Bottom Line:

• Dangerous heat will continue through the weekend
• Tropical disturbance expected to move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico early next week

Overview:

The oppressive heat will continue through the weekend, peaking on Saturday and Sunday, with high temperatures in the triple digits for many locations in the region. Apparent temperatures (heat index) will exceed 108F in most areas on Saturday and Sunday. In areas of the Florida Panhandle, especially south of I-10, apparent temperatures may exceed 113F Saturday and Sunday afternoons, possibly reaching as high as 115-117. Temperatures and apparent temperatures should finally begin to retreat on Monday.

However, the change in the pattern will also open the door to allow a tropical disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean Sea to lift north and then northeast into the eastern Gulf of Mexico by early next week. Since the system has yet to develop, the evolution remains highly uncertain. However,  there is increasing confidence that there will at least be a Tropical Depression in the eastern Gulf of Mexico early next week. The National Hurricane Center has increased the formation chances to 70%.