Peace River Levels Stay High as Sarasota Residents Face More Rain
Runoff from Monday's heavy rainfall keeps flooding a threat in DeSoto County through Thursday, while a cold front promises drier weather by the weekend.
By Elena Menon ·
Residents along the Peace River in DeSoto County should expect continued flooding through Thursday afternoon. The water levels remain elevated because runoff from the more than 10 inches of rain that fell on Monday is still moving into the river system. Local forecasters identify this area as the primary zone for river flooding concerns until the water recedes.
Rain and storms will likely interrupt the daily routine for the next two days. Wednesday brings a 40 percent chance of afternoon storms, with the most activity expected between 3 and 4 p.m. Temperatures will reach a high of 86 degrees. Humidity will make the air feel warmer than the thermometer reads. Thursday will follow a similar pattern with scattered showers and storms possible in the afternoon before the weather dries out.
The weather pattern changes for the better starting Saturday. A weak cold front moves through the region on Saturday night, bringing drier air. Conditions will resemble the comfortable weather seen a couple of weeks ago. Saturday's high temperature will not drop much, but Sunday's low will fall considerably, marking a clear shift in the atmosphere.
A stronger front is set to arrive next Tuesday. This system may bring another round of cooler and drier air to the area.
Boaters and beachgoers can expect favorable conditions despite the rain forecast. Water temperatures have cooled to 77 degrees, though the air near the surface reaches 84 degrees. East winds will blow at 10 to 15 knots, slowing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas should run about 2 feet offshore with moderate chop. Sunset is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., and sunrise is at 6:41 a.m.
Tropical activity remains quiet in the Atlantic. A system moving east has a 40 percent chance of developing over the next seven days, but it poses no threat to the United States. The Caribbean remains calm with no tropical activity expected. The next available storm names are Kyle and Leah, though the season is expected to wind down soon.
Source: WWSB
