Weather - Lake Wales Daily News

NHC Updates Tropical Weather Outlook

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:59:43 +0000

While Hurricane Erin does not appear to be a threat to our area, there are additional areas to monitor in the Atlantic. The following represents the NWS National Hurricane Center Tropical Weather Outlook, issued at 2:00 pm, Sun., Aug. 17, 2025:

Active Systems:
The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Hurricane Erin, north of the Lesser Antilles.

Northwestern Atlantic:
Recent satellite-derived winds indicate an elongated area of low pressure located a couple hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina with associated surface winds of less than 20 mph. Shower activity remains limited, and development, if any, of this system
should be slow to occur during the next day or so, while it drifts generally eastward. The opportunity for development should end on Monday, when environmental upper-level winds are expected to become unfavorable.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…10 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…low…10 percent.

Central Tropical Atlantic:
A tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some gradual development of this system is possible during the middle to latter portion of the week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…low…30 percent.

The post NHC Updates Tropical Weather Outlook first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

NHC Tropical Weather Outlook Includes an Increase In Activity

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:55:01 +0000

The National Hurricane Center released a Tropical Weather Outlook from The NWS National Hurricane Center, Miami, Fl, at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 3.

While there is currently no eminent development of a storm, there is an area in the Atlantic to be aware of.

Update:

For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:

Western Atlantic (AL95):
Showers and thunderstorms have increased in association with a
non-tropical area of low pressure located a few hundred miles east
of the North Carolina coast. While satellite wind data show that
the low is now producing gale-force winds, the system remains
attached to a frontal boundary. However, environmental conditions
are conducive for this system to acquire additional tropical
characteristics, and a tropical storm is likely to form by Monday
well east of the North Carolina coast. For additional information,
including gale warnings, please see High Seas Forecasts issued by
the National Weather Service.

Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…high…70 percent.

Central Tropical Atlantic:
A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by late Monday. Thereafter, some gradual development of the wave is possible, and a tropical depression could form late this week while it moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…medium…40 percent.

Off the Southeastern United States:
An area of low pressure could form in a couple of days a few hundred miles southeast of the Carolinas. Some gradual development of this
system is possible by midweek as the system drifts to the northwest.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…low…20 percent.

The post NHC Tropical Weather Outlook Includes an Increase In Activity first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Heat Advisory Issued for Polk County by NWS

Maria Iannucci — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 16:00:59 +0000

NWS HeatRisk map, as issued by the National Weather Service

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today, July 26, 2025, from 11 AM this morning until 7 PM this evening.

The heat index values are expected to be up to 109 degrees. This alert affects all of Polk County.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Remain inside in air-conditioned areas if possible.

Temperatures are expected to remain high over the next few days, and residents and visitors are encouraged to take all precautions to avoid becoming overheated.

The post Heat Advisory Issued for Polk County by NWS first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Low Pressure Trough in Gulf Being Monitored by NHC

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 22:37:56 +0000

The Tropical Weather Outlook issued by the NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami FL
at 200 PM EDT on Sunday, July 13, 2025 states that a low pressure system in the Gulf has a low potential of development at this time:

“For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:

Northeastern Gulf:
A trough of low pressure near the southeastern U.S. coast is
expected move westward across Florida during the next day or so, and
into the northeastern Gulf by Tuesday. Environmental conditions
could support some gradual development of this system during the
middle to late part of this week while it moves westward over the
northeastern and north-central portions of the Gulf. Regardless of
development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding
over portions of Florida and the north-central Gulf coast through
the mid to late portion of this week.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…low…20 percent.”

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Tropical Weather Update Calls for Increased Development, Rain Chances

Maria Iannucci — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:56:22 +0000

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Thu Jul 3 2025

For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:

Near the Southeastern U.S.:
An area of low pressure is forecast to develop along a weakening
frontal boundary near Florida or the Atlantic coast of the
southeastern United States by Saturday. Environmental
conditions appear only marginally conducive for some slow
development, but a tropical or subtropical depression could form in
this region over the weekend or early next week while the system
drifts northward or northeastward. Regardless of development, heavy
rainfall is possible across portions of the southeast U.S.,
particularly across the west-central Florida coast.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…20 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…medium…60 percent.

The post Tropical Weather Update Calls for Increased Development, Rain Chances first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Southeastern Polk County Until 4:15 pm

Maria Iannucci — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:47:41 +0000

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Ruskin, in Southeastern Polk County in central Florida, including Lake Wales, until 4:15 PM on Friday, June 27, 2025.

At 3:38 PM, a severe thunderstorm is located 8 miles south east of Lake Wales, moving northeast at 20 mph.

It is recommended that you take shelter in place or per instruction.

60 mph wind gusts are possible.

Locations impacted may include Highland Park, Crooked Lake Park, Babson Park, Hillcrest Heights, Frostproof, and Lake Wales.

The post Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Southeastern Polk County Until 4:15 pm first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

National Hurricane Center Begins Tracking Potential Weather System Near Florida on the Second Day of Storm Season

Maria Iannucci — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:44:23 +0000

Photo Credit: National Hurricane Center

While the 2025 hurricane season only began yesterday, June 1, there is already a potential storm in the works. In this particular case, the forecast calls for this system to move towards the northeast away from Florida. The following update was provided by the National Hurricane Center:

Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 PM EDT Mon Jun 2 2025

For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:

Offshore of the Southeastern U.S. Coast
A non-tropical area of low pressure is forecast to form near or
offshore of the southeastern U.S. coast during the next couple of
days. If the system remains offshore, the low could gradually
develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this
week while moving northeastward at 10 to 15 mph.

Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days…low…10 percent.

The post National Hurricane Center Begins Tracking Potential Weather System Near Florida on the Second Day of Storm Season first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Parts of Polk County Under Marginal Risk of Afternoon Severe Weather

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 04 May 2025 13:45:05 +0000

A frontal boundary that moved through the area overnight has increased rain chances and the potential for marginal severe storms.

A Marginal Risk (1/5) of severe storms is expected this afternoon (May 4, 2025) & early evening, mainly across the interior areas, including parts of Polk County.

Primary threats include large hail, gusty/damaging winds, and perhaps a brief tornado.

Source: The National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin Fl

The post Parts of Polk County Under Marginal Risk of Afternoon Severe Weather first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warning

Maria Iannucci — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:56:25 +0000

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin has issued a red flag warning for April 20, 2025. Details:

…CRITICALLY LOW HUMIDITY WITH GUSTY WINDS WILL RESULT IN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER… .Very dry warm breezy conditions today will cause relative humidity values to drop below critical levels, and wind speeds will be 15 MPH or greater this afternoon. This will create Red Flag conditions across the vast majority of the forecast area. The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from noon today to 7 PM EDT this evening. * AFFECTED AREA…Sumter, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Coastal Levy, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Levy, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte and Inland Lee. * TIMING…From noon today to 7 PM EDT this evening. * WINDS…Southeast 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 30 percent. * IMPACTS…Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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Grab a Jacket This Morning; You May Need It Later.

Maria Iannucci — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:23:40 +0000

National Weather Service

Good morning Lake Wales! The National Weather Service forecast calls for changing weather conditions today:

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

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