Orlando woke up in full summer mode, with a hot, sticky morning under clear skies and temperatures near 77°F at Orlando Executive Airport and dew points in the mid 70s. Forecasters expect highs to climb to around 96°F this afternoon, with humidity making it feel much hotter by midafternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely to bubble up after about 2 p.m., so if your plans hinge on dry weather, have an indoor backup ready. The twin hazards on tap today are the dangerous heat and sudden heavy downpours that can quickly cut visibility and make roads slick.
Heat Advisory And What To Watch
The National Weather Service has posted a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday for much of east central Florida, including Orange County, with heat index values expected to reach 108 to 110°F in some spots. If you do not have reliable air conditioning, officials are urging you to drink plenty of fluids, limit outdoor time during the advisory hours, and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets. Forecasters say a combination of mid 90s air temperatures and dew points in the mid 70s will push feels-like readings into dangerous territory, according to the National Weather Service.
Where To Find Cool Air
Orange County recently lowered the heat index threshold for opening public cooling centers, which means county sites can open sooner during heat events. Residents without dependable AC are encouraged to call 311 or check county listings to see which locations are active, and to note that some sites limit pets and overall capacity. For full details on how the program works and what to expect at a cooling center, see Orange County.
Afternoon Storm Window
As the sea breeze kicks inland later today, forecasters expect it to collide with the west coast breeze and fire up scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms after about 2 p.m. There is roughly a 50% chance of storms across the metro area, with localized heavy rain possible. Stronger storms could bring frequent lightning, brief downpours capable of dropping from a few tenths of an inch to a few inches of rain, and wind gusts up to 40 to 60 mph. Forecasters also flag a marginal risk for severe storms across parts of east central Florida on Friday. A moderate rip current risk will continue at Atlantic beaches into late week. If you have outdoor plans, line up an indoor fallback and avoid exposed metal during storms, according to the National Weather Service.
Beaches, Commutes And Outdoor Plans
Atlantic beaches will deal with rougher surf and a continued rip current threat, so swim only near lifeguards and avoid going in alone. Late afternoon storms and sudden downpours could slow commutes and lead to brief low water flooding on poorly drained streets, so build in extra travel time, keep your phone charged, and bring water along for the ride.
