ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is in for another stretch of steamy afternoons and stormy skies.
The week ahead is expected to bring rain chances that hover at 50 to 60%, with the most active periods during the late afternoon to early evening.
Temperatures are forecast to reach the low 90s in Orlando, staying above the normal high of 88 degrees for this time of year.
These hot and humid conditions are not going anywhere soon, so keep those umbrellas close by, especially as storms rumble through after 2 or 3 p.m.
Severe Threat
While the area isn’t under a widespread severe weather threat, a few storms could turn strong, bringing lightning, gusty winds of 40 to 60 mph and locally heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches.
Isolated cells may even drop small hail or briefly rotate. Just this Monday, an official report confirmed a waterspout in Waterford Lakes, another reminder that fast-changing weather is the norm this season.
Rainy Outlook
This pattern of afternoon storms developing along the sea breezes is expected to continue through Friday, with rain chances staying elevated (40-60%) through the weekend.
Tropics & Saharan Dust
Hurricane season officially kicks off Sunday, but there are no signs of new tropical development for the next several days.
The influx of Saharan dust across the Atlantic is helping keep things quiet for now. For the time being, it’s a good opportunity to make sure your storm safety kits are ready, even though no urgent threats are on the forecast.
That Saharan dust looks to approach the Sunshine State by this weekend. This plume is a typical early summer visitor, traveling across the Atlantic from Africa toward the Caribbean.
While this dust usually hampers tropical development, it also brings vibrant sunrises and sunsets. Current computer models show the first dust wave moving in for the weekend, with a larger, denser plume possibly making its appearance by the middle of next week.