ORLANDO, Fla. – We’re still in an active weather pattern, and Friday brings another round of scattered to widespread storms. Due to the threat for more severe weather concerns, the News 6 Weather Team has designated Friday as a Weather Alert Day.
Friday-Weekend
A stalled front over the Panhandle is helping fuel Friday’s storm setup. The combination of available moisture and a strong sea breeze collision this afternoon, we’re expecting numerous showers and storms to fire between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Strong to severe weather chances will remain high with coverage 60-80%. Some of these storms could pack a punch. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of our area under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather.
The main weather impacts Friday and through the weekend include: Strong winds (up to 60 mph), marble-sized hail, heavy downpours and frequent lightning. While the risk remains low, a quick spin up tornado can’t be ruled out.
Slow moving storms in the collision zone could cause minor flooding in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
Before the rain returns, highs will soar back into the upper 80s to low 90s.
Weather Alert Days likely will be issued daily through Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Next Week
By Monday, moisture levels increase even more, bumping rain chances up to 80%. The Weather Prediction Center has flagged our region for a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 4) for excessive rainfall Monday, so we’ll need to keep an eye on areas that could see localized flooding from repeated rounds of rain. On the bright side, this helps chip away at ongoing drought conditions.
Expect highs in the mid to upper 80s this weekend, dipping slightly into the low 80s on Monday with more cloud cover and rain around.
We will finally turn a drier and hotter corner by the middle and end of the week. Storm chances drop off to 20–30% by Thursday.
Less rain means more heat with highs warming into the low 90s with heat indices flirting with triple digit heat.