Orlando weather: Afternoon storms return on Thursday across Central Florida

Tropical wave could impact Florida by weekend

We are tracking a tropical wave that has the potential to become a tropical depression or tropical storm by the end of the weekend or early next week.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Scattered showers and storms are forecast to develop on Thursday, with the greatest chance for afternoon storms across the interior counties.

Some stronger storms will continue to be possible, with frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds of 40-50 mph, and locally heavy rainfall being the main threats. Highs in the low to mid-90s will produce sweltering conditions.

Tracking the Tropics

As the 2024 hurricane season approaches its peak months, a large tropical wave near the Lesser Antilles could threaten Florida.

While the system was still a broad area of disorganized rain and thunderstorms Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said it has a 60% chance of becoming better defined in the next week as it moves toward the Bahamas and potentially most of Florida. There is growing concern that this system could stall over Florida, producing heavy rain.

The disturbance is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorm activity. Development isn't expected in the short term, but forecasters say that environmental conditions are favorable for development as the tropical wave moves west-northwestward toward the Bahamas and Cuba.

Storms were firing around Puerto Rico on Wednesday evening, but there was still no center of circulation for the winds. What path this takes over the islands through Friday will significantly impact the eventual strength and impact.

Where precisely this system will track remains very tricky. Guidance all shifted dramatically west on Wednesday.