Well, it finally got wetter! About a week ago, I blogged about how the southern branch of the jet stream was shifting south and that, coupled with an influx of tropical moisture, would spell an end to our tinder-box dry conditions across central Florida. Most parts of the area have seen beneficial rain over the last few days; Melbourne even broke a second-longest-on-record 41 day streak without measurable rain! And more rain fell today in Melbourne, with 0.32" in the gauge through 5 pm Friday.

With some strong upper level wind overhead and a shift in wind direction with height, some of the showers and storms that developed today in the heating of the afternoon were showing signs of rotation. No tornado or severe thunderstorm warnings were issued, but there were some cells we were watching closely for a time this afternoon. Isolated showers will continue through late this evening before a batch of steadier rain arrives within a few hours of midnight -- this will be the actual cold front moving through. And what a front it is!

Saturday will be a transition day as it turns windy and cooler through the afternoon. We'll have lots of sunshine by the afternoon with highs close to 70. It's Saturday night and Sunday that the bottom drops out though! Lows Sunday will be in the 20s and 30s across the area and, with a strong north wind, wind chills will be in the 20s area wide. In fact, there's already a freeze watch in effect for Marion and Flagler Counties. By day, temperatures will struggle to get out of the low to mid 50s Sunday -- marking our coolest afternoon since it was just 49 on January 3rd. The coldest part of the stretch will arrive Monday morning, with widespread frost likely northwest of I-4 and temperatures in the mid 30s as far south as the metro.

Winter's not over yet!

Brian Monahan