A dangerously hot weekend is ahead for Central Florida, with limited rain and heat index values expected to soar well above 100 degrees. Forecasters are urging residents to prepare for extreme conditions, especially as heat builds Friday through Sunday.
Thursday evening may bring a few isolated thunderstorms as storm cells move northwest through the region, but the weather is expected to calm overnight. Humid skies will keep overnight lows in the mid-70s.
On Friday, a drier air mass will shift into the area, dramatically lowering rain chances and clearing skies. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-90s, with heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees.
The heat will intensify over the weekend, with highs pushing into the upper 90s by Sunday. The National Weather Service warns that heat index values could exceed 110 degrees, creating dangerous conditions, especially for vulnerable populations. Rain chances on Saturday drop to just 10%, with only a slight uptick to 30% by Sunday afternoon.
Looking ahead to early next week, forecasters expect a dramatic weather shift as tropical moisture surges back into the region. The remnants of Invest 93L, a weak tropical disturbance, are forecast to move inland near the Louisiana coast before swinging east and potentially curving back toward Florida.
This pattern may result in multiple rounds of heavy rainfall from Monday through Wednesday, increasing flood risks in already saturated areas. While the exact location of the heaviest rainfall remains uncertain, Central Florida is likely to see several inches of additional rain, raising concerns for flash flooding.
Residents are advised to stay weather-aware, limit outdoor exposure during peak heat hours, and keep an eye on evolving tropical forecasts early next week.
