Orlando residents, prepare for another warm spell and monitor local fog conditions. According to the National Weather Service, the fog creeping inland from the Gulf is expected to reach Lake County. By sunrise, it could stretch as far east as the I-4 corridor, possibly warranting a Dense Fog Advisory for Lake County. "Patchy radiational fog will develop, which may become locally dense, especially where it mixes with smoke from smoldering wildfires and recent prescribed burns," the forecast discussion stated.
Clearing by mid-morning, the fog will give way to another sunny day with temperatures in the low to mid-80s. Weekend weather remains warm and dry as a stationary Atlantic ridge influences conditions across east central Florida. Light winds will prevail this weekend, with temperatures forecasted to continue 5-10 degrees above normal, hitting the low 80s along the coast and mid-80s inland. Forecasters also predict widespread fog will develop across most of EC Florida Friday night into Saturday morning, which might linger along the Volusia/Brevard coasts well into the afternoon.
Marine conditions are expected to remain calm throughout the weekend due to the high-pressure ridge. A sea breeze near the coast could hit up to 10 knots in the afternoon. Waves are anticipated to stay around 2 feet, primarily due to an east swell, as the National Weather Service reported. We may witness a brief wind increase offshore Volusia County on Saturday night, potentially building combined seas up to 4 feet.
Aviators should anticipate IFR/LIFR conditions early this morning due to the fog and stratus surrounding east central Florida. Improvements are forecasted around 14Z, followed by VFR conditions for the rest of the day and evening. Winds are expected to be light, with onshore flow at coastal terminals after 17Z due to the sea breeze. The fog is forecast to return overnight, leading to potential IFR conditions beginning around 8-10Z that could persist through 14Z.
The temperature outlook remains significantly warmer than usual, with daytime highs projected to be well into the 80s at various points. There is a forecast high of 83 degrees for Orlando today and Saturday, per the preliminary point temperatures provided by the forecast discussion. Looking ahead to next week, while a series of weak cool fronts may make their way into the deep South, the Atlantic ridge will likely keep them from reaching central Florida, thereby keeping rain chances low and continuing the warmer trend.
