Rain drenches Central Florida; threat of severe weather in forecast

ORLANDO, Fla. – Much-needed rain drenched a large portion of Central Florida on Monday, and severe storms are possible in the next 48 hours.

"We are pinpointing the chance for strong to severe storms rolling in Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said. "Some of those storms could be severe with strong winds, lightning and heavy rain."

Rain chances will be 40 percent on Tuesday in the Orlando area, with a high of 90 degrees. The average high on this date is 89. 

"We did get rain yesterday, just as predicted," Bridges said. "Officially, 1.26 inches of rain fell at the airport. That now takes our deficit down a little bit to 8.54 inches for the year."

Rain chances jump to 80 percent on Wednesday.

"A front associated with moisture brings the chance for strong to severe storms Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday night and early Thursday," Bridges said. "That drive to work on Thursday morning could be stormy."

Expect highs in the upper 80s on Wednesday.

Highs will be in the mid-80s on Thursday.

"Rain chances are out of here from Friday through Sunday," Bridges said. "There's a 20 percent chance of rain on Sunday and Memorial Day."

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