Forecast calls for nice weather for Thanksgiving over much of Florida but lots of rain first
The tropics may be quiet as the official end of hurricane season approaches, but most of Florida can expect to see wet weather into the middle of the week.
A disturbance that brought rain from Jacksonville to Miami Sunday, will continue to bring showers to the state early this week, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton.
Over the next few days, some areas could see up to 3 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts in some areas that get hit with repeated downpours. Southwest Florida could see a bit less, with less than an inch.
'Historic' storm: Snow eases in parts of New York, but travel remains treacherous for some
South Florida weather: Days of rain ahead of Thanksgiving then cold front
First rain, then dry: Along with that turkey, drier weather set for Thanksgiving on Space Coast after rainy days
The rain could disrupt flights across the state and affect motorists hitting the roads for Thanksgiving.
An onshore wind, combined with rough surf and high tide, could bring even more beach erosion to areas such as Daytona Beach hit hard by Hurricane Nicole, AccuWeather forecasters said.
Dangerous rip currents and the rough surf will make it a time to stay out of the water.
What's the Thanksgiving weather forecast for Florida and Georgia?
By Thanksgiving day, rain that has been hitting Florida since Sunday should move through, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger. Stray showers may remain in eastern areas but much of the Sunshine State should be dry.
Georgia
Augusta: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Savannah: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Florida
Pensacola: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tallahassee: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Jacksonville: Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Daytona Beach: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Melbourne: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Port St. Lucie: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East northeast wind around 5 mph.
West Palm Beach: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 6 to 8 mph.
Naples: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Fort Myers: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Sarasota: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Traveling for Thanksgiving? You won't be alone
AAA is predicting more than 54 million people will be traveling 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving. That's approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Almost 49 million are expected to drive to their destinations, and could face record high gas prices. On Thanksgiving Day, the national average for gas is projected to be $3.68 per gallon, about 20 cents higher than last year's Thanksgiving, according to a recent report by GasBuddy.
The last record-high for Thanksgiving gas prices was in 2012, with a national average of $3.44.
More than 4 million will be flying, an increase of more than 330,000 travelers over 2021.
If you're driving, expect severe congestion on highways in and around Atlanta, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles, according to INRIX, a transportation analytics firm.
To avoid the most hectic times, INRIX recommends traveling early in the morning on Wednesday or before 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Avoid peak times between 4 and 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Thanksgiving weather forecast could pose problems for travelers
Conditions are posed for a large storm to form over the center of the U.S. on Thanksgiving. Impacts could spread east into the weekend.
Travelers should be prepared for everything from heavy rain and wind to accumulating snow, according to AccuWeather.
Experts said the weather system could bring delays to both air travelers and motorists. Chicago, Atlanta and New York could all face impacts.
What's in the tropics?
"The western Caribbean Sea is being monitored for potential development at the end of the month," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.
"With low wind shear and very warm water in this area, conditions could become conducive for development between Nov. 28 - Dec. 1."
No tropical cyclones are expected to develop over the next five days, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Nicole was the last storm to form in the Atlantic basin. If another storm develops, it would be Owen.
Forecasters continue to urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared.
Weather watches and warnings issued for your area
If you can't see any local weather warnings here, you'll need to open this story in a web browser.
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's next?
We will continue to update our weather coverage. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look at our special subscription offers here.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida weather forecast: Rain first part of week, nice for Thanksgiving