ORLANDO, Fla. – Drier air will keep storm chances low across Central Florida today before a more typical afternoon storm pattern returns this weekend.
Thursday
A much drier air mass has moved into Central Florida, limiting shower and thunderstorm development Thursday. Aside from a few isolated coastal showers early this morning and a stray inland storm later this afternoon, most communities will stay dry.
Highs will reach the low 90s along the coast, while much of the I-4 corridor warms into the mid to upper 90s. Heat index values will still top 100 to 105 degrees.
Friday
Moisture begins returning Friday, bringing scattered (30-40%) afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms back to much of Central Florida. The highest rain chances will be from the Orlando metro southward, while areas farther north may stay a little drier.
A few stronger storms could produce frequent lightning, wind gusts over 40 mph, and locally heavy downpours.
Weekend outlook
The forecast calls for a return to a more typical Florida summer pattern this weekend as winds shift out of the southwest and deeper tropical moisture spreads across the state.
Scattered to numerous afternoon and evening thunderstorms (40-50%) are expected Saturday through early next week, with the greatest coverage likely from Orlando southward and along the east coast during the late afternoon and evening as sea breezes collide.
While rain chances increase, the heat isn’t going anywhere. High temperatures will remain in the low to mid 90s for most locations, with parts of the interior climbing into the upper 90s Saturday. Heat index values could approach Heat Advisory levels in some areas, especially inland.