


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
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939 FXUS62 KMLB 280734 AFDMLB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 334 AM EDT Thu Aug 28 2025 ...New KEY MESSAGES, DISCUSSION, MARINE... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 330 AM EDT Thu Aug 28 2025 - Daily rain and lightning storm chances increase late week into the weekend, bringing the potential of gusty winds, frequent lightning, and torrential downpours - With repeated rounds of rainfall possible over some of the same locations each day, the risk for localized flooding increases this weekend into early next week - A moderate rip current risk exists at area beaches today and may persist at some east central Florida beaches this weekend && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 330 AM EDT Thu Aug 28 2025 Today-Tonight...Weak surface-500mb flow, a nearby stationary front, and 2"+ PW have resulted in some persistent coastal showers and storms across northern Volusia County this morning. A couple of rain gauges at the immediate coast and on the barrier island received 4- 5" of rainfall as a result. Farther south, isolated showers over Okeechobee County and the Treasure Coast have developed. As we approach daybreak, most activity is forecast to trend offshore, leaving a majority of the area dry to start the day. Light and variable winds through mid morning will gradually veer easterly at the coast as we approach lunchtime. As the east coast sea breeze develops, temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 80s to low 90s by early afternoon. Portions of the coast will experience the sea breeze first, and this is where some of the first showers and storms are anticipated, beginning as early as 11AM-1PM. Outflow created by this convection may help accelerate the sea breeze inland, resulting in additional showers and lightning storms along and west of Interstate 95. Again today, westerly steering flow will remain weak. Expect erratic storm motions and new convection forming at the intersection of outflow boundaries and the eventual east-west coast sea breeze collision. This collision is anticipated near the Greater Orlando area, extending south toward the Kissimmee Prairie and Okeechobee County. By early evening, ongoing showers and storms are forecast to drift back toward the Atlantic coast, eventually pushing offshore by midnight Friday. CAM forecast soundings indicate an environment supportive of gusty winds to 50 mph, frequent lightning strikes, and torrential downpours. Small hail cannot be ruled out with the most organized storms as steep low-level lapse rates combine with marginal (6C/km) mid-level lapse rates and some residual drying in the ice growth region. Per usual, we will also be keeping an eye on any boundary collisions for short-lived rotation. Not everyone will receive measurable rainfall today, but those who do could pick up a quick 1-3". Drier conditions resume in large part late tonight into early Friday as temperatures settle into the mid 70s. A stray shower or two cannot be entirely ruled out along the immediate coast overnight. This Weekend...Deep moisture return, a stationary front draped over north-central Florida, and pockets of mid/upper level energy rounding the base of an eastern CONUS trough will set the stage for unsettled weather this holiday weekend. On Friday, weak surface winds in the morning will turn ENE as the east coast breeze pushes inland (perhaps slightly faster across the northern CWA). Westerly steering flow deepens/strengthens a bit as PVA rounds the base of a 500mb trough over north Florida. More afternoon showers and storms are forecast with precip chances around 60-75% areawide. Gusty winds, frequent lightning, and torrential downpours will accompany the most organized activity. By early evening, a drift of storms back toward the coast will once again be favored. With greater moisture availability, some showers may linger into the overnight hours (especially along the coast) as temperatures retreat into the 70s. Greater coverage of showers and lightning storms are forecast both Saturday and Sunday. Repeated rounds of rainfall spell a gradually increasing risk for localized flooding as we move further into the weekend. Saturated sounding profiles with PW near 2.1-2.2"+ each afternoon, while in the presence of a stalled front just to the north, indicate the potential for storms each day to produce high rainfall rates. A Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall covers most of the area Friday and Saturday, with the northern two-thirds of ECFL favored on Sunday. Heavier rains over the St. Johns River Basin could also lead to Astor remaining in at least Action Stage for some time longer. Confidence in storms pushing back toward the coast each afternoon and evening is medium, due to stronger WNW steering flow (especially Sunday). Widespread 1-2" of rainfall is forecast by this time Monday morning, though 48-hour HREF PMM (thru Friday night) alone indicates localized pockets of 2-4"+. In addition to the rainfall threat, gusty winds produced by water-loaded downdrafts and frequent lightning are also in play. For those with outdoor plans this weekend, be prepared to move indoors when thunder roars and skies threaten! Labor Day-Wednesday...The stretch of unsettled wet weather looks to last into the first part of next week as 500mb trough anomalies park over the eastern half of the country. Rain chances remain high (70- 80%) through at least Tuesday before we start to see some movement in the surface front to our north. The front is forecast to very slowly drift southward toward the Treasure Coast by Wednesday and eventually reach the Florida Straits on Thursday. Global models are in a little more agreement in the most recent 00z run, with comparably drier air moving into the northern half of ECFL by Wednesday. North-northeasterly surface winds turn increasingly onshore with the sea breeze each afternoon, which is where much of the shower and storm activity will continue to be focused. Looking ahead, it does look rain chances taper down a bit more later next week. Temperatures early next week are forecast to be near to slightly below normal for the start of September: highs in the mid 80s to near 90 degrees and overnight lows in the low to mid 70s. As rain chances decrease by the middle to latter part of next week, temperatures do look to trend upward. && .MARINE... Issued at 330 AM EDT Thu Aug 28 2025 A frontal boundary will remain stalled near to just north of the local waters through Sunday before gradually sinking southward early next week. Deep moisture return, the nearby front, and some additional mid/upper level support lead to above normal rain and lightning storm chances, beginning today. As the east coast sea breeze forms each afternoon, showers and storms are forecast to drift inland. However, increasing west-northwest steering flow into the weekend will result in late afternoon/evening offshore-moving storms. Strong wind gusts, frequent lightning strikes, and torrential rainfall may accompany any organized storm. Locally higher winds and seas are possible in the vicinity of storms. Otherwise, light winds turn onshore each afternoon, veering offshore at night. Sunday into Monday, NNE winds become more established north of the Cape, as the front bisects the waters. Seas build 2-4 ft Sunday night into Monday, up to 5 ft offshore in the Gulf Stream. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFs) Issued at 125 AM EDT Thu Aug 28 2025 Stubborn convection very early this morning along portions of the ECFL coast. Will continue to gradually diminish, with otherwise generally dry conds late overnight into early Thu morning as steering flow becomes increasingly offshore. L/V winds thru the morning, transitioning onshore along the coast by early afternoon and trending inland. CAMs show a very late day/early evening sea breeze boundary collision (near KMCO) across the interior. This activity may then trend back to the coast thru the evening affecting coastal terminals mid-late evening. Should this play out may need to adjust "Vicinity" wording accordingly. Will eventually need TEMPO groups for later today/evening with expected higher coverage of activity than past day. Will add those as applicable with increasing confidence on timing. TEMPO MVFR CIGs/VSBYs invof convection, otherwise mainly VFR. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 88 74 87 74 / 60 60 70 30 MCO 92 74 91 74 / 70 50 70 30 MLB 90 75 89 75 / 60 60 70 40 VRB 91 73 91 73 / 60 60 70 50 LEE 91 74 90 75 / 70 30 60 20 SFB 91 74 89 74 / 70 60 70 30 ORL 92 75 91 75 / 70 50 70 30 FPR 91 73 91 73 / 60 60 70 50 && .MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Schaper AVIATION...Sedlock