Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
Issued by NWS Melbourne, FL
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051 FXUS62 KMLB 301718 AFDMLB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 118 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 221 AM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 - An active weather pattern will persist across East Central Florida this week as onshore flow and high moisture supports above normal rain and storm chances, including during the overnights and early mornings. Strong storms will be possible each day. - Primary storm hazards today will be gusty winds to 55 mph, with a very low chance for isolated damaging winds to around 60 mph, frequent lightning, and locally heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding of urban, low-lying, and poor drainage areas. Small hail can`t be ruled out. - Muggy conditions and seasonably hot temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s will continue to produce heat indices in the triple digits through the week. Be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning if spending prolonged time outdoors to avoid the development of heat-related illness. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 221 AM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 Today-Tonight...The center of high pressure over the CONUS gravitates towards the Central Plains, while extending across much of the South Central and Southeastern US, far enough north that weak disturbances will be able to transit Florida and the Gulf on the southern flank. At the surface, the ridge axis of the Bermuda high has set up station north of the Florida peninsula where it will remain for the rest of the week, keeping us in onshore (easterly) flow. While this regime favors quick development of the Atlantic breeze, and a sea breeze collision with it`s associated highest daily storm chances on the western side of the peninsula, abnormally high moisture (even for late August) and the disturbances aloft will support above normal/scattered to numerous showers and lightning storms through the daytime and nighttime hours. Highest chances 50-70% near the typical afternoon-evening period, though showers and storms could get going over the Atlantic waters and near the coast in the morning, which may throw off timing for the rest of the day. Forecast also calls for lingering 20-40% chances in the overnight, mainly from convection developing over the Atlantic waters moving onshore. Model soundings show an atmospheric profile somewhere between the typical Florida afternoon environment, and the long- skinny profiles favorable for heavy rainfall. Instability is a little muted compared to previous days (MUCAPE "only" 2,000-3,000 J/kg and MLCAPE 1,000-2,000 J/kg) due to the early start, high cloud cover, and mid-level temperatures on the warm side (around M6 C), but low-level lapse rates are very steep (around 8 C/km) and will support quick updraft development in the boundary layer. Some inhibition exists in the form of a bit of dry air between 700-500mb, but updrafts that are able to punch through this layer will benefit from downdraft enhancement on the way back down. DCAPE is a little lower than previous days (700-900 J/kg), but water loading may be able to make up the difference. Primary storm threats are forecast to be gusty winds 45-55 mph, with a very low (less than 2%) chance for isolated damaging winds around 60 mph, frequent cloud to ground lightning, and torrential downpours. Modest but deep E-SE steering flow should usher most storms and heavy showers along, but some may become slow/erratic where multiple boundaries interact, and produce quick, locally high rainfall amounts of 2-3" leading to minor flooding. There is a low (up to 5%) chance for amounts over 4" that could produce greater flooding impacts. The Weather Prediction Center has outlooked all of East Central Florida in a Marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall. While the environment isn`t overly favorable for hail, some small hail reports were received yesterday (Saturday), and the environment is similar enough to keep the threat. As for the rest of the forecast, seasonably hot temperatures with highs in the U80s-M90s, which combined with the high humidity, will result in peak afternoon heat indices in the U90s-M100s, and can`t rule out one or two spots touching the U100s. HeatRisk impacts remain generally Moderate, with a few pockets of Major in and around the Orlando Metro Area, and along the southern coast. Monday...Overall setup remains largely unchanged from today (Sunday), but the environment is forecast to become even more saturated. Model soundings trend closer to the long-skinny profile, resulting in a little less instability and downdraft enhancement from entrainment, but better supporting heavy rainfall. Steering flow may also break down Monday afternoon, allowing more storms to become slow/erratic and deliver quick +2" inches of rainfall that may lead to flooding. The Weather Prediction Center has again outlined all of East Central Florida in a Marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall. The very high moisture will support greater water loading, which could still produce wind gusts 40-50 mph in storms and heavy showers. Frequent lightning will remain a threat, but small hail will be increasingly unlikely. The high moisture could cause a waterspout or two to develop over the Atlantic waters or near the coast. Little change in temperatures, with highs remaining seasonably hot in the U80s-M90s. Peak afternoon heat indices increase a degree or two to the L-M100s, and there remains a low chances for a few locations to reach into the U100s. HeatRisk impacts mostly Minor to Moderate. Tuesday-Saturday...The active pattern will continue through the week as onshore flow persists in above normal moisture. The mid- upper high/ridge gradually amplifies while remaining nearly stationary, centered over the Central US. A pair of deep low pressure systems swinging across the Northeast US and Canadian Maritimes weaken the Bermuda high some, but the surface ridge axis is forecast to remain north of Florida. There is potential for a tropical wave currently near the Leeward Islands (the remnants of Dolly) to pass close to East Central Florida later in the week. The National Hurricane Center has a low (10%) of tropical development over the next 7 days, and at the moment the primary impacts would be increased rip current hazards, and delivering additional moisture. Afternoon rain chances will remain above normal, and chances will linger into the overnights. Temperatures may creep up a degree or two, and while highs will remain seasonable in the U80s-M90s, that degree or two combined with the humidity will bring peak afternoon heat indices closer to advisory criteria later in the week, though forecast HeatRisk impacts remain largely Minor to Moderate. && .MARINE... Issued at 221 AM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 Today-Thursday...Favorable winds and seas for boating, but high coverage of showers and lightning storms, especially in the afternoon and evening hours, will continue through the period. Onshore (ENE-SE) flow persists this week as the ridge axis of the Bermuda stays positioned north of Florida and the local Atlantic waters. Wind speeds 5-10 kts, ticking closer to 10 kts in the afternoons and evenings from sea breeze enhancement. High moisture will support scattered to numerous onshore moving showers and lightning storms, and a waterspout or two can`t be ruled out. Highest rain chances (50-70%) during the daytime periods, with lingering chances (40-50%) overnight. Seas 1-3 ft, periodically up to 4 ft well offshore in the Gulf Stream towards mid-week. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFs) Issued at 114 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 An early start to convection once again today, though lingering SHRA is diminishing a bit quicker from SE to NW than yesterday. Expect this to continue through the afternoon, with TEMPOs included for interior terminals through around 21-22Z. Then, drier conditions are forecast to develop, as showers and storms move into the western half of the peninsula. Can`t rule out a few showers along the Treasure Coast this evening and through around 8Z, so have included VCSH there. Stronger storms will be capable of wind gusts to around 35-40 kts. Otherwise, E winds remain around 10 kts or less through the period. Monday looks to begin the week with a more typical sea breeze pattern under a dominant onshore flow. TS begins along the sea breeze near coastal terminals around 18Z, then transitions inland through the afternoon, with somewhat less lingering SHRA. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 76 89 76 89 / 10 40 30 60 MCO 76 92 76 92 / 20 70 20 70 MLB 77 90 77 90 / 30 50 50 70 VRB 76 90 76 90 / 50 50 50 70 LEE 76 92 75 90 / 20 70 20 70 SFB 76 91 76 91 / 10 60 30 70 ORL 77 92 76 91 / 10 70 30 70 FPR 76 89 76 90 / 50 60 50 70 && .MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Haley AVIATION...Wishard