system leaves the area completely.
Pensacola did benefit from one aspect of the rainstorm: cooler temperatures. Thursday’s high reached 87 degrees, and Friday’s is expected to stick around the same.
The massive heat dome lingering over a huge swathe of the United States will make its presence felt in Pensacola once again next week as temperatures start to creep back up on Saturday.
Floridians throughout the state should expect to see more heat advisories issued.
‘Tropical rainstorm’ expected to drop up to a half-inch of rain on Friday
Rain was in the forecast in the Pensacola area on Thursday, but never showed. About a tenth of an inch of rain was recorded by the Pensacola International Airport on Thursday evening.
Friday is expected to see between a quarter to a half-inch of rain, mostly before 4 p.m. Forecast data from the NWS predicts about 0.34-inches of rain between noon and 3 p.m., about 0.08 inches between 3-9 p.m. and 0.12 inches overnight.
While Saturday is forecast to bring more showers, it will likely be sparse. The current forecast predicts just under a tenth of an inch of rain expected through 9 p.m.
Where is the ‘tropical rainstorm’ now?
The broad area of low pressure was located about 100 miles south of the southwestern Louisiana coast on Friday morning.
The system is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms while moving west-northwestward toward Texas.
While there’s still a window of opportunity for the system to develop into a tropical depression, the chances are low and it’s closing rapidly.
The National Hurricane Center says that there is a 10% chance of formation through the next 48 hours.
Florida likely to see heat advisories next week as temperatures soar
Next week could feel like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire for Floridians across the state and more than 100 million people nationwide.
The main dome of heat plaguing a large chunk of the country with temperatures running five to 15 degrees above the historical average is set to expand and shift into Southeast states on Friday into early next week.
The Florida Peninsula and the western tip of the Panhandle could see heat index values between 105 to 110 degrees, which may end up being conservative estimates.
High temperatures in Santa Rosa County are currently forecast to hit triple digits starting on Monday. Escambia County highs aren’t far behind them.
High temperatures in Pensacola
High temperatures in Milton
High temperatures in Fort Walton/Destin
Pensacola’s July has been 1.3 degrees hotter than average
July has been a toasty one in Pensacola, with temperatures averaging 1.3 degrees hotter across the month so far, according to NOAA’s latest climate data. Temperatures were about 4.3 degrees hotter over the past three days, coinciding with the recent heat advisories.
How hot will August be in Florida?
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center believes that the majority of Florida is likely to see above-normal temperatures in August. The Pensacola area stands out as the only part of the state that has equal chances of seeing below- or above-normal temperatures.
The map of areas impacted by the current heat dome is a near inversion of NOAA’s monthly temperature map, which was issued on July 17. The odds could swing toward Pensacola seeing a warmer-than-normal August should the dome stick around.
Weather radar for Pensacola, Milton, Fort Walton and Destin
Severe weather outlook for Pensacola, Milton, Fort Walton and Destin
Heat index alert: Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Heat dome to expand into Florida after ‘tropical rainstorm’ passes
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
