ORLANDO, Fla. — A round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop late Tuesday evening across Central Florida, with the most active period likely between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Forecasters say the storms will be driven by the evening sea breeze and could produce widespread rain, heavy downpours and a few strong to severe cells. The main threats include torrential rainfall, large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated flash flooding. Some stronger storms may be capable of wind gusts of 60 mph or higher.
Storms are expected to move generally south and southeast from North Central Florida, with the line of storms stretching from the Gainesville and Ocala areas toward Melbourne. The greatest risk for severe weather appears to be north of the Orlando metro area, where lightning, gusty winds, hail and a brief isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. While some showers and weaker thunderstorms may linger after midnight, the strongest weather is expected to remain confined to the evening hours.
On Wednesday, a cold front is forecast to sweep south across the region during the morning and midday hours. That will bring mostly cloudy skies early, along with a few sprinkles or showers before drier air moves in during the afternoon. Winds are expected to become increasingly gusty through the day, especially later Wednesday, with northeast winds reaching 20 to 30 mph. Temperatures will also turn cooler, with highs mainly in the low to mid 80s across the Orlando area.
That cooler, drier pattern is expected to continue through Thursday and Friday as northeast flow keeps humidity levels lower and rain chances near zero. Forecasters say the region will see mostly sunny, dry weather with a steady breeze and a noticeable drop in humidity from Thursday through Saturday. Rain chances are expected to remain below 10% each day during that stretch.
By Sunday, however, heat and humidity will begin to build back into Central Florida. Temperatures are expected to rise into the lower 90s again, and the more typical pattern of afternoon showers and thunderstorms is expected to return early next week.
In the tropics, no areas are currently being monitored for development over the next seven days. A non-tropical storm is expected to form between Bermuda and the Carolinas on Thursday, which could increase winds and surf along beaches on the East Coast later this week. There is also a low chance of a system developing in the central Gulf later in the week. If it forms, it could briefly gain some tropical characteristics while bringing heavy rain, moist air and gusty winds. Current projections suggest the system would move north toward Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama by the weekend.
The forecast was provided by the FOX 35 Storm Team.
