ORLANDO, Fla. – Thousands of runners are hitting the pavement at Walt Disney World this weekend for runDisney’s Marathon Weekend.
The event kicked off Thursday and a lineup of races is happening through Sunday, including the half-marathon and full marathon.
At the same time, a strengthening cold front is bringing a big shift in our weather pattern.
The cold front will approach by Saturday morning, bringing the possibility of strong storms and frequent lightning (70-80%) along the front.
Through the first half of the day, a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) remains in place for severe weather, with a chance for damaging winds, small hail and even a brief tornado. With this threat in place, a WEATHER ALERT DAY has been called for your Saturday.
The half-marathon is set to begin at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, a few hours before a line of possible strong storms will come through the area. Disney announced it was starting the race a little early because of the weather, and has also modified the course of the race.
The front will stall just south by Saturday night, with lingering showers sticking around for areas south of Orlando and Cape Canaveral into the early Sunday morning.
The only chance for rain comes around 6 a.m. on Sunday.
By late Sunday afternoon and into the evening, conditions are expected to improve, with skies gradually clearing. Highs on Saturday will hold in the mid-70s, but temps will be in the mid-60s behind the front on Sunday.
Click here to check out the forecast for the beginning of next week when another front is expected to come through the area.
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