Orlando is starting Saturday, August 1, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 79 degrees, but the calm will not last. Highs are expected to reach about 92 degrees before showers and thunderstorms become likely after noon. The heat index could climb as high as 102, making the morning the better window for outdoor plans.
Afternoon Storms Could Bring Lightning And Flooding
Storm chances should rise quickly around midday, with the best odds arriving from roughly 2 p.m. through late afternoon. The National Weather Service in Melbourne says frequent lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will be the main hazards, while a small chance remains for more than 3 inches of rain in less than two hours.
That heavier rain could cause localized flooding in Orlando’s urban areas and other places with poor drainage. The forecast calls for only about a tenth to a quarter-inch of rain in many locations, but stronger storms may drop much more in a short time. No local watches, warnings or advisories were listed with the early Saturday forecast.
Sunday Keeps The Stormy Pattern Going
Sunday will be slightly cooler, with a high near 89 degrees, but storm coverage is expected to remain high. Showers could begin earlier than usual, followed by another round of thunderstorms during the day as temperatures rise.
Some Sunday storms may produce gusts of 50 to 55 mph, with a very small chance of an isolated gust near 60 mph. Anyone heading to parks, pools, sports fields or outdoor attractions should have a way to move indoors quickly when thunder approaches.
More Heat And Daily Storm Chances Next Week
Monday and Tuesday will return to highs near 91 and 92 degrees, with thunderstorms likely mainly after 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday stays hot and muggy as well, with highs around 92 to 93 degrees and daily storm chances ranging from 50% to 70%.
For Saturday’s storms, the safest plan is simple: go inside when thunder is heard, avoid flooded roadways and do not shelter beneath trees. The forecast pattern favors repeated afternoon disruptions, so keeping outdoor plans flexible may save the day from becoming a soggy scramble.
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