Orlando weather: Central Florida faces dangerous heat as storm chances return midweek
ORLANDO, Fla. - Central Florida residents can expect another stretch of intense heat through midweek, with forecasters warning that heat index values could climb as high as 110 degrees in some areas Wednesday afternoon.
Most of Central Florida is expected to stay dry through the evening and overnight hours despite storm activity to the north.
Hot and humid the rest of the week
Looking Ahead:
Our stretch of hot and humid temperatures persists across Central Florida as highs climb into the mid 90s.
Once we factor in humidity levels, heat indices will approach a range of around 102-108°.
Daily downpours pick back up to more scattered levels (40%) starting Wednesday.
A more typical summer weather pattern is expected Thursday and Friday, with scattered afternoon and evening downpours and thunderstorms developing across portions of Central Florida.
Rainfall will remain hit-or-miss, but many communities could see brief periods of heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds during the afternoon hours.
Weekend outlook
Forecasters say a strengthening ridge of high pressure is expected to build over Florida this weekend, leading to hotter temperatures and lower rain chances.
The driest conditions are expected Sunday and Monday, when afternoon temperatures could once again climb into the upper 90s. The combination of persistent heat and limited rainfall could make the final days of June among the hottest the Orlando area has experienced in recent years.
Where does June 2026 rank in Orlando for record heat?
Dig deeper:
So far through the 23rd, this June is the 8th hottest of all time, since 1893. Given the forecast through early next week, it may rise to the top-5 hottest June of all time by time all said and done.
Of note, the number of days with afternoon highs of 95+ degrees has been significant. Currently, 12 days have been 95 or hotter, which is tied for the 4th most on record — also since 1893.
Why the excessive heat?
Strong El Niño years generally displace the most amount of rain and storms, compared to normal, in the late fall and winter in central Florida. While that does not mean no rain in the summer, often years that have a very strong El Niño ongoing on Earth mean that the headline in Florida regarding precipitation is much wetter than normal winter.
What's the outlook going forward?
Continued excessive heat and above average temperatures through early July with a ridge of high pressure sitting around Florida. No below normal temperatures seen in the forecast data anytime soon.
The average high this time of year is around 91 degrees in Orlando.
Atlantic hurricane basin quiet
Tracking the Tropics:
The Atlantic hurricane basin remains quiet, with no immediate signs of tropical development.
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Forecasters attribute the lack of activity to unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including the influence of El Niño-related patterns and increasing concentrations of Saharan dust across the tropical Atlantic, both of which can suppress storm formation.
The Source: The information in this story was provided by the FOX 35 Storm Team.