Persistent thunderstorms sweeping across Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts have forced several cities to scale back Independence Day festivities. Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel cancelled their July 4 parades, while officials in Tampa Bay and along the Suncoast warned of additional delays and suspensions. Setup at Miami’s Bayfront Park was briefly halted as lightning rolled through the area, and forecasters expect repeated storm bands on Friday, though not a complete washout. Weather-related disruptions are also cascading into the state’s transportation network at the start of what U.S. transportation officials say is the busiest Fourth of July for air travel in 15 years. Tampa International Airport projects more than 364,000 passengers between July 3 and July 7 and has already reported a rise in cancellations and ground-stops when lightning nears the airfield. The agency and airport managers are urging fliers to arrive early, book morning departures when possible and monitor airline alerts.