Orlando starts Thursday with clear skies and temperatures near 79 degrees, but the calm morning will give way to dangerous heat and a stormy afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the mid-90s, with humidity pushing the heat index as high as 112 degrees across the area.
Heat Advisory Runs Through Early Evening
A Heat Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday as heat index values climb between 108 and 112 degrees. The National Weather Service in Melbourne is urging residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
Storms Build After Noon
Showers and thunderstorms become increasingly likely after noon, with the best chances arriving during the midafternoon and early evening. The National Weather Service says the strongest storms could produce wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph, along with frequent lightning, small hail and brief heavy downpours.
Storm coverage is expected to increase around 2 p.m. and remain possible through the evening, especially inland near Orlando. Rain and cloud cover should take some edge off the heat later in the day, but storms may move unpredictably and could make outdoor plans, driving and evening commutes more complicated.
Warm Nights And More Storm Chances Ahead
Thursday night stays muggy, with a low near 77 degrees and a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday bring slightly lower highs near 94 and 93 degrees, respectively, but afternoon storms remain likely, with additional chances continuing Sunday.
Temperatures stay in the lower to mid-90s into early next week, while daily thunderstorms remain part of the forecast. Heat indices should ease somewhat over the weekend and next week, though apparent temperatures may still reach 100 to 107 degrees, so outdoor plans will be safest with frequent shade, water breaks and a way to get indoors quickly.
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