ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Dry air has entered Florida today, covering roughly two-thirds of the state, according to an HRRRv4 afternoon humidity forecast valid 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday, September 17. Afternoon relative humidity levels across north and central Florida are showing readings in the 30s, 40s and 50s for a big chunk of the state, bringing blue skies, no rain and noticeably drier-feeling air. If you’re in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Gainesville or Orlando, today is the day an 88-degree afternoon is actually going to feel closer to 85.
Dry Air Covers Roughly Two-Thirds of Florida This Afternoon
The HRRRv4 model, initialized at 10Z and valid 20Z, or 4 p.m. EDT, on September 17, shows a stark divide across the state today. The northern and central two-thirds of Florida, roughly everything from the Panhandle through Orlando and toward the Treasure Coast, is running noticeably drier than typical for this time of year, while South Florida, including the areas around Fort Myers and the Everglades, remains locked into the state’s usual humid, tropical air mass.
Tallahassee and the Panhandle See Some of the Lowest Humidity Readings
Across the Panhandle, today’s map shows some of the driest air anywhere in the state, with readings as low as the 30s and 40s near Tallahassee and stretching along the Gulf Coast. If you’re anywhere in this stretch of North Florida, today’s combination of low humidity and abundant sunshine should make for one of the more comfortable afternoons the region has seen in a while, a welcome break from the sticky conditions typical of mid-September.
Jacksonville and North Central Florida Also Enjoy the Dry Push
Farther east, Jacksonville and the surrounding North Central Florida region are also solidly within today’s dry air mass, with humidity readings mostly in the 40s to mid-50s on the afternoon map. Communities throughout this part of the state should notice the same drier, more comfortable feel that’s affecting the Panhandle, with clear blue skies overhead rather than the scattered afternoon storms that typically develop this time of year.
Orlando and Central Florida Sit Right at the Edge of the Dry Zone
Orlando and the surrounding Central Florida region fall along the boundary of today’s dry push, with readings generally in the 40s to 50s across most of the immediate metro area. If you’re in Orlando, Ocala or nearby communities, expect a noticeably less humid afternoon than usual, though areas just to your south and east begin transitioning back toward the moister, more typically Floridian air mass as you approach the coasts.
South Florida and the Gulf Coast Keep Their Typical Humid, Tropical Feel
Not all of Florida shares in today’s dry break. The map shows a clear transition back to much higher humidity, readings well into the 60s, 70s and even up near 100 percent in spots, across South Florida, including the Fort Myers area, the Everglades and stretches of the immediate Gulf and Atlantic coastlines. If you’re in Miami, Fort Myers or the Florida Keys, today’s dry air push largely passes you by, and you should expect the state’s more typical late-summer humidity and cloud cover to stick around.
Why Lower Humidity Makes 88 Degrees Feel Like 85
Forecasters were direct about the practical payoff of today’s dry air: with humidity running so much lower than typical for North and Central Florida in September, an air temperature of 88 degrees should actually feel closer to 85 degrees outside. That difference comes down to how effectively sweat can evaporate off your skin, a much more efficient cooling process in drier air than in the thick, humid conditions Florida usually sees this time of year, meaning outdoor work or activity today should feel noticeably less draining across the dry zone.
What This Means if You’re Working or Playing Outside Today
For anyone with outdoor plans across North or Central Florida today, from yard work in Tallahassee to an afternoon at the park in Orlando, today’s setup is about as good as it gets for mid-September. Forecasters even noted you might not have to go through as many shirt changes working outside today given how much less oppressive the air will feel. Just keep in mind that if your plans take you farther south toward Fort Myers or Miami, the dry air break doesn’t extend that far, and you should expect the state’s more typical humid conditions to still be in play.
