ORLANDO, Fla. – Friday could be a very active weather day across Central Florida.
Scattered showers and storms are in the forecast, and as we head into the afternoon and evening, some of those storms could pack a punch.
The setup in the atmosphere supports isolated strong storms with gusty winds (up to 55 mph), heavy downpours and frequent lightning all on the table.
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If you’re planning anything outdoors, especially later in the day, keep an eye to the sky and be ready to move inside at the first rumble of thunder.
Storms are expected to develop along the east coast sea breeze, then push inland during the afternoon.
However, an increase in westerly winds aloft could push some of those storms back toward the coast by evening, especially south of Orlando and Cape Canaveral.
Just about everyone has a decent chance to see some rain Friday.
We’ve already seen areas pick up several inches of rain over the past few days, especially parts of Volusia, Brevard, Orange and Osceola counties. With more storms on the way, localized flooding will be something to watch for, particularly in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
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Labor Day Weekend
As we head into the holiday weekend, the unsettled pattern sticks around.
A front draped over North Florida will slowly sag southward, interacting with deep tropical moisture and upper-level energy. The result will be higher coverage of rain and storms Saturday and Sunday, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.
There is a Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall, which simply means that some areas could see enough rain in a short period of time to cause minor flooding. And just like Friday, any stronger storms that form could bring gusty winds and lightning.
So while it won’t be a complete washout each day, timing your outdoor plans around the weather will be key this weekend. And remember: “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
Beach and Boating
If you’re heading to the coast Friday, a moderate rip current risk exists from Cape Canaveral northward.
Always swim near a lifeguard and check local beach flags before entering the water.
Beyond Labor Day
The stormy pattern continues into early next week as the same front lingers over the area and another upper-level system approaches from the west.
Rain chances remain elevated through at least Tuesday, possibly Wednesday, before drier air starts to arrive late next week.
In the meantime, temperatures will run near or slightly below average, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90, and overnight lows in the low to mid-70s.