...VERY HOT WEATHER CONTINUES TODAY AND FRIDAY WITH DANGEROUS HEAT INDEX...

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON...

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Partly cloudy. A 40 % chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 90s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Heat index readings 105 to 109.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a slight chance of showers after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 %.

The combination of high temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees and dew points in the mid 70s will create heat index of 105 to 112. A heat advisory has been issued where heat index values will likely reach 110 degrees.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and evening with most of the activity across the inland areas. the main concerns with isolated stronger storms will be excessive lightning and strong downburst winds along with very heavy rainfall. Storm motion will be south around 5 to 10 mph.

Forecast Details: main story continues the heat. Deep layer northwest flow will likely pin the Atlantic sea-breeze east of I-95 with temperatures soaring into the upper 90s and lower 100s except middle 90s near the coast. These readings coupled with afternoon dew point readings in the upper 60s and lower 70s will yield heat index above the century mark. Heat index of 110 or higher are expected across a large portion of southeast Georgia and portions of northeast Florida, with a heat advisory in effect.

Although the atmosphere is quite moist with precipitation water above 2 inches, have continued to cap probability of precipitation in chance category due to limited dynamics. Best rain chances are across northeast Florida where both sea-breezes will impact. Weak steering flow will promote localized heavy rainfall. Embedded pockets of dry air will favor wet microbursts. Hail potential will be minimal given high freezing level and weak shear in the hail growth region.

Today's Pollen Levels: 4.7 Low Medium (on s a scale to 12); Predominate Pollen: Grass.

For additional information visit the National Weather Service in Jacksonville website on the internet at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/