As Orlando residents seek reprieve under umbrellas and the solace of air-conditioned rooms, the National Weather Service Melbourne, FL, reminds us that Mother Nature is turning up the heat and wringing out the skies this weekend. According to the latest forecast, scattered showers and storms are expected to erupt, particularly in the afternoon and evening, with a “Marginal Risk for Excessive Rainfall.”
The pressing heat is another factor for locals to consider. Thermometers are expected to soar, with peak heat indices between 102 to 107 degrees. This spike in temperature is a continuation of what seems to be an endless stretch of intense Florida heat.
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests little change over the coming week. Mid-level ridging is anticipated to hold firm across the southern United States. While this pattern will extend certain benefits, such as rain for parched regions, it bears the burden of areas that will get too much precipitation. The update insists that residents prepare for continued warm temperatures and high dewpoints, underscoring the area's persistent hot and muggy pattern.
The weather impacts are not solely landlocked, as marine conditions are also subject to the whims of this tropical moisture. Sailors and those venturing onto the water can expect a southerly flow this weekend at 7-10 knots, and seas are projected to settle to around 2 feet by mid-next week. According to NWS, it’s a mixed bag of onshore and offshore winds, but with “deep moisture will remain place keeping rain and storm chances high,” mariners must stay vigilant of the forecast and ever-present risk of offshore moving storms.
Regarding local travel, aviation interests will also want to keep an eye on the skies. The probability for scattered showers continues to disrupt the clear blue, and within this reality, the occasional temporary drop in visibility to MVFR conditions can be expected. The sea breeze's afternoon arrival will drive shower activity inland, raising additional considerations for inland flight schedules, as per the early morning Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) issued. VCTS, or thunderstorms in the vicinity, are a notable inclusion for the inland terminals.
