Florida State Watch Office Morning Situation Report for Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

• Areas of fog have developed this morning for portions of the state, with dense fog along the eastern Panhandle.
• A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until the mid-morning hours for reduced visibilities due to fog and low clouds.
• Mostly sunny and dry conditions can be expected across the state once the fog lifts and dissipates, courtesy of high pressure overhead.
• Low-level moisture and daytime heating may create a few sea-breeze induced brief showers along the Panhandle and Big Bend throughout the day (10-15% chance of rain).
• Any of these showers that develop will likely remain closer towards the coast, but regardless any shower activity will be light and brief.
• While low-level moisture continues to increase, interior portions of South-Central Florida and around Lake Okeechobee will see relative humidity values dip close to critical thresholds this afternoon (35-45%).
• Wind gusts across the Suwannee Valley and interior Northeast Florida will increase to 15-20 mph late this afternoon.
• High temperatures will continue to warm up into the 70s to middle 80s across the state this afternoon.
• Light showers will continue this evening and into portions of the overnight hours across the Panhandle and Big Bend due to upper-level support.
• Just like the daytime showers, these will be light and brief (10-20% chance of rain).
• Otherwise, mostly dry conditions can be expected overnight. Low-level moisture and calm winds overnight will lead to widespread patchy fog developing overnight and early Thursday morning throughout the state.
• Locally dense fog cannot be ruled out in some areas, especially low-lying areas.
• Low temperatures will fall into the upper 50s to upper 60s throughout the state overnight.
• The long-period ocean swell of 3-6' and onshore winds along the Florida East Coast will create a high risk for rip currents for all beaches.
• A moderate risk returns for nearly all Panhandle beaches, except for Gulf County which will see a locally high risk.

To view the complete Morning Situation Report, please select the link below.

Morning Situation Report