The latest weather forecasts for Orlando are looking damp, to say the least. "A low threat for locally heavy rainfall and mostly minor flooding will continue this week," according to an early morning dispatch from the National Weather Service Melbourne FL. It seems that umbrellas and rain boots should be kept at hand as the skies open up and showers become a routine affair for at least the next few days.
Focusing on today, the weather service is highlighting an 80% chance of rain tailored for the region, leading to a wet start to the week. Forecasters are warning of "higher coverage of showers and storms" that could bring lightning and strong wind gusts, with afternoon highs tethered in the low to mid 80s. While the threat of flooding is characterized as minor, there's an additional caution for "isolated instances of flash flooding," according to the forecast discussion obtained by the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead, the front causing all this wet weather is stationary, meaning Orlando is stuck under a dome of deep moisture with a forecast of persistent rain through Wednesday. As the National Weather Service tells it, we can expect a continuation of scattered to numerous showers and storms until at least the middle of the week. A Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall has been maintained for the area every day, so it's a smart bet to plan for indoor activities and to watch one's step near pooled water on the streets and sidewalks.
Conditions for mariners are far from ideal. With a front anchored across coastal areas, those hitting the waters can anticipate higher than normal shower and storm action. Seas are charted to rise from 1-3 feet to as much as 3-5 feet by Tuesday. Warnings aren't spelled out in giant, illuminated letters, but the National Weather Service's forecast certainly implies that operators of smaller craft might want to keep their vessels docked and consider alternative engagements on land.
The weather service's guidance may dampen spirits, but it similarly primes us for what's to come: a city shrouded in persistent rainfall, gusty breezes along the coastline, and a climate churn that seems determined to redefine the dog days of September. So keep your jackets handy, be patient with any commute slowdowns, and remember, this, too, shall pass – hopefully alongside the deluge.
