Orlando weather: Rain chances increase across Central Florida this weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. - Strong easterly winds will continue overnight, with gusts of 15 to 25 mph.

Those winds will bring moisture in from the Atlantic and passing showers will move through the area at times, especially before midnight.

Rain chances increase this weekend

When will the rain arrive?:

Warm, humid conditions will continue through the weekend and into early next week, with scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms expected across Central Florida.

An area of low pressure moving west of the state will draw tropical moisture north from the Caribbean, increasing rain and storm coverage Saturday and Sunday. The greatest chance for storms will be between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day.

Severe weather is not expected, but some storms could produce heavy rain, frequent lightning and small hail.

Unsettled weather all weekend

The upper-level low slowly crosses Florida and moves into the eastern Gulf through Sunday.

At the same time, deeper moisture returns, keeping numerous showers and storms scattering in the forecast each day.

Morning showers will remain possible near the coast, followed by more widespread development from late morning through the afternoon.

A few stronger storms remain possible on Saturday and Sunday, with frequent lightning, gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall of 1–3 inches. 

Not washouts, but certainly a wetter and more active weekend.

Wet pattern continues next week

Looking Ahead:

The upper low gradually weakens, but plenty of moisture remains over Florida.

That keeps rain chances near or above normal Monday through at least midweek, with scattered to numerous afternoon and evening storms continuing.

Temperatures remain close to normal, generally in the upper 80s to around 90.

The highest rain totals over the next 7 days will occur in South Florida, with lower totals the farther north you go.

Invest 99L

Tracking the tropics:

The Atlantic hurricane season continues at a historically quiet pace, with no tropical systems expected to threaten Florida or the United States over the next 10 days.

A disturbance known as Invest 99L could briefly strengthen into a tropical depression this weekend over the far eastern Atlantic. The system is expected to remain well away from land and poses no threat to populated areas.

Forecasters are watching for the possibility of development in the Gulf during the first week of October, though it remains too early to determine whether anything will form.