ORLANDO, Fla. – Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect for Orange and Osceola Counties.
Plan for a stormy end to the week in Central Florida as a weakening cold front draped just north of the region is expected to keep things unsettled through Friday.
Thursday brings a “marginal” severe weather risk (Level 1/5) from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Rain chances are forecast to rise to around 70% Thursday, especially after 6 p.m., and could linger in the area until around 11 p.m. Most of this activity is likely to impact inland and eastern counties.
The storm prediction center is highlighting most of the area under a Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) for strong to severe storms.
The strongest storms could bring wind gusts up to 60 mph, frequent lightning and the potential for 1 to 2 additional inches of rainfall in some neighborhoods. There’s also a low, but not zero, risk of an isolated rotating storm.
Friday looks to repeat the stormy pattern with more afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Before the rain arrives, expect another two days of highs in the low 90s with feels like temperatures between 100-105 degrees.
Shifting weather pattern
Eyes are also on a new cold front moving into Central Florida early Saturday. This front is expected to spark morning showers (50-60%) followed by a drier afternoon.
But there’s good news on the horizon: Once the front sweeps through, drier and more comfortable air is forecast to settle in across the area by Sunday.
Latest models show a significant drop in humidity for Sunday, with rain chances falling to just 10% to 20%.
Temperatures will remain warm, with daytime highs sticking around the upper 80s to near 90, but lower moisture levels should make things feel a lot more pleasant for outdoor activities.
Tropics update
In the tropics, there is no new tropical development is expected during the next seven days, just ahead of the official start of hurricane season.
Even though forecasters are keeping an eye on a couple of tropical waves out in the Caribbean, development looks unlikely for now.