Good morning! I'm tracking two systems now, one a powerful upper level system to our south and another a weakening cold front well to our north. Here is how things set up for today.
Early this afternoon, an upper level disturbance (an area of twisting wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere) is located over the SE Gulf and is producing quite a bit of heavy rain over the Florida Straits. This system will head to the east, taking its rain and clouds with it. It will effect your weather in Collier, though, today, with additional cloud cover mainly south of the Caloosahatchee River. This will not stop temps from getting well into the 70's to near 80 today though!
Right now, there is an area of heavy rain and storms in the Panhandle but this line of rain basically falls apart once it hits the Gulf. The reason for this is the upper level energy driving the front is headed toward the Mid Atlantic and Northeast (this is what eventually will bring a major winter storm to interior New England later this week). So, as the front comes south it falls apart... keeping most of its rain across the northern half of Florida and on the east coast. We'll see a few showers north of the Caloosahatchee later today and tonight.. but most places should see less than .25" of rain (perhaps only a tenth!).
I'm watching a second, much stronger cold front that will get here on Wednesday with some rain.. and much colder temps (mid 60's) for Thursday & Friday. See you on 6 TV in a few minutes and WINK @ noon!
Brian
