Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning Possible After Fire Weather Watch for Central West Florida; I-95 Crash Slows Morning Commute

A fire weather watch was released late Sunday and is valid Monday between 9 a. m. and 7 p. m., raising the prospect of a Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning as officials warn of gusty northwest winds and low humidity across Central West Florida. Separately, a crash with injuries on I-95 North in West Palm Beach blocked multiple lanes during the Monday morning commute, creating additional travel disruptions.

Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning: Fire weather watch details for Central West Florida

The fire weather watch, released at 11: 38 p. m. Sunday, covers multiple Central West Florida counties and is in effect Monday from 9 a. m. to 7 p. m. Residents in the affected counties should note expected northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph and relative humidity falling to levels near 38 percent. The advisory indicates that critical fire weather conditions are possible and advises listeners to monitor later forecasts for any escalation to a Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning.

• Watch valid: Monday, 9 a. m. –7 p. m. (ET)
• Expected winds: northwest 10–20 mph, gusts up to 30 mph
• Relative humidity: as low as 38 percent
• Counties included: Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee

A fire weather watch designates conditions where critical fire weather is possible; residents in the listed counties should be prepared for changes and heed later forecasts that may announce a Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning. Details may evolve as the period approaches.

I-95 North crash in West Palm Beach blocks lanes during morning commute

A separate traffic incident affected the Monday morning commute in Palm Beach County. A crash with injuries on I-95 North in West Palm Beach occurred just before Exit 74 (45th Street) at 5: 38 a. m. (ET). An update at 5: 48 a. m. (ET) indicated that the two left lanes were blocked. Authorities reported that the crash involved injuries and that lane blockages were in place during the early-morning response.

Motorists traveling through the area during the morning period should expect delays and consider alternate routes where possible. Emergency responders were on scene addressing the crash and managing traffic flow while responders worked to clear the roadway.

What residents and commuters should do next

For residents in Central West Florida, the combination of gusty northwest winds and lowered humidity is the core reason the fire weather watch was issued. Stay alert for updates in the hours leading up to the 9 a. m. watch start and be ready for official messaging that could announce a Red Flag (fire Weather) Warning should conditions warrant escalation.

For commuters in and near West Palm Beach, allow extra time for travel while lanes remain blocked and emergency response is underway. Expect congestion near Exit 74 and adjacent segments of I-95 North during the morning response and recovery period.

Both developments are active situations. Details may evolve, and people in affected areas are advised to monitor local forecasts and traffic updates for the latest information.