Florida faces dual threat of relentless rains, coastal flooding

Steamy conditions have returned this week with rounds of unrelenting rain across Florida. Some areas, including Orlando and Jacksonville, could see up to 5 inches of rain through Friday.

The Sunshine State looks more like the "rainy state" as days of storms have swamped Florida this week and flooding concerns grow.

Having just come off a wet week, the state is dealing with another week of relentless rain and storms, and it's thanks to yet another front stalled over the state.

Timelapse photos of an incoming thunderstorm Wednesday afternoon in Spring Hill, Florida.

(@baja noah via X / FOX Weather)

"What's going on right now is we have a little stationary boundary," said FOX Weather meteorologist Michael Estime. "That's serving as that focus mechanism for those showers and thunderstorms to erupt along."

While the front draped across the peninsula is the main focus, storms will be likely all across the state as above-average moisture transports into the region, bringing showers and thunderstorms through the end of the week.

Here's a look at the wet stretch in Florida through Sunday.
(FOX Weather)

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Thunderstorms are expected into the weekend before drier weather returns early next week. Most areas across Florida will see 2–5 inches of rain through Monday evening. 

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A look at the rain forecast into Monday.
(FOX Weather)

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Due to the presence of abundant tropical moisture, the showers and thunderstorms that occur will result in significant rain falling within a short period. The risk of flash flooding will continue through Sunday as the relentless rain falls on saturated soils.

Flash flooding is possible in Florida through Sunday.
(FOX Weather)

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That tropical moisture will also make it feel steamy, according to the FOX Forecast Center. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid- to upper 80s each day, but dew points in the low to mid-70s will push heat indices into the 90s.

"By the time we get to Monday, this upcoming workweek, we will start to clear things out and dry things out," Estime said.

Coastal flood concerns for part of Florida's east coast

In addition to the flooding from heavy rains, a combination of king tides and onshore easterly winds will result in the potential for minor to moderate coastal flooding along the east coast of both North and South Florida.

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Here's a look at the coastal flood concerns through Sunday.
(FOX Weather)

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A Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued Friday for coastal Miami-Dade, coastal Broward, and coastal Palm Beach, the National Weather Service in Miami said. Similar advisories are posted for the northern Florida beaches around Jacksonville. Additional coastal flooding will remain possible around the times of high tide along the Atlantic coast over the next couple of days.

A week of relentless rain

Across the state, there are widespread two-day rain totals of more than 2 inches. Some spots have received 4-5 inches of rain since Tuesday, including Jacksonville, Orlando, and West Palm Beach. On Tuesday alone, Jacksonville received more than its average September rainfall. 

Heavy rains hit Jacksonville, Florida on Sept. 26, 2023.

"It's a lot of rain when you start nailing it down in the record books," said FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin. "That's when you know that you've surpassed what is normal or average for this time of year."

Drivers became stranded in Jacksonville on Tuesday after their vehicles stalled in 3-foot deep floodwater. Many areas in San Marco also saw flooding as storms brought up to 3 inches of rain.

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Motorists stranded in Jacksonville, FL as vehicles stall in 3-foot floodwaters

Strong storms hit Jacksonville, Florida, during the evening rush hour Tuesday.