Orlando is bracing for a mixed bag of weather this week. A notable cooldown will kick off the work week, followed by a gradual climb in temperature ahead of another cold front poised to sweep through by Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL. Mariners are also on alert, as poor to hazardous boating conditions are expected to continue across the coastal waters today.
After the cold front's passage, Monday's early morning temperatures hovered generously in the mid to upper 40s northwest of I-4. In comparison, the mercury reached into the 60s along portions of the Treasure Coast. A northerly breeze riding in at about 10-15 mph is serving up a cooler, drier spell, with today's highs slated to hit the 60s along Volusia County's coast, stretching south-west through Orlando metro to Melbourne and peaking in the low to mid-70s further south. The National Weather Service promises "dry conditions will prevail" despite a scattering of clouds lingering over Martin County.
Sailing conditions are particularly prickly today; a Small Craft Advisory is notably in effect until 4 PM EST for the offshore waters of Volusia and Brevard counties, which is expected to include the Treasure Coast's offshore waters. Seas over the Gulf Stream are anticipated to build up to 7 feet. Nearshore, boats should use caution with seas up to 6 feet flagged along the Treasure Coast shores. Conditions are set to improve by Tuesday as winds relent and veer onshore.
Looking ahead, Wednesday weather whips up the wind again as an area of low pressure takes shape over the northern Gulf coast, with the encroaching system bound to bump up moisture levels and rain chances, mainly north of Okeechobee County and the Treasure Coast, with PoPs highest north of Okeechobee County and the Treasure Coast (up to 60-80%), as the service's aviation section points out. While overall instability seems low, with lightning potential cited at around 20%, a few storms might still crackle, especially over coastal waters. In the wake of this system, temperatures are on a descending trajectory, plunging into the 50s Wednesday night.
