Orlando residents and visitors are bracing for mixed weather as the year winds down. Reports indicate that the National Weather Service in Melbourne forecasts increasing chances of rain and lightning storms ahead of a cold front due to sweep through the area today. As this weather system approaches, winds are expected to pick up, with gusts potentially reaching 25 mph. These conditions pose a high risk for rip currents along the beaches, so beachgoers should stay alert.
The arrival of the cold front is predicted to usher in a drier weather pattern for the coming week. Those planning New Year’s festivities can look forward to seasonably warm conditions through Tuesday, with above-normal temperatures that could peak into the low 80s, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne, FL. However, as we advance into the week, a cooldown is anticipated, with highs dipping into the 60s and 70s and nighttime lows that might have Central Floridians reaching for an extra blanket.
Marine conditions are less than ideal, with a Small Craft Advisory in effect due to southerly winds ramping up to 15 to 25 knots ahead of the front, causing seas to build to 5 to 7 feet locally. At the same time, the chances of rain and storms are set to increase throughout the day. Any storms that develop may pack lightning strikes, wind gusts, and heavy downpours, all combining to create less than stellar conditions for boating enthusiasts along the Atlantic, the advisory cautions.
On the aviation front, pilots and passengers should prepare for variable conditions characterized by MVFR/IFR ceilings and visibility that are anticipated to be prevalent today. Showers and the potential for thunderstorms will show up after 16Z. Although the National Weather Service points to a decreasing trend in shower activity by early Monday, pilots should remain vigilant for the potential for low stratus and dense fog development on Monday morning that could affect air travel schedules.
