ORLANDO, Fla. – Much-needed rain is pushing through Central Florida ahead of a cold front. We’ve seen periods of heavy rain and some gusty winds, but limited lightning so far.
Ahead of the front, some cities set new temperature records. Orlando reached 90 degrees, breaking the previous record of 89 set in 2001. As of 4 p.m., there was also about a 20-degree temperature difference between areas behind the front and locations still ahead of it.
A weakening band of showers and a few embedded storms will continue moving south across the region through the evening as the cold front slides through. While widespread severe weather is not expected, a few stronger cells could still produce wind gusts around 40 mph, along with brief heavy downpours.
Into the early evening, showers will gradually clear from north to south. Most of the rain should move out of southern Brevard County by around 8 p.m.
Behind the front, skies will begin to clear, and temperatures will turn a bit cooler than what we have experienced lately. Overnight lows will fall to around 61 degrees in Orlando, with similar temperatures across much of Central Florida.
Friday looks fairly dry across Central Florida. Afternoon temperatures will climb to around 80 degrees, which is noticeably cooler than the near 90 degree heat we experienced earlier this week. The average high for mid-March in Orlando is about 78 degrees.
The front moving through Central Florida today will stall just to our south before lifting back north this weekend. That will keep our weather a bit unsettled for the first weekend of spring break across much of the region.
It will not be a washout, but scattered showers and a few storms will be possible at times. Rain chances will sit around 40% Saturday, increasing to about 60% on Sunday.
If you are headed to the beach this weekend, be aware that there will also be an elevated risk of rip currents. Always swim near a lifeguard and follow local beach safety flags.
Another stronger cold front moves through Central Florida on Monday, bringing a 70% chance of showers and a few storms.
Behind that front, noticeably cooler air moves in. Afternoon highs will struggle to get out of the 60s by Tuesday.
For St. Patrick’s Day and into Wednesday, highs will stay in the 60s as the cooler air settles into Central Florida.
By the end of the week, temperatures begin to rebound, with afternoon highs returning to the low to mid 70s.