Orlando Weather: Pleasant Friday in store for Central Florida ahead of warm Saturday

ORLANDO, Fla. - It is expected to be a quiet, mild night with mostly cloudy skies. Lows will fall into the low to mid-60s. Some patchy fog is possible in inland areas across North Central Florida, including Ocala and Gainesville.

FRIDAY: The day will begin cloudy, but some sunshine should mix in by the afternoon. Highs will warm into the upper 70s to mid-80s as winds turn to the southeast. Rain chances should be minimal, with only a few passing showers possible in the afternoon.

BEACH FORECAST: Warmer temperatures along the Atlantic Coast with highs into the upper 70s and an onshore wind. A moderate rip current risk continues to swim carefully.

THEME PARK FORECAST: Friday will be a warm and humid day at the parks, with highs in the mid-80s. A stray afternoon shower is possible, but expect partly cloudy skies otherwise.

THE WEEKEND AND BEYOND: Record-challenging heat arrives on Saturday, with temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90s in the city. Orlando's record for March 9 is 89 degrees, set in 1902, and we could tie or break that record. It'll be breezy, with a SW wind that could gust up to 25 mph at times in the afternoon.

Late in the evening, areas around and north of Gainesville will have to keep an eye on the radars for storms approaching that could be strong to severe. That is with a cold front that comes across the state during the morning and midday Sunday with a few rain showers and many clouds. 

The final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational will be a bit cloudy with sprinkles but nothing major. Early next week it will be much cooler, drier, and brighter, with comfortable nights and pleasant afternoons in the mid-70s for highs!