SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – High pressure is drifting south and establishing a more southwesterly wind flow for the Suncoast. A few morning showers will be possible over the next few days, as this shift in our weather pattern changes the timing of our typically afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Normally, storms develop over interior regions, drift toward the Gulf waters, and then dissipate. Now, we will see a chance for a few storms in the morning and early afternoon, followed by the bulk of the rain drifting into inland areas of Hardee and DeSoto counties.
The upper-level low that helped bring stronger storms to the area earlier in the week is now weakening and filling to the north. However, it leaves behind some slightly cooler air that will help support shower and thunderstorm development. So, even though the pattern is changing, our rain chances remain good. Just expect morning and early afternoon rain chances to be higher than those in the late afternoon and evening.
Another change associated with the southwest wind will be slightly cooler afternoon temperatures—perhaps highs around 88 degrees on some days. That’s a contrast to the 92–93 degree days we experienced earlier in the week with a southeast wind. However, this will come at a price: with winds out of the southwest, afternoon humidity levels will be higher…