ORLANDO, Fla. – A large ridge of high pressure continues to dominate Central Florida, keeping temperatures much warmer than normal.
A strong southwesterly breeze at 15-20 mph will warm up daytime highs to record-breaking territory near 90 degrees.
Clouds will begin to build early Wednesday as a strong spring front approaches, cranking up winds to 20-25 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. Due to the strong gusts, a wind advisory will likely be needed.
Starting Wednesday afternoon, the threat for strong to severe storms will increase as the system moves overhead. Embedded within those stronger storms will be damaging winds, small hail and heavy rainfall. Due to several ingredients needed for big storms, the storm prediction center has issued a slight risk (level 2/5) for strong to severe storms.
The latest model runs show the strongest storms approaching northern counties by noon, sliding along the I-4 corridor by 3 p.m. and exiting southeastern zones by 6 p.m.
With the majority of the area under the threat for severe weather, the New6 Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for Wednesday.
The cold front will finally sweep south of the area by Wednesday night, bringing much cooler and drier air to the region.
Temperatures are expected to take a tumble from the 80s Wednesday afternoon into the 50s by sunrise Thursday.
Thursday will remain breezy as well, with winds picking up at 30-35 mph. Highs Thursday through the weekend are expected to run well below average -- in the mid- to upper 70s.