Warming Up This Week! 

Ahh, that's the Florida I remember! After a few days in the freezer a week ago, temperatures rebounded this weekend into the 70s. First, it was low 70s on Saturday then a spectacular finish to the weekend today with lots of sun and highs in the mid to upper 70s. Headed into the early part of the new work week, our temperature curve is upward with highs cresting near 78 degrees both Monday and Tuesday.

Areas of dense fog will still be an issue early in the morning on Monday and Tuesday as weak high pressure, light wind, and higher moisture levels get together to send humidity to 100% in the overnight hours. Fog will likely be more of an issue Tuesday rather than Monday morning as high to mid level clouds moving in will result in a more gradual temperature fall late tonight into early Monday morning. Each afternoon, expect a mix of sun and clouds with slightly cooler temperatures near the water, where a sea breeze will be able to kick in each afternoon.

High pressure will finally erode enough Wednesday to allow an upper level disturbance and its attached cold front to move through the area. Much of the area will see a chance of showers during the second half of Wednesday as this weak front moves through. Measurable rain is needed, too, as we begin to move into the driest part of the dry season: just a trace of rain fell during the opening week of 2012 and we're over 2" below average since December 1.

Behind the front, the forecast is still a little tricky as it hinges on what happens with an upper level disturbance moving south along the Pacific coast mid-week. If that disturbance "cuts off" and moves into the Pacific, it will be a "clean" frontal passage with cooler air moving into the region Friday itno the weekend. If that upper level low does not "cut off" and instead heads east, it's likely we'd get another shot of rain Friday into Saturday. Forecast models are now leaning toward the first scenario, so for now, we'll drop temperatures into the 60s for highs Friday through Sunday. I will be tracking it though as these upper level disturbances are often very difficult to forecast!

Have a great week.

Brian Monahan