Storms bring heavy rain, lightning to Central Florida

Orlando Weather Forecast: Sept. 20, 2023

Rain chances increase on Wednesday evening and continue through Friday. It will be breezy and there is the possibility that a tropical system could develop off Florida's Atlantic Coast. Cooler temperatures arrive this weekend.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Tonight's low: 75 degrees | Tomorrow's high: 87 degrees

Main weather concerns: Central Florida weather this Wednesday ends on a stormy note. Severe weather could linger in the evening hours bringing the potential for heavy rain, lightning, and hail. Coverage will pan out in the 60-70% range. Expect scattered showers and storms through 10 p.m.

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BEACHES:
Rain chances will be possible on Thursday before 12 p.m. with increasing coverage after 3 p.m. There's also a moderate risk of rip currents. Surf is in the 1-2' range as a disorganized NE wind swell pulses through the local surf zones.

THEME PARKS:
Expect mixed skies and warm 80s at the attractions on Thursday. Rain chances will be possible before 12 p.m., looking rather slight. The afternoon brings higher coverage, up to 60%. Heavy rain and lightning will be the primary threats.

OUTLOOK:
There is a 40% chance that an area of low pressure will develop East of Florida through Friday. Florida remains on the West side of the low and this means impacts primarily in the coastal areas. Gusty Northerly winds (around 30 mph) and perhaps some rain could be in play there. The window for these impacts appears to be rather limited on Friday. Winds will ease on Saturday as the low (whatever it looks like) moves Northeast and closer to the Carolinas. Both rising seas and surf locally look likely. Coastal flooding could also materialize North of Cape Canaveral.

Subtropical system could develop off coast

A subtropical system could develop off of Florida's Atlantic Coast over the next 24 hours. A low-pressure system is expected to form along a stationary front.

TRACKING THE TROPICS:
Hurricane Nigel remains a Category 2 storm in the open Atlantic Ocean. Nigel will likely remain out at sea with no impact to land. Elsewhere, another tropical wave off the west coast of Africa has a 70% of development over the next 7 days. If this becomes a named storm, it will be Ophelia. An area of non-tropical low pressure is forecast to form off the east coast of Florida/ SE U.S. later this week.

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This system could acquire some subtropical characteristics this weekend if it remains offshore and draws closer to the Carolinas over the weekend. Coastal impacts along central Florida and the southeastern US are likely.