Orlando is waking up to temperatures around 74 degrees Friday, with more sunshine expected ahead of another hot, humid afternoon. Highs should reach near 90 before showers and thunderstorms develop after 2 p.m., with the best chance of storms arriving late in the afternoon and early evening.
The National Weather Service in Melbourne puts Friday’s rain chance near 60%, with east-southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. The strongest storms could produce wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, frequent lightning and brief heavy downpours, while areas hit repeatedly may see localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Storm Chances Build Into The Weekend
Friday’s setup is somewhat less waterlogged than the heaviest rain days earlier this week, but the wet pattern is not ready to leave Central Florida alone. Saturday will again reach around 90 degrees, with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. and south-southeast winds that could gust to 25 mph.
Saturday night brings a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with showers tapering between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Scattered to numerous storms are forecast through the weekend, with coverage peaking in the afternoon and early evening. Sunday will have a high near 89 and another 70% rain chance.
Beachgoers Face Dangerous Surf Conditions
The weather report also warns of a high risk of life-threatening rip currents at all Central Florida Atlantic beaches Friday. There are no local watches or warnings listed for the Orlando area, but swimmers should stay out of rough surf and follow lifeguard instructions…