067 FXUS62 KMLB 062355 AFDMLBArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 755 PM EDT Sat Sep 6 2025
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 208 PM EDT Sat Sep 6 2025
- High rain and storm chances will continue each day through at least the middle of next week.
- There is a low threat for locally heavy rain and minor flooding through at least the middle of next week as multiple rounds of showers and storms are forecast.
- Peak heat index values reach 100 to 105 this weekend, before temperatures trend near to below normal next week.
&&
.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION... Issued at 208 PM EDT Sat Sep 6 2025
-----------Synoptic Overview-----------
Transient ridging has bridged over the state on this Saturday afternoon. Courtesy of yet another strong shortwave diving through the jet stream north of Florida, the persistent trough over the Great Lakes has been reinvigorated. While the heart of the longwave trough stays well north of here, ensemble members lend it enough energy to produce another break in the ridge over the Deep South and Florida from Sunday through the middle of next week.
The mid-level trough to our north is sending another cold front into the Southeast U.S. this weekend. It will lose its baroclinic definition as it reaches Florida and likely becomes stationary. With the axis of an upper-air weakness holding just west of Florida, the state should yet again be placed within the right entrance region of the H2 jet from Monday through at least Thursday. With broad diffluence contributing to ascent, there is still a cluster of members that form an area of low pressure by Tuesday or Wednesday somewhere near Central Florida. Regardless, the proximity of the front, lift, and anomalously high total moisture over the peninsula should extend this stretch of unsettled weather for several more days.
While confidence is extremely low, EPS members amplify the trough over the Southeast U.S. by late next week in response to unyielding positive height anomalies over Canada. If this occurs, drier air has at least a low chance of reaching the district by next Friday or Saturday. We call it a low chance, for now, as the GEFS/GEPS means are not as bullish on such a pattern change. If it can get here, any drier air would likely be temporary as the MJO still looks to become favorable for ascent and corresponding negative pressure anomalies in the W Caribbean and Gulf between Sep 15-20.
-----Short-Term Mesoscale Features-----
Mesoanalysis finds a weak surface trough extending roughly from Tampa to Melbourne, juxtaposed with total moisture (PW) values greater than 2" south of Interstate 4. The morning sounding from XMR (06/15Z) measured a PW of 2.2", warm cloud depths to ~ 15 KFT, moderate instability, and an unusually-low convective temp of 86 deg F. We also have a pair of modest shortwaves to monitor, one of which is approaching Florida from the Eastern Gulf, with the other over Louisiana.
On Sunday, weak positive vorticity advection continues from the slow-moving shortwave currently in the Gulf. More of the area should be influenced by light southwest flow as the front remains over the northern portions of Central Florida. A sea breeze from the Atlantic will try to force its way inland, but will likely struggle to do so, focusing convergence over the eastern half of the peninsula. Moisture values should remain unusually high.
-------Sensible Weather & Impacts-------
Now - Tonight...
Much of the district has seen substantial insolation, causing scattered rain and storms to blossom pretty early today. Eventually, storms should try to concentrate from Leesburg to Orlando to near Okeechobee by early evening, with some of this likely to linger past sunset. Inherited storm chances look good with only minor tweaks, from 60% at Daytona Beach to 70-80% elsewhere. Gusty winds to 40-45 mph and occasional/frequent lightning can be anticipated in the strongest storms. Rain chances diminish to less than 30% overnight.
Still think the highest potential for localized flooding today will reside from Greater Orlando southward over areas west of I-95. While not widespread, HREF/REFS members indicate a 5-10% chance of receiving 3-5" of excessive rainfall. The prototype WPC Urban Rain Rate Dashboard for Greater Orlando shows a 45% (25%) chance of a 2 (5) year ARI event somewhere in the urban corridor. A 5-year ARI event often produces minor flooding, especially over suburban/urban landscapes.
Peak heat indices this afternoon will be uncomfortable in the 100- 105 deg F range.
Sunday...
More unsettled weather with high rain and storm chances (70-80%) by afternoon and evening. As described in the mesoscale features, we anticipate the focus of rain and storms to be displaced a bit east of today and firmly over the eastern half of the peninsula. The primary hazards remain locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds to around 40-45 mph, and deadly lightning. Storm motions may be hastened just a bit compared to today, but HREF/REFS members show a 10% chance of 3" rainfall tallies, which could cause minor flooding. Peak heat indices should top out around 100 degrees.
Next Week...
High moisture, the nearby front, and potential weak low pressure formation combine to yield a rinse-and-repeat forecast through at least Thursday. Numerous showers and storms (60-80%) are forecast each day, with even some activity lingering into the night along the coast. If an area of low pressure forms, winds may become breezy to gusty north of the feature, which would deteriorate beach conditions. There is still much uncertainty, except to say that the rain gear will need to be handy. Daily storm chances range from 60- 80% Mon-Thu. Excessive rainfall leading to minor flooding will continue to be a concern, particularly if the heaviest storms keep occurring over the same locales.
Confidence falls quickly from next Friday and beyond as members diverge on the upper-air pattern. This requires a continuation of scattered showers and storms in the forecast until the details become clearer. Statistical guidance shows brisk onshore winds north of Cape Canaveral late next week.
Highs in the mid 80s to around 90 deg F are forecast, likely averaging out a bit below normal due to showers and cloud cover.
&&
.MARINE...
Rounds of showers and storms are likely for the next several days, with the potential for a few gusty offshore-moving storms, especially on Sunday. A stationary front sits atop the local Atlantic this weekend, and is forecast to be reinforced by a secondary front arriving from the north early in the week. Prevailing winds and seas remain favorable, however, outside of storms.
Seas up to 3 FT through Monday, building to 2-4 FT on Tuesday - Wednesday, except up to 5 FT in the Gulf Stream. Winds south of the front will be S/SE up to 12 KT, turning E/NE north of Cape Canaveral. Will monitor a potential freshening of onshore winds over our northern local waters early next week, particularly if an area of low pressure can form on the stationary front.
&&
.AVIATION... (00Z TAFs) Issued at 724 PM EDT Sat Sep 6 2025
Convection is winding down this evening, with scattered showers and lightning storms lingering mainly across the interior from the Orlando Metro area northward. Have VCSH through 03Z for all terminals. Mostly dry conditions are expected overnight. Winds will be light tonight, from the south, before becoming southwest by mid morning and remaining 10 KT or less. The east coast sea breeze is forecast to form in the afternoon, turning the winds onshore. Another active day is forecast Sunday, with activity initially forming along the coast as the sea breeze forms in the afternoon. Activity will then focus across the interior (generally west of I-95) into the mid afternoon where boundary interactions will occur. Have included VCTS starting along the coast at 18Z and across the interior at 20Z. Any lingering activity is forecast to dissipate or move out of the area by around 03Z with winds becoming light and variable.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 75 88 74 86 / 30 80 60 80 MCO 74 92 75 89 / 60 70 60 80 MLB 76 89 74 88 / 30 80 70 80 VRB 74 90 73 89 / 40 80 70 80 LEE 75 89 74 86 / 60 70 60 70 SFB 76 90 74 87 / 40 80 60 80 ORL 76 90 75 88 / 60 70 60 80 FPR 73 90 71 89 / 40 80 60 80
&&
.MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. &&
$$
DISCUSSION...Heil AVIATION...Watson
NWS MLB Office Area Forecast Discussion