ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida remains under the influence of a large ridge of high pressure over the western Atlantic, which will keep the region dry, warm and breezy for one more day.
Highs on Wednesday will be noticeably warmer into the midday hours, with highs climbing above normal into the upper 80s due to a southerly wind flow gusting at 15-25 mph.
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Lows Wednesday night remain warmer than normal, holding in the 70s through daybreak on Thursday.
Breezy conditions will turn windy early Thursday, with southwesterly winds at 20-25 mph and gusts upward of 40 mph. A wind advisory will likely be issued by then.
By Thursday afternoon, a system that has already sparked severe weather and flash flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana will track into Central Florida, increasing the threat for strong to severe storms by the afternoon.
The latest forecast shows a line of showers and storms approaching northern counties by noon, with the threat shifting toward the I-4 corridor by 3 p.m. and finally clearing Brevard County by 6 p.m.
As the line tracks over the area, models show the line gradually weakening. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted areas north of I-4 as a Slight Risk (level 2/5) for severe storms and a Marginal Risk (level 1/5) for areas south of I-4.
With temperatures nearing 90 degrees before the storms arrive, plenty of instability will be available for producing strong, damaging wind gusts and an isolated threat for a brief tornado.
Beachgoers and boaters beware both Wednesday and Thursday! With the wind speeds on the rise, rough surf and breaking waves of 4-5 feet will be found up and down our Atlantic beaches, producing a high risk of rip currents.
Drier and cooler weather settles in by Friday and into the weekend, with highs returning to the mid- to low 80s.