The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel said thunder could be heard and radar showed areas of light to heavy rain in Brevard County, where a rash of stubborn blazes has consumed some 12,000 acres.

The National Weather Service said showers would move across central Florida through the evening hours; however not much chance of rain was predicted for the rest of the week.

The Miami Herald said southern Florida would remain hot and smoky through the week. Firefighting efforts there included battling a 5-day-old fire in Everglades National Park that CNN said had grown to 36,000 acres by Monday afternoon.