A few showers over the area this evening. More sun on the way by the weekend.

Another round of rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours. You could see rain in the morning as well as in the afternoon on your Friday. By Sunday and 4th of July Monday we are expecting to see a more typical summertime pattern. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected by then. We are doing well on rain now. Page field in Fort Myers broke a one day rainfall record, 4.22" on Thursday. That broke the record of 3.00" set in 1909. That brings our rainfall totals for the month up to 10.00", the normal amount is 9.77". For the year we have gotten 21.99" and the normal is 21.93". back to normal now.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Record Rainfall Soaks Ft. Myers

4.22" of rain fell on Wednesday at Page Field in Fort Myers, breaking the former record of 3" set in 1909. Thursday will bring another good chance for scattered showers and storms that could produce heavy rainfall yet again. And keep that umbrella handy through the weekend! Scattered morning and afternoon storms are expected through Saturday, and afternoon storms are expected through your July 4th.

-KW

Arlene Making Landfall in Mexico

The first named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Arlene, is currently making landfall near Cabo Rojo along the central coast of Mexico. Arlene is a strong tropical storm with winds of 65 mph. Arlene is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rainfall with local amounts of 15 inches possible over portions of eastern Mexico.

-Lauren

WET !

Abundant tropical moisture continues to fuel clouds, showers and downpours. Look for more sunshine this weekend. - Jim

Tropical Storm Arlene

Tropical Storm Arlene has formen in the SW Gulf of Mexico and will be moving toward Mexico. - Jim

Soggy

It will be another wet day accross most of the area. Abundant tropical moisture is nearby so it looks like more clouds than sun today. Speaking of tropical, the disturbance in the SW Gulf will be moving westward, away from SW Florida.

Jim

Scattered rain & storms moving north today. Expect this to be hanging around for the rest of the evening.

A wetter pattern is in place for the next several days. A few showers could pop up early in the morning, most of the rain and storms will be in the afternoon and evening. We are also watching tropical mosture to our southwest over the southern Gulf of Mexico. This system is moving to the northwest and is not expected to develop. The high and mid level clouds will be streaming overhead for the next three days because of this disturbance. You will notice more clouds than sun for the next few days along with the rain. Slightly drier weather by the end of the week.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Bring On the Rain!

Scattered storms will again be our focus this afternoon. Accumulation yesterday ranged from 2-4" in Moore Haven and up to 2" in Fort Myers, and a moist atmosphere is conducive for decent rainfall amounts yet again today. The best chance for storms will be father inland towards Hendry and Glades counties this afternoon shifting westward to the Lee and Collier county coastline this evening.

-KW

The Rainy Season has Arrived!

Coastal showers will be around throughout the morning hours, with moderate to heavy rainfall and frequent lightning. We are in store for another hot and humid day across Southwest Florida with highs topping out near 90 degrees on the coast to the mid 90s inland. Another round of scattered storms is in the forecast throughout the afternoon and evening hours, with the primary threats being heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and wind gusts up to 50 mph in the stronger storms. Now that the rainy season is upon us, scattered storms are in the forecast through the remainder of the weekend with daytime highs in the low 90s.
-KM

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for Lee and Charlotte counties until 5:45 pm. Wind gusts in excess of 60 mph possible.

A wind gust to 61 mph was recorded at Lehigh Acres Middle School and a 50 mph wind gust was reported at RSW International Airport in association with this storm.

Another Round of Storms Today

It's a dry start to our Thursday morning, after soaking rains moved in across Southwest Florida yesterday afternoon. A few showers continue to develop this morning just a few miles off shore and are drifting to the northwest. Increasing clouds with another round of scattered storms are in the forecast today with temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Just like yesterday, some of these storms will have the potential to become strong with gusty winds of 45 to 55 mph, frequent lightning, heavy downpours, and small hail. Don't forget the umbrella!
-KM

Increasing Rain Chances

It's a warm and steamy start to our Wednesday morning! Temperatures are near the 80° mark this morning, with a heat index of 92° already being recorded in Cape Coral. We'll start off with a mostly sunny sky, with increasing clouds throughout the afternoon hours. The heat and humidity combined with the seabreeze this afternoon will trigger a few more showers & storms this afternoon with the best coverage across our inland communities before drifting back towards our coastal areas during the evening hours. Moisture will continue to increase on Thursday with scattered storms in the forecast through early next week.
-KM

Strong Thunderstorms Impacting Lee & Charlotte Counties...

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS AFFECTING NORTHWESTERN LEE AND CENTRAL
CHARLOTTE COUNTIES...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES THUNDERSTORMS
LOCATED NEAR SUNCOAST ESTATES...OR 11 MILES NORTH OF FORT MYERS...
MOVING NORTHWEST AT 15 MPH...WILL AFFECT SUNCOAST ESTATES...NORTH
FORT MYERS...PUNTA GORDA AND CLEVELAND...UNTIL 815 PM EDT.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 75 BETWEEN EXITS 143 AND 170.

GUSTY WINDS 35 TO 45 MPH WILL OCCUR. FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS EXPECTED.
TO BE SAFE GO INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE...FIND A LOW
SPOT...AND STAY AWAY FROM TALL OBJECTS. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY
RAIN...SLOW DOWN. ALWAYS LEAVE A SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER
VEHICLES.

Summer Begins Today!

Summer begins today at 1:16pm, but it seems like it arrived earlier across Southwest Florida as we have seen temperaturs running consistently in the mid 90s for the last month. In fact, our last 80 degree day was recorded on May 23rd, with a high of 88 degrees at Page Field. A sunny sky this morning will turn partly cloudy this afternoon with isolated showers/thunderstorms developing on the breeze. Not expecting a whole lot in terms of coverage this afternoon, but the storms that due develop could become strong, packing winds near 50 mph and smail hail. Tropical moisture will will be the move late in the week, which means a wetter pattern through the weekend with temperatures near normal.
-KM

Strong Thunderstorm Impacting Lee County

STRONG THUNDERSTORMS AFFECTING CENTRAL LEE COUNTY...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES A THUNDERSTORM
LOCATED NEAR MORSE SHORES...OR NEAR FORT MYERS...MOVING NORTHWEST AT
5 MPH...WILL AFFECT TICE...SUNCOAST ESTATES...PAGE PARK-PINE MANOR
AND NORTH FORT MYERS...UNTIL 700 PM EDT.

GUSTY WINDS 35 TO 45 MPH WILL OCCUR. FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS EXPECTED.
TO BE SAFE GO INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE...FIND A LOW
SPOT...AND STAY AWAY FROM TALL OBJECTS. THIS STORM WILL PRODUCE PEA
SIZE HAIL. TORRENTIAL RAINS WILL REDUCE VISIBILITY TO NEAR ZERO AND
WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS.

All is Quiet...

It's a quiet start to our Monday morning, after a stormy end on Sunday. Inland areas did receive some beneficial rains with La Belle picking up 1/2" of rain and Moore Haven recording just over an inch. High pressure is still in control of our weather today, with the only shot at seeing any rain forming along the seabreeze this afternoon. Highs today will top out near 94° with heat indices near the century mark! Moisture will be on the move by the end of the week with a mix of clouds and sun with scattered storms through the weekend.
-KM

Much Needed Rain for Some

Father's Day ended on a rather rumbly note for communities in Highlands, Glades, and Hendry counties. While it stayed mostly dry along the coast, Fort Myers Page Airport picked up some much needed rainfall. While rain chances lessen for the beginning of the work week, isolated storms each afternoon remain in the forecast.

-KW

Father's Day Forecast

The best chance for scattered storm activity will again be farther inland this afternoon, but a stray shower can't be ruled out along the coast this morning. The first day of summer is Tuesday, June 21st, and the heat is on! Appropriately, temperatures will remain warmer than normal with dewpoints in the mid 70s Tuesday through next weekend. Simply put, it's going to be hot!

-KW

The radar is quiet, after some strong and severe storms impacted SWFL...

Large hail of one inch in diameter was reported in Muse in Glades County this evening! The severe thunderstorm also produced .50 inch sized hail in La Belle with strong wind downing trees around the campus of Edison State Community College in La Belle. After this evening's active weather...Skytracker Doppler HD is mainly quiet with just a few light showers near Everglades City. Overnight, look for a clearing sky and lows dipping into the low to mid 70's.

Wet weather is in our Father's Day weekend forecast with scattered thunderstorms developing tomorrow afternoon and evening, and a shift in the steering wind may bring a few showers in along the coast Sunday morning along with scattered rain and storms expected in the afternoon and evening.

Have a great weekend!
Lauren

A Humid Start

This morning we are waking up to more humid conditions along with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. By this afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 80s along the coast, to the mid 90s across our inland locations. With high pressure still in control, only isolated storms are in the forecast to develop on the breeze. Inland communties will have the best chance to see shower/storm activity with a few of those storms working there way back west to coastal areas throughout the evening. With some tropical moisture movng in for the weekend, scattered storms are possible through Sunday, with a bit of a drier pattern setting up by early next week.
-KM

Radar is clear right now, but we still have a chance of a storm in the forecast. The weekend is looking wetter!

A shift in the surface wind to an easterly direction has allowed less humid to build into SWFL making for a much more comfortable day! Humidity levels will remain on the lower side through the evening hours...so get out there and enjoy an after-work stroll! Do keep an eye to the sky though as a few showers and an isolated thunderstorm are still possible through the first part of tonight.

Just isolated storms in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon but expect increased rain chances for the upcoming weekend as tropical moisture is set to build in.

Have a great night!
Lauren

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RUSKIN HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
 SOUTHWESTERN DESOTO COUNTY IN FLORIDA.
 EASTERN CHARLOTTE COUNTY IN FLORIDA.

* UNTIL 630 PM EDT

 THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND
 DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
 FORT OGDEN.
 BABCOCK RANCH.
 CLEVELAND.
 PUNTA GORDA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS
INJURY AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR ALL OF SWFL.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for all of SWFL until 8:00pm this evening. The main threats will include frequent lightning, heavy rain, small hail and gusty winds. Tune into WINK News Live at 4pm for the current storm activity tracked on Skytracker Doppler HD.

Hot & Humid!

It was another warm and humid start to our Wednesday. The offical low at Page Field was 78°. Just to north of us, record "high minimums" were set this morning in Tampa (83°), St. Pete (82°), and Sarasota (81°). A mostly sunny sky this morning, will turn to partly cloudy this afternoon with the chance for isolated showers & storms across our inland communities. However, some of these storms may migrate their way closer to the I75 corridor and coastal locations throughout the evening hours. Highs today will climb into the upper 80s along the coast, with mid 90s across our interior locations with heat indices near the century mark. If you are outdoors in the heat today, make sure to keep yourself hydrated and wear loose fitting/light colored clothing. A few storms are in the forecast through the end of the work week with daytime highs remaining in the low to mid 90s.
-KM

It's Hot and Humid, and We Need Rain!

Clewiston and Moore Haven were lucky enough to get a little rain Monday, and our inland communities in Glades and Hendry counties will again be the best locations to receive rainfall today. Coastal communities, however, will remain mainly dry through the next couple days. The drought continues, and Fort Myers is currently 3.93" in rainfall deficit.
-KW

Dry Start to June

So far for the month of June, the rain gauge at Page Field in Ft. Myers has picked up only a measly .07" of rain! The average rainfall at this point in the month should be at 3.49". In Naples, the rainfall deficit is even more severe running at 10.34" below the average! And unfortunately, conditions look to remain dry for much of the work week with only isolated rain chances through Friday.

 

Minus the significant rain chances, temperatures will stay HOT with highs in the low to mid 90s in town to upper 90s inland through the rest of the week!

 

Stay cool!

Lauren

The Heat Rolls On...

It's been a quiet start to our Monday morning, with mostly sunny skies and a few showers developing just off the coastline. As we progress through the afternoon, expect partly cloudy conditions with the chance for isolated storms concentrated across our inland communities. This means more sunshine and mainly dry conditions at the beaches today. Daytime highs will climb into the mid 90s across interior Southwest Florida, while an onshore breeze at 10-15 mph keeps the coast and beaches in the upper 80s. Onshore flow will continue, which will keep the humidity high with heat index values near the century mark. This pattern will also keep the best rain chances focused east of I75 and around Lake O.
-KM

Relief for Some but Not for All

Sunday PM's rainfall helped out a few communities but not all. Lehigh Acres for example reported 4" of accumulation! Here at WINK, less than a tenth in the gauge. Monday will be hot, humid but again, the chance for relief is in the forecast; isolated showers and storms this afternoon, especially inland, are possible.
-KW

Not a Single Drop of Rain!

It was another hot day across Southwest Florida, with very little to no rain to cool us off. Tonight will feature partly cloudy to clear skies with overnight lows near 70° inland to mid 70s along the coast. A coastal shower throughout the morning hours is not out of the question, however most of the showers and storms will be concentrated across our inland communities tomorrow afternoon as highs climb into mid 90s. Coastal locations will be slightly cooler in the mid to upper 80s. Heading into the work week, rain chances will decrease a bit with isolated storms on Monday primarily across our inland locations.
-KM

Moisture on the move

Clouds and rain in the Caribbean are moving northward towards the Bahamas. SW Florida will get an injection of moisture late tomorrow and Saturday, featuring more clouds and a few rain areas. - Jim

A Humid Start...

A weak area of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is helping to filter in some moisture with mid and high level clouds spreading across much of Southwest Florida this morning. This will help to keep afternoon highs just a few degrees cooler this afternoon. A couple of light showers moved northward through Marco Island this morning, but the majority of us should stay dry through the mid day hours. Easterly winds will remain in the forecast today, with the chance of a few isolated storms this afternoon along the breeze.
-KM

Still Dry

Other than an isolated shower or thunderstorm today and tomorrow, it looks pretty dry. I don't see a hint of the rainy season yet. The tropical disturbance in the Caribbean is pushing up daisys today, not a candidate to develop. - jim

Isolated PM Storms this Afternoon...

It's been quite some time since we've had any measurable rain here in Southwest Florida. Not only has it been dry, but temperatures have been hot in the mid 90s. Plenty of sunshine will continue into the mid day hours today with a slight chance of few isolated storms concentrated closer to the coast by late this afternoon. Cloud cover and humidity will be on the increase over the next couple of days as tropical moisture associated with a weak tropical disturbance to our south starts to drift northward. With this moisture in place and daytime heating, this will increase our rainfall chances by the end of the week and into the weekend. Keep that umbrella handy!
-KM

Not Yet

Little change today. Recon cancelled. Development will be difficult but not impossible. Moisture should drift northward towards SW Florida enhancing our chance of rain later this week. - Jim

Tropics

The tropical disturbance that we've been talking about is going to be around all week. It even looks like some of the moisture will be moving toward SW Florida later this week. I am still expecting a boost to the afternoon and evening rain pattern this week, too. - Jim

Naples Shatters their Record High for the 6th Time this Week!

It was another record breaking day across Collier County! Naples Municipal Airport recorded a temperature of 97° just after 3pm this afternoon. This shattered the old record of 93° set back in 1981. A ridge of high pressure, which has dominated our weather over the last several days will continue to do so as we head into Sunday. This means the mostly sunny, dry, hot and breezy conditions stick around. By next week, the moderate easterly breeze we've been used to over the last few days should begin to weaken, and with more moisture creeping back in, that will lead to a better chance of afternoon showers and storms. In the meantime, play it safe in the sun & heat - keep hydrated and slather on plenty of sunscreen if you're hitting the pool or local beaches!
-KM

Dry

Severe drought conditions continue. I don't see any significant rain through Monday. With some luck, showers and thunderstorms will return Tuesday through Friday of next week. - Jim

More of the Same...

A strong high pressure system will continue to keep our weather pattern hot and dry through Friday afternoon. An easterly wind will continue to pick up throughout the daytime nearing 15 mph, preventing any chance of a gulf breeze developing or any showers/storms for that matter. Highs today will be in the low 90s along the coast with mid 90s across our inland communities. As we head into the weekend...more of the same! Hot, dry, and a breeze! Moisture will be on the increase by early next week with a better chance for precipitation by Tuesday.
Have a great weekend!
-KM

Bone Dry in Collier!

Naples experienced the driest October to May period on record as the city received only 6.70 inches of rain between October 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011! This beats the old record of 6.90 inches set back in 1971 and is 12.88 inches below normal rainfall for the period. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of coastal Collier County is experiencing 'severe' drought conditions with much of inland Collier under 'exceptional' drought conditions. The persistent dry conditions can be attributed to strong high pressure which remained in place across the South often blocking approaching cold fronts from passage through the peninsula. This pattern is typically observed during a spring La Nina phase.

The next several days will feature very minimal rain chances, not until next Tuesday will a more significant rain chance return to the forecast.

Lauren

Hot & Dry

Hot and dry conditions are in store for this afternoon, with minimal rain chances. It is possible for a stray shower along the coast, but that's it! A stable pattern will continue across Southwest Florida as high pressure continues to build in for the weekend with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Humidity will start to creep back in by early next week with isolated afternoon storms by mid week.
-KM

Cloudy North Part

The 2011 Hurricane Season hs begun. We are watching 2 disturbances, one crossing Florida and entering the Gulf of Mexico and another in the Carribean Sea. I don't expect either to be an issue for SW Florida through the weekend, if at all. Otherwise look for clouds and some rain northern counties this evening followed by partly cloudy, warm weather with an isolated rain area tomorrow through the weekend. - jim

Colorado State Issues Updated Forecast for 2011 Hurricane Season

Colorado State University has issued its updated 2011 Hurricane outlook this morning. Dr. Gray & Dr. Klotzbach and their team of forecasters are still prediciting an active season...

Named Storms - 16

Hurricanes - 9

Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) - 5

A number of factors playing into the upcoming active season: La Nina now weakening into a neutral ENSO pattern and favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the Atlantic Basin. Also, sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic will be warmer than average.
-KM

That Boom Was Loud!

Car alarms sounded, dogs barked, and many were jolted out of sleep by a BOOM very early this morning! At just nearly 2:30 this morning, The Space Shuttle Endeavour passed directly overhead of SWFL with many of us hearing the resulting sonic BOOM quite loudly. Some hearing two separate and distinct booms. Booms were reported from Punta Gorda down to Marco Island and out to Muse! Thanks to our viewers that took the time very early this morning to e-mail WINK your observations!

Have a great day!
Lauren