Florida weather live updates: Flights delayed at major Florida airports | FOX 35 Orlando
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Florida weather live updates: Flights delayed at major Florida airports

By FOX 35 Digital Staff
Updated  March 16, 2025 6:13pm EDT
Weather
FOX 35 Orlando

The Brief

    • The severe storm threat for Central Florida is largely over, according to the FOX 35 Storm Team. There is still a chance of a pop-up thunderstorm, even a strong one, over the next several hours.
    • Flight delays: A ground stop at Orlando International Airport has been lifted. Though, flights to and from Orlando are delayed, some up to two hours.
    • Stay alert: Download the FOX Local app for the latest weather forecast and weather alerts.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The severe storm threat for Central Florida is largely over, according to the FOX 35 Storm Team. Outside a random pop-up thunderstorm, even a strong one, the threat of tornadoes and hail has ended.

Several counties were under a tornado watch and a few tornado warnings were issued in northern Sumter county, as well as Pinellas and Hernando counties, near Tampa. Flights are delayed at Orlando International Airport due to the weather system that moved in.

FOX 35 has ended our live weather coverage. Visit www.FOX35Orlando.com/weather for live radar, interactive weather maps, and the daily high and low temperatures. Download the FOX Local app for the latest breaking news, news, and weather headlines.

Live updates

Flight status: Orlando International Airport, Tampa Bay International, Southwestern Florida International, Miami International Airport

Those flying out of Florida's major airports, including Orlando International Airport, likely have met some flight delays. Flights are delayed at Orlando International Airport, Tampa Bay International Southwestern Florida International, and Miami International Airport due to showers and thunderstorms across the state.

Here is the latest (as of ~8:30 p.m.)

  • Orlando International Airport: Average delay of 135 minutes
  • Tampa Bay International Airport: Average delay of 60 minutes
  • Southwestern Florida International: Average delay of 60 minutes
  • Miami International Airport: Average delay of 30 minutes

Tornado warning for Polk County. Severe thunderstorm warning for Orange and Lake Counties

Update: These warnings have been allowed to expire.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Lake and Orange counties, near the Walt Disney World theme parks. That warning has issued until 8:45 p.m. Main threats: 60 mph winds, rain.

The alert mentioned that a tornado was possible, though a tornado warning had not been issued.

Polk County was under a tornado warning until 8:30 p.m. 

Sunday night weather forecast - What's next?

According to the FOX 35 Storm Team, the line of storms that has made its way through Central Florida has weakened and the majority of the severe weather threat has lessened. There is still the chance for a thunderstorm, even a strong thunderstorm, to develop over the next several hours – and into the overnight hours.

Outside of that, the rest of the evening is expected to be humid, warm, and rainy.

Power outage maps

Tornado watch advisories have expired

Tornado watches that were issued earlier on Sunday have been allowed to expire, according to forecasters. Click here for current weather alerts. 

Ground stop lifted at Orlando International Airport; flights delayed

The ground stop at Orlando International Airport has been lifted, though flights arriving to Orlando and flights departing Orlando are heavily delayed. The FAA's National Airspace System Status reports flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) are delayed an average of 90 minutes. Flights departing from OIA are delayed an average of 2 hours.

Check flight status: It's recommended to check your flight's status with your airline.

Sumter County tornado warning

A tornado warning has been issued for Sumter County until 5:30 p.m. That warning has since expired.

Citrus County tornado warning

4:37 p.m. - Tornado warning issued for Citrus County.

Florida severe weather update: 3:15 p.m.

FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Laurel Blanchard gives the latest updates on Florida's severe storms and tornadoes. Here's what to know about the latest weather alerts, storm forecast, timeline and main weather threats.

2:57 p.m. - Citrus County tornado watch extended through 5 p.m.

2:50 p.m. - Flagler County tornado watch extended through 5 p.m.

Flights halted, delayed at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa Bay International (TPA)

2:32 p.m. - Flights to Orlando and Tampa have been grounded due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Flights from Orlando are delayed an average of 90 minutes, while flights from Tampa are delayed an average of 60 minutes and increasing. 

2:24 p.m. - Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Alachua and Marion counties. About 60 mph wind gusts and nickel-size hail. Large hail, damaging wind and continuous cloud-to-ground lightning are occurring with this storm. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 3 p.m. for northern and northeastern Florida.

12:11 p.m. - A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for parts of Alachua and Gilchrist counties through 12:30 p.m., but the warning was canceled soon after. The warning stated that the storm is moving to the northeast at 40 mph and is producing 60 mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail. Heavy rain and lightning is associated with the storm, and it has the potential of producing a tornado.

8 a.m. - At least 20 counties in Florida – including Alachua, Dixie, Flagler and Marion continues in north-central Florida – are under a tornado watch until at least 3 p.m.

What's the difference? A tornado WATCH means there is the potential for a tornado to form. A tornado WARNING means there is a radar-indicated or tornado spotter-confirmed tornado on the ground. When a tornado warning is issued, get inside immediately and find the most-interior room in your house, such as a closet, bathroom or room. You want to get away from windows, doors and outside walls.

RELATED: Florida tornadoes and severe weather: How to prepare and what to do

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Sunday Forecast & Timeline

What we know:

It will be hot, humid and sunny in Central Florida to start the day before storms and potential severe weather arrive on Sunday afternoon and evening. Highs will reach the upper 80s and low 90s.

The unstable air, as well as the dynamics in the atmosphere, will make for a severe weather threat this afternoon into the evening. 

Main weather threats

The main weather threats are strong thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph, and hail up to 1" in diameter. There is also the potential for one or two tornadoes, according to forecasters. 

When does the worst weather reach Orlando, Central Florida?

Storms are expected to reach Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist and Marion counties – those who watch us on FOX 51 – by early afternoon. The storm system is expected to reach the Orlando metro by late afternoon and evening. 

Timeline:

  • Ocala/Gainesville/The Villages: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Orlando/Sanford/Daytona Beach: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Titusville/Cocoa Beach/St. Cloud: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

The severe weather threat should end by midnight, as the storms make their way out of Central Florida. 

Monday Forecast

What's next:

Monday will be beautiful and much cooler compared to our Sunday. Highs fall back into the lower to middle 70s, and it'll feel a lot comfier thanks to the lower humidity. 

By the afternoon, we'll see plenty of sunshine as high pressure takes over. 

This high pressure center continues to build as we approach midweek, making for abundant sunshine and warming temps. Afternoon readings rise back close to 80° and climb into the lower 80s on Wednesday. 

Orlando 7-Day Weather Forecast

FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar and Live Weather Cameras

Track live when storms move across your area using the FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar below. You can also watch as heavy rain moves across Central Florida on our Live Weather Cameras' page here. 

More radar maps from FOX 35 Storm Tracker Radar

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the FOX 35 Storm Team on March 16, 2025.

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