ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is entering one of its hottest stretches of the summer so far as rain chances drop and temperatures continue to climb through the end of the week.
WEDNESDAY
After several days of scattered afternoon storms, much drier air is moving into the region, limiting storm development and allowing temperatures to soar. Only isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, with rain chances (30-40%) dropping even further in the next few days.
The bigger weather story is the heat.
High temperatures Wednesday afternoon will climb into the mid to upper 90s across much of the interior, with some of the hottest readings expected near and north of Interstate 4.
Coastal communities will stay slightly cooler in the low to mid 90s, but the humidity will make it feel much hotter.
Peak heat index values are expected to reach between 105 and 109 degrees in some locations. Because of the dangerous combination of heat and humidity, a Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. for Marion and Flagler counties.
Additional Heat Advisories could be needed for other parts of Central Florida on Thursday as temperatures continue to rise.
THURSDAY-WEEKEND
The hot pattern is expected to continue through the weekend, with inland areas near and north of Interstate 4 likely reaching the upper 90s each afternoon.
Along with the drier weather, we are expecting a decent plume of Saharan Dust to move into the area. Click here to read more on that.
Rain chances remain limited through Friday before a gradual increase in afternoon storm coverage returns over the weekend and into early next week as the influence of high pressure begins to weaken.