ORLANDO, Fla. – Sweltering heat continues for the weekend as a ridge of high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere and Saharan Dust create the perfect recipe for high heat.
Overnight lows will only drop into the upper 70s to low 80s under mostly clear skies thanks to the dust drying out our atmosphere. We will keep a few isolated showers early evening, mainly around the I-75 corridor, until around 9-10pm. Rain chances nose dive after that.
Our scorching temperatures continue this weekend as we get a thicker plume of Saharan dust working in, in-tandem with our upper level ridge. Highs will once again climb into the mid-upper 90s with our “feels like” temperatures up to 112ºF. Heat advisories are likely Saturday.
One difference is a slight bump in moisture thanks to a cold front moving into the panhandle, allowing for slightly higher rain chances to cool us off. Due to the dust and high pressure, showers will fire up a little later than usual, sparking mid-afternoon and lasting a little after sunset. Coverage will peak at around 40% by 5pm.
By Sunday, a thicker plume of Saharan Dust will have made its way into Central Florida. This will keep our temperatures scorching and help to curb widespread shower chances. Due to moisture over the panhandle from the front, it will be a battle of moisture vs dust to see who wins. Moisture looks to be mostly contained Marion County northward, rain chances look lower the farther south you go as dust continues to work in. Highs will hit the mid 90s with heat index values up to 108ºF.