Southwest Florida’s awaited rainy season gets under way
As Mother Nature has shown this week, the Southwest Florida rainy season is officially upon us.
According to the National Weather Service, rainy season in Southwest Florida officially runs from May 15 to Oct.15. Being located in what is referred to as the Subtropics, during the late spring and summer months, the tropical climate shifts north. NWS officials state that when combined with the influence of surrounding oceans and daily sea breezes, thunderstorm season is about.
According to NWS officials, “The rainy season can begin abruptly in some years and the onset can take weeks to develop in other years. There are several factors that need to come together for daily thunderstorms to occur. Therefore, the beginning of the rainy season is usually a transition period rather than a single date. Similar to hurricane season, the rainy season may occur before or after the aforementioned dates.”
NWS officials state that rainy season usually has three phases:
• Late May through June is the period when severe storms are most likely. Hail, damaging winds, and waterspouts are common, in addition to heavy rainfall and frequent lightning.
• July through early September is when rainy season peaks. While the overall threat for severe weather diminishes, heavy rainfall and seasonal river flooding remain significant hazards, along with frequent lightning.
Rainy season is typically accompanied by an increase in humidity with persistent dew point values above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The location and timing favored for thunderstorm development on any given day changes based on the position and strength of the Bermuda High. Thunderstorm season is also most active when sea surface temperatures surpass 82 degrees offshore, and not just along the coast, and when moisture aloft increases. Officials state 55 to 70% of annual rainfall occurs during June through September.
• Mid-September through early October is the “wind down” phase and tends to have higher rainfall variability due to potential tropical systems and early-fall cold fronts.
For more information on rain season, visit weather.gov.