Rain and humidity lingering above the area will be responsible for a likely squally Labor Day weekend for Central Florida, including Volusia and Flagler counties.
According to Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, rainfall totals until Sept. 7 will most likely land between 1 and 2 inches in Volusia.
But the area will also have a "marginal risk" for "excessive rainfall," which could produce up to 3 inches in just one day.
"Each day we have showers and thunderstorms forecast," Watson said, though chances vary. These storms, she added, could bring "frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall."
Chances of rain in Volusia County will gradually climb over the next few days, according to the forecast.
"On Saturday (Sept. 5), the Daytona Beach area has around a 50% chance of rain," Watson said. "It increases on Sunday to around 70%, and then Monday increasing again to around 80%."
These showers and storms are likely after 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 and after 2 p.m. on Sept. 6, according to the forecast.
The high temperatures will generally be in the low 90s over the weekend, which "in combination with the humidity is producing peak heat indices generally in the low 100s — maybe 100 to 105 in general."
Similar rainy conditions are on the way for Flagler County, according to the forecast.
The "very moist airmass" over the area will make rain chances increase over the next few days.
Though Sept. 5 will be "mostly sunny," chances showers and thunderstorms remain in the afternoon — approximately 50%.
On Sept. 6, afternoon shower chance rise to 70% and then to 90% by Labor Day, Sept. 7.
High temperatures in Flagler will also stay in the lower 90s range, with heat indices up to 107.
Though heavy rain over a few days can do a lot of damage, the feared peak of hurricane season is here.
Thanks to a "strong El Niño" this year, activity in the Atlantic Ocean has been "mild," without development expected over the next seven days, Watson said.
But that doesn't mean there is no risk of a storm impacting Florida or the rest of the U.S. East Coast.
"Even though the season so far has been basically below normal, it only takes one (storm) for it to be considered an active season," Watson said.
Hurricane season prep: It's Hurricane Preparedness Week. What you need in Volusia, Flagler
"We always stress to always have your hurricane plan in place and your hurricane kits ready, even though it is quiet right now."
— Brenno Carillo is a local government reporter covering Flagler County, including Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, for The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Rainy Labor Day weekend likely ahead for Volusia, Flagler