SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The region is experiencing pleasant conditions with low humidity and breezy northwest winds, but summer weather patterns are set to return this weekend.
Saturday will serve as a transition day for moisture content in the atmosphere. Late Saturday, winds will shift to a southeasterly direction, especially inland, bringing humidity levels back up.
Air quality concerns
Sarasota County air quality officials issued an advisory indicating conditions are on the border of moderate and unhealthy for some people due to ozone on Friday. The situation is normal when high pressure builds in and the atmosphere doesn’t mix, with air moving out into the Gulf before the sun changes the air to high concentrations of ozone and the sea breeze brings it back into the mainland.
Storm pattern returns
Summer afternoon storms are making a return for the first time since Sept. of last year. Scattered showers are expected inland only on Saturday, with most coastal areas remaining dry. Inland areas should see clear conditions until 4 or 5 p.m.
Sunday’s forecast calls for showers and storms developing along the sea breeze front, which will be close to the coast. Southeast winds will blow storms back toward the coast, causing them to expand. Some storms could contain heavy rainfall and dangerous lightning. One or two storms could turn strong with winds up to 40 to 50 miles per hour…