Orlando woke up to a wall of humidity and blazing sun today, with the National Weather Service slapping a Heat Advisory on much of east‑central Florida. Forecasters are calling for an afternoon high near 98°F, with feels‑like (heat index) readings pushing into the 105 to 110°F range at times, more than enough to make extended outdoor plans a bad idea. Think twice about mid‑day errands and skip strenuous work outside while the advisory is active.
Heat Advisory Details
The Heat Advisory runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service in Melbourne expects peak heat index values up to 110°F in some inland spots and is urging people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air‑conditioned room, stay out of the sun. The National Weather Service in Melbourne has the full text of the advisory along with the hour‑by‑hour forecast.
What To Expect Today
Sun will dominate through the first half of the day, with the sea breeze keeping a few coastal neighborhoods slightly cooler while inland areas bake. Afternoon highs should land near 98°F, and the thick humidity will make it feel significantly hotter by mid‑afternoon. A few isolated pop‑up storms may bubble up later in the day, but coverage looks limited, so do not count on rain to cool things down.
Storm Risk Into The Weekend
Rain chances climb into the weekend. Saturday carries about a 50% chance for afternoon storms, with even better coverage expected into next week. Any storm that does develop can pack frequent lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Forecasters add that a few stronger cells could produce damaging wind gusts and very heavy downpours, which means localized delays and disruptions for outdoor events.
Relief And Local Resources
Orange County keeps a list of cooling locations and will coordinate transit access once the heat index hits 103°F. LYNX has recently stepped in with free rides to county cooling centers during heat events. Orange County posts details on sites, hours and how to get there.
Bottom Line
Take heat precautions Friday from late morning through early evening, especially for children, older adults and anyone working outdoors. The intense heat sticks around into the weekend with scattered storms in the mix, so aim for morning or evening outdoor plans and keep an air‑conditioned backup ready.
