Rain chances rise ahead of weekend cooldown; tropics still churning

ORLANDO, Fla. – A system in the tropics could become the next named storm of the 2018 hurricane season.

The system is about 950 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.

"Showers and thunderstorms are gradually becoming better organized in association with the broad area of low pressure," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said.

The National Hurricane Center said the system has a 60 percent chance of tropical development over the next two days and an 80 percent chance over the next five days.

"Most of the computer models have it turning north after it makes a westerly turn, keeping it away from the United States," Bridges said.

The next named storm will be called Oscar.

Orlando-area forecast

"The big story for Central Florida is the change in temperatures as we head into the weekend," Bridges said. "Ahead of the change, we have to deal with some rain."

Expect rain Thursday morning across Central Florida as it pushes in from the east.

"We will also see the chance for a few thunderstorms in the afternoon," Bridges said. "The risk of severe weather is nonexistent."

Rain chances will be off and on at 50 percent on Thursday and Friday.

Orlando will see a high in the mid-80s. The average high on this date is 83.

Highs will be in the upper 70s over the weekend. Lows could dip into the 40s in northern areas of the region. Most of Central Florida will see lows in the 50s.

An early look at the Halloween forecast shows highs in the upper 70s, with little chance of rain.

Watch News 6 for more weather updates.