ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida’s weather pattern is flipping from stormy to scorching. Rain chances remain limited while dangerous heat builds across the region.
THURSDAY
A combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity will push heat index values into the 108 to 110 degree range this afternoon, prompting a heat advisory for all of East Central Florida from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Actual air temperatures are expected to climb into the middle and upper 90s across much of the region, with some communities coming within a couple degrees of daily record highs.
While the intense heat takes center stage, rain chances will remain unusually low for early July thanks to dry and dusty air filtering into the region. Only isolated (20-30%) afternoon and evening storms are expected.
WEEKEND OUTLOOK
The hotter and drier pattern continues into Friday, with only limited storm chances and temperatures once again climbing into the mid and upper 90s. Rain chances begin to recover slightly on Sunday as moisture returns to the area, bringing a more typical summertime pattern of scattered afternoon storms (40-50%).
Another factor helping to keep rain chances in check this weekend is a fresh plume of Saharan dust moving across the Atlantic and into Florida. The dry, dusty air tends to suppress widespread thunderstorm development.
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Saharan dust at Berk
The Saharan dust may also lead to hazier skies at times and could help create more colorful sunrises and sunsets across Central Florida through the weekend.