ORLANDO, Fla. – Slightly stronger south/southwest winds will pick up Thursday afternoon as a large ridge of high pressure remains in control over the Western Atlantic.
As the day goes on, humidity levels will gradually rise, but moisture will stay fairly limited. A weak disturbance to our north could trigger a few isolated showers along coastal waters by Thursday night.
Other than that, expect mostly clear to partly cloudy skies and dry conditions across most of east-Central Florida.
As for temps, it’s going to warm up Thursday, with highs reaching into the upper 70s to low 80s — pretty close to what we’d expect this time of year.
Thursday night’s total lunar eclipse:
Thursday night, winds will ease off a bit and temperatures will dip into the mid 50s.
Most of the viewing area should have mostly clear skies overnight and into early Friday morning. Some patchy fog can’t be ruled out across far western counties, including Marion and Sumter. The total lunar eclipse will reach totality at 2:59 a.m. early Friday.
To read more on the science and timing behind this year’s eclipse, click here.
Friday & Saturday
Expect Friday’s highs to move into the low to mid-80s with a light breeze in place. Friday’s winds will be light and variable, with a weak sea breeze developing in the afternoon.
Saturday & Sunday
Get ready for the warmest days of the year so far as we head into the weekend.
Temperatures will climb above average on Saturday with some inland areas reaching the mid to upper 80s on Saturday, with coastal communities in the low 80s.
Sunday, a big trough of low pressure will swing through the Southeast U.S., pushing a cold front across the region.
Southerly winds will keep things warm, with morning temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Highs will be around 10 degrees above normal, reaching the mid to upper 80s for much of the area, and maybe even hitting 90 for some inland neighborhoods.
Temperatures in this range could get close to records, especially in Sanford and Leesburg.
Rain chances will start to go up as we move into late Sunday afternoon, with the best shot for showers and storms coming Sunday evening through the overnight as the front moves through.
Right now, it looks like rain chances will be in the 30-50% range, with some storms possibly turning stronger, especially later in the day.
Behind the front, we’ll dry out on Monday, and temperatures will return closer to normal, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. By Wednesday, we’ll see things warm up again, with temps back in the low 80s.