Relief on the Way to Some Floridians

The humidity has been oppressive in Florida recently. Not surprising since near-record rainfall amounts have been observed over the past three weeks. But relief is on the way to some Floridians thanks to a strong - for this time of year, anyway - cold front.

At 9 am Monday morning, the temperatures weren't the story. It was the dew point, which is a measure of how much moisture is in the air. The actual air temperatures weren't that notable (only in the lower 80s), but thanks to that humidity it already felt like the 90s in most spots. At 9 am!

90s at 9 am...that is what if feels like in the #FL peninsula when you have dew points in the mid to upper 70s. Current temp low 80s. #FLwx #sticky #humid pic.twitter.com/9xcoS9PXC3

— Cyndee O'Quinn (@MetCyndee) June 4, 2018

The good news is that relief is on the way for two-thirds of the state. A cold front will drop south into central Florida by Tuesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, it is likely to stall near Fort Myers. The difference will be remarkable.

Behind the front, there will be a dramtic change in how it feels from Monday to Tuesday in north Florida. The change will also be noticeable Wednesday in central Florida. What will be missing is the oppressively high humidity, not necessarily the warm temperatures.

The approaching air mass is more typical of one that arrives in late April or early May, as dew points will likely fall all the way to the lower and middle 60s. Even though afternoon temperatures will still be near 90 Tuesday and Wednesday, the difference in how it will feel will be about 10 degrees.

Further south, only a slight cool down is coming to much of South Florida. And in contrast, the subtle drop in temperature for cities like Naples and Miami will be brought on by more clouds and possible showers Wednesday and Thursday, not a lowering of the humidity levels.

The heat and humidity will return for much of the state by the end of the week, as any relief this time of year in Florida is usually rather brief.