Orlando rolled into Thursday, March 12, 2026, under mostly cloudy skies and a muggy start in the low 70s, with afternoon highs aiming for about 87°F. A cold front sliding into Central Florida is set to flip the switch later in the day, pushing showers into the metro after about 2 p.m., with showers and thunderstorms likely into the evening. Gusty southwest winds could crank up to around 30 mph this afternoon, and brief heavy downpours may slow the ride home for many drivers.
Afternoon Timing And Impacts
The prime window for showers runs roughly from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with coverage increasing into the evening and some additional storms possible before 9 p.m. Any thunderstorms that pop could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning and gusty winds. Most spots should only pick up a few tenths of an inch of rain, but a few neighborhoods could see higher totals. Drivers should expect slick roads and reduced visibility during the heavier cells, and give themselves extra time if traveling this afternoon and tonight, especially on east-west routes, according to the National Weather Service.
Beaches, Boating, And Rip Currents
Conditions offshore are set to go downhill quickly. Small craft advisories kick in for parts of the local Atlantic waters this evening, with seas in the Gulf Stream forecast to build to 6 to 9 feet by daybreak. A High Risk for rip currents is also on tap for area beaches, so it is a good day to skip swimming at exposed beaches and pay attention to posted flags. For more on the early morning warmup and how the day started, check out how Orlando wakes up in a fog then bakes by afternoon.
Weekend Outlook
Medium to high rain chances stick around into the weekend, with the most widespread showers expected Sunday as onshore flow returns and deeper humidity moves in. Temperatures ease back into the upper 70s to low 80s, and another cold front is expected Monday into Monday night that could deliver additional showers. Keep an eye on updates from the National Weather Service for any shifts in timing or changes to marine advisories.
