textproduct: Melbourne

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 230 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026

- A high risk of rip currents continues at all central Florida Atlantic beaches today. Entering the surf is strongly discouraged!

- Isolated showers this afternoon, with drier conditions for Friday.

- Windy conditions and increased rain chances arrive this weekend in association with a cold front. Hazardous beach and boating conditions are likely to last into early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 230 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Rest of Today-Friday...High pressure prevails through Friday, as an Atlantic ridge axis remains draped over the local area. A few showers fight to survive drier air and subsidence aloft this afternoon as they develop along the sea breeze. This activity is forecast to continue into the evening, before moving into the western half of the peninsula. Most places will remain dry, with peak PoPs over land 20% or less. Friday, PoPs remain under 15% area-wide. Onshore flow increases to 10 mph along the coast through Friday afternoon as the sea breeze develops, with light and variable flow overnight. Patchy fog will once again be possible tonight into early Friday morning, especially along and north of I-4. Highs in the lower 80s today warm into the mid to upper 80s west of I-95 tomorrow afternoon, while onshore flow keeps coastal areas in the lower 80s.

Saturday-Sunday...High pressure builds eastward into the Mid- Atlantic this weekend, pushing a cold front through the Florida peninsula on Saturday. While quick moving early in the period, the front will then slow, lingering near south Florida on Sunday. Mostly dry conditions prevail through early Saturday afternoon, before a ribbon of moisture increases PWATs from 1.2-1.3" to 1.4-1.5". This, combined with support near and along the front, with bring an increase in showers and embedded storms Saturday afternoon into Sunday. PoPs 30- 60% will begin along the Volusia County coast, with the highest chances spreading southward into Sunday with the front. While coastal areas will see the most activity, showers are forecast to drift inland, especially during the afternoons. Warm temperatures on Saturday, with highs in the mid to upper 80s over the interior south of Orlando. Then, highs cool to the mid-70s Sunday.

The main story with the frontal passage will be the winds. North- northwesterly winds are forecast to be initially mild early Saturday. Then, winds rapidly increase with the front as they veer north-northeasterly. Widespread winds 15-20 mph, with gusts 20-30 mph, with make for a windy afternoon. It will be especially windy along the coast from Brevard County northward, where gusts to around 40 mph are forecast. A Wind Advisory may need to be considered. Regardless, beach and boating conditions will become hazardous this weekend, with a high risk of life-threatening rip currents and very rough surf. Residents and visitors should remain out of the water.

Monday-Thursday...High pressure returns early next week, as winds slowly subside. However, onshore flow is forecast to remain near 10-15 mph through mid-week. Isolated to scattered showers and a few storms will also remain possible, especially over the interior south of Orlando. High temperatures warm once again from the lower 80s Monday to the mid-80s Thursday.

MARINE

Issued at 230 PM EDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Generally favorable boating conditions will persist into early Saturday morning. Then, a strong cold front will lead to rapidly deteriorating conditions into Saturday afternoon. Near gale-force winds with frequent gusts to gale force will develop southward into Sunday morning. A Gale Watch has been issued for the waters north of Sebastian Inlet and will likely need to be expanded southward. Northeasterly winds will build seas up to 11-15 ft (highest in the Gulf Stream). Winds slacken to around 20-25 kts Sunday as they veer onshore, though winds 15-20 kts look to persist into early next week. Seas will also be slow to subside, remaining up to 7 ft into Tuesday. Thus, hazardous to dangerous conditions are forecast to linger. Drier conditions into Friday, before the return of scattered showers and embedded storms this weekend.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFs) Issued at 101 AM EDT Fri Mar 27 2026

Generally VFR, but will have to monitor for some early morning patchy (dense) fog potential, though confidence remains low on this. Light/variable morning winds becoming onshore in the afternoon along the coast with sea breeze formation and this transition gradually pushes into the interior thru late day. Highest speeds up to around 12 kts across coastal TAF sites.

Previous...Looking ahead, those planning flights on Saturday afternoon should be advised of increasing NNE winds and potential categorical restrictions as a cold front moves through the state.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

DAB 84 62 77 62 / 10 10 40 30 MCO 86 66 82 65 / 20 20 30 30 MLB 82 65 81 66 / 10 10 50 50 VRB 83 63 82 67 / 10 10 40 50 LEE 87 62 80 61 / 10 10 10 20 SFB 87 64 80 62 / 20 10 30 30 ORL 87 65 81 64 / 20 20 30 30 FPR 83 62 83 66 / 10 10 40 50

MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. AM...Gale Watch from Saturday morning through Sunday morning for AMZ550-570.

Gale Watch from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning for AMZ552-572.