ORLANDO, Fla. – A much more active summerlike weather pattern is beginning to take shape across Central Florida as tropical moisture slowly increases ahead of the weekend.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday will act as a transitional day as scattered showers will become a bit more pronounced ahead of an even more unsettled pattern through the rest of the week.
Most coastal communities will stay mainly dry through much of today, aside from a few passing morning showers. By this afternoon and evening, scattered storms are expected to fire up inland, especially between I-4 and I-75 as the sea breeze pushes across the area.
Temperatures climb back into the low 90s inland with heat index values nearing 100 degrees in spots.
THURSDAY-WEEKEND
The bigger story is the surge of deep tropical moisture arriving Thursday and lasting through the weekend.
Rain and storm coverage jumps significantly, with scattered to numerous storms expected each afternoon and evening through Sunday. Unlike recent days, storms will have a better chance to reach the majority of the area, including the coast.
IMPACTS
- Daily rain and storm chances: 70-80%
- Heavy tropical downpours
- Frequent lightning
- Localized flooding concerns
Latest models show widespread rainfall totals of three to five inches are likely through the weekend.
NEXT WEEK
The wetter setup is welcome news for Florida, which continues to deal with severe drought conditions in many areas.
Even more moisture could arrive early next week if a weak front settles near Central Florida. Forecast models continue to signal an extended unsettled pattern into the first week of June, with above-normal rainfall looking increasingly likely.