When will the record-setting heat in Volusia-Flagler end? And when will it rain?

Oppressive, occasionally record-setting heat is still a daily reality throughout Central Florida, including Volusia and Flagler counties.

As residents seek air-conditioning and those working outdoors take precautions against heat-related illnesses, the big question remains: When will we get relief from the soaring temperatures?

Alas, not through this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.

After heat index values soared to a high of 110 in Daytona Beach on Monday, the NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook that called for heat index values to range from 100-107 on Tuesday.

That level of heat can affect anyone, without adequate precautions. It’s recommended that anyone outside take frequent breaks from the heat and drink plenty of fluids.

Looking ahead, excessive heat is expected to return over the weekend with a moderate to major heat risk. Afternoon high temperatures this coming weekend are expected to reach the upper 80s to mid-90s. Combined with high humidity, those temperatures will result in heat index values between 105-110.

“We issue heat index advisories when heat index values are forecast to range from 108-112,” said Derrick Weitlich, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. “It has certainly been within that criteria.”

Lack of afternoon showers contribute to soaring temps

Is it hotter than usual?

For June, Daytona Beach had a monthly average temperature of 82.7, which was 2.5 degrees above normal. That ranks as the second warmest June on record, dating back to 1923.

Throughout east Central Florida, June ranked among the Top 10 warmest on record at all NWS primary climate reporting sites.

Play it safe:How to Stay Safe Working Out in Heat

During June, much of Central Florida also was drier than normal, according to NWS records.

Daytona Beach received 4.01 inches of rain for the month, which was 2.93 inches — or 42% lower — than its normal level of 6.94 inches.

In DeLand, the total was 7.84 inches, down 4% from the normal monthly rainfall total of 8.2 inches.

In Flagler County, it was a similar situation in Bunnell, site of the county’s Emergency Operations Center, where 3.41 inches of rain was reported for the month of May, the most recent data available, according to Bob Pickering, the county’s Emergency Management Specialist.

That’s down from the monthly average of 3.8 inches.

The presence of afternoon thunderstorms is a factor that can result in lower temperatures, said Weitlich, the NWS meteorologist.

“If the showers and thunderstorms develop earlier in the afternoon that can keep temperatures closer to normal,” he said. “We didn’t have as much rain, especially the last seven days, across Volusia County, so that did result in some of the temperatures being above normal, as they were yesterday in the mid-90s.”

At the same time, rainfall totals have been variable, depending on location, within both counties.

While Daytona Beach International Airport, where the NWS takes its measurement, received 4 inches for the month, some areas near Ormond Beach received as much as 6 to 8 inches, Weitlich said. Likewise, some areas of northern DeLand received as little as 3 inches, while nearly 9 inches was reported in Edgewater at the county’s southern tip.

“Generally, rain levels were near to below normal across northern half of the county, near to above normal across the southern half,” Weitlich said.

In an email that accompanied Flagler County’s May rainfall report, Pickering offered a similar assessment, noting that “precipitation figures were generally above and below normal for the county depending on location. Isolated heavy thunderstorms helped some, but those who got missed by the showers and storms had less rain” than average for the month.

In terms of drought conditions, both counties are within the normal range of 241-460 on the Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI), a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil reported by the Florida Department of Agriculture.

On Tuesday, Volusia was at 327 and Flagler at 319 on a scale that ranges from 0 (representing no moisture deficit) to 800.

Daytona Beach weather radar

Extended forecast for Daytona Beach

Wednesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91 and nighttime low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 40% at night.

Thursday: Chance of precipitation is 70%, with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 88, with nighttime low around 75.

Friday: A 50% chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m. A high near 90, with nighttime low around 77.

Saturday: Chance of precipitation is 40%. A high near 91, with nighttime low around 78.

Sunday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. A high near 91, with nighttime low around 77.

Extended forecast for Palm Coast

Wednesday: Chance of precipitation is 60%. A high near 88, with nighttime low around 78.

Thursday: Chance of precipitation is 60%. A high near 85, with nighttime low around 76.

Friday: Chance of precipitation is 60%. A high near 87, with nighttime low around 78.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. A high near 87, with nighttime low around 79.

Sunday: Chance of precipitation is 60%. A high near 87, with nighttime low around 79.