ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is in for another day of dangerous heat and strong afternoon storms, with the forecast calling for this unsettled summer pattern to continue through Father’s Day weekend.
A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday as heat index values soar between 108 and 111 degrees. Afternoon highs will climb into the mid 90s, but the combination of heat and humidity will make it feel much hotter.
Along with the heat, expect the chance for storms to increase Friday afternoon as the easy and west coast sea breeze collides. The highest rain and storm coverage, between 40 and 70 percent, is expected across much of East Central Florida.
A few storms could become strong to severe, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. The main threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, frequent lightning, small hail, and torrential rainfall. Some areas could see 1 to 2 inches of rain in a short period, with isolated totals of 3 to 5 inches possible where storms repeatedly move over the same locations.
A Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) for severe storms is in place across the area, and a Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) for excessive rainfall for Brevard County.
WEEKEND
The active pattern continues into Saturday, when storm coverage increases to 50 to 80 percent. Another round of strong storms will be possible, bringing gusty winds, frequent lightning, heavy rain, and localized flooding concerns.
Storm chances decrease slightly on Father’s Day, but scattered afternoon and evening storms remain in the forecast. Temperatures will continue to run above normal through the weekend, with highs in the low to mid 90s and heat index values topping 100 degrees.
NEXT WEEK
Looking ahead to next week, rain chances gradually decrease as high pressure builds over the eastern Gulf. However, daily afternoon storms and above normal temperatures will remain part of the forecast.