Orlando weather: Saturday saw record-setting heat across Central Florida

Orlando Weather Forecast: March 9, 2024

It certainly did not feel like March today! Thanks to gusty southwest winds, highs soared into the 80s across Central Florida and allowed numerous records to be broken.

Orlando, Leesburg, and Daytona Beach were among those, with Orlando at 90 degrees (the previous record was 89, set in 1905), Leesburg at 88 degrees (the previous record of 87, set in 1991), and Daytona Beach at 87 degrees (the previous record of 85, set in 2022). Sanford tied its daily record high today at 89 degrees (the previous record of 89, set in 1974). All of these sites also broke daily low temperatures.

Typically, we do not see highs this warm until early May. Today was the first time we have hit 90 in Orlando since October 13 of last year. This isn't terribly unusual, given the wild swings we experience during the spring in Central Florida. Last year, we actually saw 90 in Orlando as soon as March 3.

A cold front is expected to arrive overnight and help cool us back down into Sunday. Storms and showers are expected to push through our area ahead of this front. The storm chances will keep mainly in North Central Florida this evening and gradually become showers as they move farther south overnight. An isolated severe storm remains possible with damaging winds the most likely risk.

BEACH FORECAST: Our Central Florida beaches will see highs reach the mid-70s with a breezy offshore wind and a chance of rain. A moderate rip current risk continues through the weekend, so swim carefully.

THEME PARK FORECAST: It'll be another humid day with highs in the mid-70s and a rain chance.

For Sunday, lows will begin in the mid-to upper 60s, with scattered showers gradually exiting Central Florida. Most should be dry by lunchtime, with a pleasant afternoon expected and highs in the mid-70s.

LOOKING AHEAD: Cooler and less humid air returns next week. Highs will drop back into the 70s, with lows in the 50s through Tuesday. We'll gradually see warmer weather make a return to end the week. As for rain chances, a Gulf system could bring rain on Wednesday and Thursday, but overall, chances are on the lower end for now.