Strong Winds, Storms Lash Treasure Coast Wednesday; Drier Weekend Looms

At Sebastian Inlet Wednesday morning, anglers who made the drive before dawn found northeast winds already building hard off the water — a reminder that the Treasure Coast's mid-April calendar doesn't always read like a beach brochure.

TODAY: A raw, unsettled Wednesday is locked in. Expect considerable cloudiness through late afternoon, widespread showers and a chance of thunderstorms — some capable of heavy rainfall — with highs only reaching the mid-70s. Northeast winds will howl at 20 to 25 mph through the day. Rain chance sits at 80%, the National Weather Service said. Contractors, consider rescheduling any concrete pours. This day will not cooperate.

TONIGHT: Showers remain likely into the overnight hours, with another chance of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Lows hold in the upper 60s. Northeast winds ease after midnight, dropping to 10 to 15 mph out of the east by dawn, forecasters said. Rain chance: 70%.

THIS WEEK: Thursday offers little relief. Clouds and showers persist, with another thunderstorm chance and highs again in the mid-70s. Gusts could hit 30 mph on the northeast breeze. Rain chance holds at 70%. Thursday night begins the turnaround — showers become scattered, breezy conditions back off, and the rain chance falls to 40%. By Friday, the pattern breaks open. Partly sunny skies return, highs climb to the upper 70s, and the rain chance drops sharply to 20%, according to National Weather Service data.

ON THE WATER: Wednesday and Thursday are days to stay tied to the dock. A persistent 20-to-25-mph northeast flow will stack up short, steep chop across the nearshore reefs from Fort Pierce to Stuart. Offshore runs are inadvisable. The fishing window reopens Friday, when diminishing northeast winds and a modest 20% rain chance make morning runs to the snapper grounds viable. Capt. Randy Gill at Sailfish Marina in Stuart reported Tuesday that the current weather pattern has kept most charters inshore this week. Friday's improving window is already drawing calls, he said.

ALERTS: No active National Weather Service watches, warnings, or advisories were in effect as of publication. Mariners should monitor VHF Channel 16 through Thursday given the sustained wind and thunderstorm threat.

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