weather

A strong cold front will sweep through the Sunshine State by midweek, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season with it.

Gusty winds and widespread rain are anticipated over much of the state Friday into Saturday. Coastal flooding is also likely along a portion of the Atlantic coast.

As a nor’easter approaches our region, a coastal flood warning has been issued for much of Northeast Florida through Sunday.

Significant tidal flooding is expected along the St. Johns River and St. Marys River basins beginning Thursday. Moderate to potentially major coastal flooding is also expected along the First Coast beaches Friday and Saturday.

Swells from Major Hurricane Sam are expected to reach the coast on Friday and continue into the weekend as it spins well offshore.

Hurricane Sam matched Hurricane Ida as the season's strongest hurricane late Sunday, but is forecast to stay at sea.

Hurricane Sam reached category 4 status late Saturday afternoon. It is the fourth Atlantic hurricane to achieve major hurricane status in 2021.

Sam rapidly intensified overnight and is forecast to become a major hurricane over the weekend. While models suggests Sam may stay out to sea, it is still too soon to credibly predict whether there will be impacts to Florida.

Floridians usually have to wait much longer than the first day of autumn for that "fall feel" in the air. That won't be the case this year for those living north of I-4, as a noticeable cold front surges in.

The Tropical Atlantic has had no shortage of tropical storms in recent days.