Orlando woke Thursday, May 28, to clear skies and air you could practically drink: about 75°F at daybreak with dew points in the low 70s. That quiet, muggy start will not hold. A deep, humid flow is poised to fire up scattered to numerous storms later in the day, with showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m. Highs should peak near 89°F, and the heat index could creep into the low 100s during the hottest stretch.
Afternoon Storms And Flooding Risk
The main show runs from late morning into the evening, when showers and thunderstorms stand about a 70% chance of visiting many neighborhoods. Brief but heavy downpours are on the table. Forecast storm totals of 1.5–2.5 inches are possible over the next several days, with isolated 3+ inch amounts if storms repeatedly track over the same spots. That raises the risk of localized urban flooding.
The primary hazards: frequent lightning, sudden gusty winds, and quick ponding on roads. Forecasters tie those threats to a deep, humid onshore flow, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Beaches, Boaters And The Coast
The Atlantic side is especially dicey today. A High risk of life‑threatening rip currents is in effect for central Florida beaches, and heading into the surf is strongly discouraged. Nearshore seas are choppy at about 2–4 feet this morning, expected to relax some over the weekend before building again early next week. Thunderstorms can whip up sudden breakers and strong gusts on top of that.
Boaters are urged to check marine forecasts and give storm cells a wide berth. Swimmers should stick to lifeguarded beaches and follow posted flags without argument.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor plans on Thursday, May 28, front-load them into the morning and line up a dry backup for the afternoon and evening. Pockets of heavy rain can bubble up quickly. On the roads, be ready for sudden downpours that can slow the commute and cause brief street ponding. Keep the rain gear handy and expect on-and-off lightning.
For more on how this pattern is shaping up, see how Orlando sizzles early.
