ORLANDO, Fla. – The stretch of near-record warmth across Central Florida begins Thursday as a large surface high keeps the region under a spring-like weather pattern through the weekend.
Temperatures by Thursday afternoon will warm a degree or two more than Wednesday -- and about 10 degrees above normal -- with highs in the low 80s inland and upper 70s along the coast.
Leesburg and Sanford are forecast to get within a degree or two of record highs.
There will be a moderate breeze at 10-15mph, which will keep a slight chance of a few scattered showers into the afternoon as the east and west coast sea breezes develop and push inland. Where the boundaries collide, we will see a few afternoon and evening showers pop up on the radar. Latest models show the activity favoring areas north and west of the I-4 corridor, with chances at 20-30% after 4pm.
Even warmer weather is expected on Friday and Saturday, with highs in the mid-80s. Although conditions should remain mostly dry, there will be a small chance for an afternoon shower, primarily north and west of I-4.
Our weather pattern will begin to shift back to near normal by Sunday as a developing cold front moves into Central Florida, increasing a few showers while it passes through. Highs on Sunday will cool back into the 70s, with even cooler air early next week.
Next week, highs will remain generally in the 60s areawide, with lows into the 40s. The coldest air will be felt Tuesday night and into early Wednesday morning.