Orlando residents and visitors may want to reconsider heading to the beach or taking their boats out today, as a high risk for dangerous rip currents and rough surf continues to affect Central Florida's coastal areas, as the National Weather Service Melbourne, FL reports. Though boating conditions are expected to improve briefly, late in the week, it is forecasted to be poor to hazardous once again.
Holiday wanderers out early might have stumbled upon patchy fog, particularly over the western interior and inland Volusia County, with the potential for visibility reductions to one mile or less. The National Weather Service advises, "Remember to use your low beam headlights and to leave plenty of distance ahead of you if you encounter fog." Any remaining fog should dissipate following the morning's sunrise.
Forecasts for today tend towards dry weather as high pressure asserts itself over the northeastern U.S. Isolated showers are still on the agenda for areas south of Cape Canaveral and local Atlantic waters. Temperature-wise, Orlando expects a seasonable warmth with highs ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s under mostly cloudy skies.
Looking to the skies, aviators might find varying conditions as VFR prevails at most terminals, with some IFR/LIFR CIGs persisting, notably at SUA, but should clear up post-sunrise. "VFR conditions at all terminals except for SUA this morning," noted the National Weather Service in a statement provided by forecast.weather.gov. Nearby mariners should note that conditions are improving into Thursday, but there will be a resurgence of poor conditions into the weekend. Persistent onshore flows and the potential for showers, including possible isolated lightning storms on Sunday, should be considered when planning any late-week aquatic adventures.
As the weekend approaches, the extended forecast suggests a mixed bag. There are increasing chances of rain on Friday, as a cold front is poised to slide down from the northeast on Sunday. While scattered showers are certain, meteorologists are at odds regarding the strength and southern reach of the accompanying low-pressure system. Residents can expect a mostly sunny start the following week after the front's passage, with temperatures staying pleasantly within the low to mid-70s range.
All in all, residents in the Orlando area should keep an eye on the weather, whether they're planning for post-holiday beach excursions, boating trips, or simply wondering how many layers to wear. The most current information and advisories are at the official National Weather Service.
