Why the Suncoast is Experiencing a Preview of Fall

Florida isn’t known for a traditional fall like the Midwest or Northeast, but this weekend, a weak front will usher in drier air, lowering humidity and morning temperatures just enough to make you think, “hmm, that feels different.”

Expect temperatures in the upper 60s inland and low 70s along the beaches, offering a slight taste of fall.

Tonight: breezy & comfy

After sunset, showers will quickly fade, especially inland. Overnight lows will cool down into the low 70s along the coast and upper 60s inland, complemented by a steady northeast breeze. It won’t be cold, but rather, quite comfortable.

Saturday: sunny & mostly dry

Saturday is set to be sunny with highs near 89° and minimal rain. While some inland areas might experience a stray storm late in the day, Sarasota and Manatee beaches will remain clear. With breezy northeast winds, this is about as “fall” as Florida gets in September.

Sunday: repeat performance

Expect more sunshine with highs in the upper 80s and a few inland storms after 2 PM. Coastal areas will enjoy bright and mostly dry conditions, leading to another comfortable night with temperatures in the low 70s.

Early next week: picture-perfect

Monday and Tuesday promise idyllic weather with sunny skies, highs around 90°, and lows near 72°. With little to no rain expected, it’s classic chamber-of-commerce weather: warm during the day and pleasant at night.

Mid to late week: moisture sneaks back

From Wednesday through Friday, rain chances will increase again. Inland afternoon storms may drift west toward the beaches later in the day, with highs in the upper 80s and lows in the low 70s.

Boating forecast

Saturday is ideal for boating with northeast winds at 10–15 knots and seas of 2–3 feet offshore, and 1–2 feet nearshore. The best conditions can be expected early in the day before winds pick up.

Tropics

Currently monitoring Disturbance 1 located in the far eastern Atlantic. It has a medium chance (40%) of developing over the next week, but it’s thousands of miles away, posing no immediate impacts to the Suncoast.

Ric’s Bottom Line: This weekend offers Sarasota & Manatee a baby taste of fall with breezy mornings, drier air, and sunny afternoons. Flip-flops remain, but the muggy summer air takes a brief hiatus.

Key Information

• Weather this Weekend: Drier air and lower humidity with temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s.
• Saturday: Highs near 89°F, mostly sunny, minimal rain.
• Sunday: Similar weather with highs in the upper 80s and a few inland storms.
• Early Next Week: Sunny, highs near 90°F, lows around 72°F.
• Mid to Late Week: Increased rain chances with highs in the upper 80s.
• Boating Conditions: Ideal on Saturday with northeast winds 10–15 knots.
• Tropics: Monitoring Disturbance 1 with a 40% chance of development.