Friday brings intense storms to Central Florida
Central Florida, especially around the I-4 corridor and northwest of Orlando, is bracing for a stormy Friday as a late-season cold front disrupts the usual summer setup. Storms could spark as early as the morning, with a more widespread outbreak expected by afternoon and evening.
These storms will track east-southeast at 15 to 25 mph, and while fast-moving, they’ll carry significant energy. Expect quick downpours, potentially up to 2 inches of rain, frequent lightning, and strong gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph, with isolated pockets of small hail. A few storms may even strengthen enough to push wind speeds to near 60 mph, prompting the Storm Prediction Center to issue a Marginal Risk (level 1 out of 5) for severe weather.
Beyond the storms, heat will be a major factor, with high temperatures climbing into the upper 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit (31–34°C). Combined with intense humidity, the feels-like temperatures could hit 100°F (38°C).
Saturday’s front delivers more storms, then relief
The cold front arrives early Saturday, setting off another round of morning-to-midday storms moving from north to south. While instability levels are moderate, they’re enough to support gusty winds, steady rain, and frequent lightning.
By early Saturday afternoon, most of the storm activity is forecast to shift toward the Treasure Coast, while drier air begins to take hold in northern zones. Temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal averages, hovering in the upper 80s Fahrenheit (about 31°C), with noticeably lower humidity creeping in by evening.
Sunday’s weather turns more comfortable
Sunday looks to bring a welcome break from the unsettled pattern. As humidity drops, conditions will feel markedly more comfortable, though temperatures will remain warm—topping out around the upper 80s (31°C).
Next week: Lower rain chances, rising heat
While the thunderstorm pattern won’t vanish entirely, next week signals a shift. Rain chances drop to 20–40%, and highs will rebound into the low to mid 90s (32–35°C). Storms, when they occur, will likely be more isolated and less intense than the weekend’s activity.
