Breakfast Brief: Florida floods, stormy Midwest

Florida continues to face heavy rains and flooding, while the East is in the midst of a warming trend that will bring back summer heat. The West is a tale of two, with the Pacific Northwest staying cool and rainy and the Southwest enduring dangerously hot conditions.

Not much will change across the Florida Peninsula on Wednesday as deep tropical moisture continues to spark showers and isolated thunderstorms. South Florida is expected to bear the brunt of the rain, particularly southwest Florida, where localized amounts over a foot are possible. Cities like Naples, Fort Lauderdale, Venice, and Vero Beach are on track to see their wettest June on record.

The Northeast will experience cooler temperatures with intermittent showers, but a gradual warming trend will bring temperatures back into the 80s and lower 90s in places like Washington D.C. and Philadelphia by the weekend. Across the Midwest, scattered severe thunderstorms capable of large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes will be possible, with Minnesota and northern Iowa being the focus areas for dangerous storms.

Across the West, the weather will vary significantly by region. The Pacific Northwest will enjoy mostly clear skies with slightly below-normal temperatures. Meanwhile, the Southwest will continue to experience unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures soaring in desert lowland areas. California will see mostly clear skies with mild coastal temperatures, though inland areas will be much hotter during the day, with temperatures reaching the 100-degree mark.

The downpours affecting Florida this week are associated with deep tropical moisture emanating from the western Caribbean. Over the next day or two, an area of low pressure will move over Florida and migrate over the peninsula, with a low chance of development into a tropical cyclone. There is a 20% chance of development over the next day. The main impacts of this system continue to be heavy, widespread rain, bringing an increased threat of flash flooding. There is another area that has a low chance of developing over the western Gulf of Mexico within the next 7 days.

Did you know you can receive notifications for incoming tropical systems? Our storm alert feature keeps you informed about dangerous winds, heavy rain, or storm surge in your area. Simply turn on your alerts to stay updated. Find out how here.