Record temperatures could be set again today, as well as the latest news on the tropics

Climate prediction:
Yesterday marked the second day of record heat in Fort Myers. The temperature in Fort Myers reached 96 degrees, breaking the previous record of 94 degrees set in 2010. Naples and Punta Gorda recorded 93 degrees and 95 degrees, respectively, above the average of 90 degrees but not quite in the standard zone at reporting sites That. Today we expect the temperature to reach 95 degrees, which will match the record set in 1991.

We’ll start your day in the mid to upper 70s with mostly clear skies. This afternoon we will see lots of sunshine with only a 30% chance of rain or an isolated storm. The chance of rain and scattered storms will continue tomorrow with highs in the mid 90s.

Rain chances will start to increase on Friday into next weekend when we could see a 60-70% chance of showers and storms. Rain is much needed as we are 14.55 inches behind on the year in Fort Myers and 9.00 inches behind in Punta Gorda.

Tropical regions
There are three regions we see in the tropics. However, none of them pose a threat to us in Southwest Florida.

Hurricane Lee:
Hurricane Lee remains a Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 115 mph. Some slow weakening is expected over the next 48 hours although the wind field will remain large. It is currently moving northwest at 6 mph and will eventually turn northward midweek.

Lee is a very big hurricane. Hurricane winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 240 miles.

Rough surf and dangerous beach conditions will affect the entire Atlantic coast during the week.

It could bring strong winds, rain and high surf impacts to Bermuda later this week. There is a tropical storm watch in effect there.

It is still too early to know what level of additional impacts Lee may have along the northeastern coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada late this week and this weekend. However, wind and rain risks will likely extend away from the center as Lee grows in size. Users should continue to monitor updates to Lee’s forecast over the next few days.

Hurricane Margo:
Margot is the fifth hurricane of the season and continues to move northward into the central Atlantic. This storm will not threaten land during its time in the mid-Atlantic.

WFTX

Other areas to watch:

A broad area of low pressure over the eastern tropical Atlantic continues to produce some disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is expected over the next few days while the system moves west-northwestward to northwestward at 10 to 15 mph, and a tropical depression is likely to form by this weekend over the central tropical Atlantic.
Formation chance through 48 hours is medium at 40 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days is high at 80 percent

Fox 4 Morning Meteorologist Trent Arrick

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