Central Florida is enjoying a taste of fall, with cooler mornings, comfortable afternoons and plenty of sunshine. But winds will kick up even more this weekend, bringing an increase in rain chances and worsening conditions along our beaches.
Tuesday morning, the temperature at Orlando International Airport dropped to 62 degrees, the coolest reading since the end of April. Even cooler weather is expected in some of our northern interior counties Wednesday morning, including Marion County, where temperatures could dip into the low 50s.
The cooler mornings are thanks to high pressure over the eastern United States, which is keeping a steady flow of north to northeast winds across Central Florida.
Another cool start Wednesday
Wednesday morning will bring another brisk start, with temperatures generally in the 60s and some areas north of Interstate 4 falling into the upper 50s. Afternoon highs will climb into the low to mid-80s, right around where we should be for this time of year.
We’ll see a few more clouds Wednesday as moisture moves in from the Atlantic. A few passing showers are possible, especially along the coast, but most of us will stay dry.
Winds will remain breezy, blowing from the north and northeast at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts of 20 to 25 mph. A few gusts could reach 30 mph.
Winds ramp up even more this weekend
Drier air returns Thursday, bringing another day with limited rain chances and slightly cooler afternoon temperatures.
By Friday, however, winds will begin picking up again as high pressure strengthens to our north and low pressure develops near the Bahamas.
Winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph Friday afternoon before becoming even stronger Saturday and Sunday. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are possible over the weekend, with higher gusts.
The stronger onshore flow will also bring more moisture into Central Florida, increasing our chance for showers, especially Saturday. Not everyone will see rain, but passing showers will become more common as we head into the weekend.
Afternoon highs will settle into the upper 70s and lower 80s, while overnight temperatures become milder as winds bring warmer ocean air inland.
Rough surf and dangerous boating conditions continue
It’s already been a windy stretch along Central Florida’s coast, with gusts reaching 30 mph at times Tuesday. Those persistent northeast winds have kept surf rough and boating conditions hazardous, and there’s little relief in sight.
A high risk of rip currents continues at area beaches, and swimmers are urged to stay out of the water.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate even further this weekend as northeast winds strengthen. The combination of strong onshore winds, rough surf and higher astronomical tides could lead to additional beach erosion.
Boaters will also face increasingly dangerous conditions, with offshore seas potentially building to 12 to 15 feet by late Saturday.
Winds should gradually ease early next week, bringing some improvement to beach and boating conditions.