Orlando is starting Thursday with partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-70s, but the quiet morning will give way to another hot, stormy Central Florida afternoon. Highs should reach about 89 degrees before showers and thunderstorms become more likely after noon, with the greatest activity expected from midafternoon into the evening.
Thursday Storms Could Bring Heavy Rain
The National Weather Service in Melbourne puts Orlando's rain chance near 50% Thursday. Storms may produce frequent lightning, brief but heavy downpours and wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph in stronger cells, while a few spots could receive 1 to 3 inches of rain in about an hour.
Thursday night stays warm and unsettled, with storms mainly before 9 p.m. and a low near 75. Anyone heading outdoors should have a quick indoor escape plan once thunder starts, since lightning can arrive well ahead of the heaviest rain.
Friday Through Sunday Stay Hot And Humid
Friday brings a high near 90 and a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Saturday looks much the same, with another high around 90 and a 70% storm chance after 2 p.m., while Sunday could reach 90 degrees with a 50% to 70% chance of afternoon storms.
Heat indices could climb into the upper 90s to low 100s, and the weather service has placed much of east-central Florida under a Moderate HeatRisk. That means people who are sensitive to heat should plan for shade, frequent water breaks and reliable access to air conditioning, especially before storms arrive.
Storm Chances Continue Into Next Week
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely Monday, with an 80% rain chance and a high near 89, before Tuesday turns cooler but considerably wetter with a 90% chance of rain and storms and a high near 84.
Wednesday stays mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms still possible, a high near 83 and northeast winds that could gust to 25 mph. For Orlando residents making plans several days out, the safest bet is to schedule outdoor time early and keep a backup plan ready through the middle of next week.
