Orlando woke up to a steamy start Tuesday, with clear skies, muggy air and early temperatures in the low 70s that felt even stickier thanks to the humidity. By mid to late afternoon, highs are expected to reach around 89 to 90°F, with just an isolated chance of showers or thunderstorms mainly between about 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. East-northeast winds will ramp up to 5 to 15 mph, with higher gusts behind the sea breeze, so it could feel a bit blustery at times. Along the Atlantic beaches, dangerous surf is the main headline, and getting in the water is strongly discouraged.
Afternoon Storms And Gusty Winds
The sea breeze is expected to shove most of the afternoon storm action inland and to the west, which means much of the Orlando metro stays on the drier side while interior areas get the better shot at pop-up storms. Forecasters put local rain chances at a low 20 to 30 percent, but any storm that does bubble up could pack brief heavy rain and strong wind gusts. Plan on sustained east winds of 5 to 15 mph, with gusts near 20 to 25 mph and the possibility of even higher gusts inside stronger storms.
High Rip Current Risk
The National Weather Service in Melbourne is warning that a High risk of life-threatening rip currents continues along all central Florida Atlantic beaches, and that “entering the dangerous surf is strongly discouraged.” NWS Melbourne is telling beachgoers to swim only near lifeguards and to follow posted flags without argument. If you are caught in a rip current, the advice is to float and signal for help instead of trying to power straight back to shore.
Heat And Cooling Options
Humidity is set to build through the rest of the week, pushing heat index values into the upper 90s to near 100°F by the weekend and spreading a Moderate Heat Risk across the region. For residents who do not have reliable air conditioning, the City of Orlando maintains a list of emergency cooling centers, including First United Methodist Church at 42 East Jackson Street in downtown. City of Orlando information includes hours and details on services at those locations.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor work to get done, try to tackle it in the cooler morning hours, then secure loose patio furniture before the gusty afternoons kick in, and keep plenty of water available for both people and pets. Before heading for the coast, check the latest forecast, and if you do go to the beach, follow lifeguard flags and instructions without taking chances in the surf.
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