WFTV Orlando Weather Blog
Devastating Severe Weather Outbreak Underway
It's been an afternoon of devastating severe weather across the Mid-West and Southeast as a powerful late winter storm churns across the nation's mid-section. Unstable air is being lifted north from the Gulf of Mexico and powerful jet stream wind is providing the energy for very large, long-tracked, and deadly tornadoes. This system will affect central Florida by Sunday, but in a weakened state.
Early Week Rain Eases Drought, For Now
The heavy showers and storms that affected central Florida late Saturday through late Monday did put a bit of a dent in the drought numbers across the area. Long-term drought remains a big concern, especially headed toward the heart of the dry season over the next couple of months, but in the short-term, things have improved.
Wet Start to the Week
Much needed rain fell across central Florida over the last couple of days, with some areas recording more than an inch of liquid gold. Unfortunately, it came on one of the bigger sports weekend in the history of the Orlando area -- with the NBA All Star Game and Daytona 500 in town. The good news? The rain is moving out just in time for the Daytona 500 to get underway Monday evening.
Warmest February Day in 24 Years!
Temperatures surged into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees this afternoon across central Florida; in Orlando, it was the warmest February day since 1988! A sharp cool down is on the way to start the weekend, with increasing rain chances later in the weekend -- unfortunately, just in time for the Great American Race.
May-Like Heat Moves In
With high pressure across the western Atlantic, our storm track is mainly to the north and the heat is about to build. By the end of the week, temperatures will surge into the mid to upper 80s -- it will feel like early to mid May across central Florida! We're also tracking a couple of quick-moving systems that will bring a chance of rain to the area.
Strong Storm Moving East
A strong storm system, one that continues to produce severe weather tonight across the Gulf coast states, is moving toward Florida. Most of the energy with this system will pass to the north of central Florida, but we will still see showers -- and isolated storms -- with some gusty wind on Sunday.
Weekend Weather Rollercoaster!
As a complex system evolves across central Florida over the next couple of days, changes in our weather will happen literally every 12 hours. From rainy weather, to the possibility for a few stronger storms, to very warm spring-like temperatures, to wind gusts above 30 mph, this weekend will have it all!
Northern Storm Track.. For Now!
After some of the coldest air of the season earlier this week, temperatures will surge into the 80s on Wednesday and Thursday. A strong ridge of high pressure has built in aloft, pushing the storm track to the north -- for now!
Strong Cold Front on the Way!
A reminder that we're still in winter is moving toward central Florida early this evening: a cold front that will bring some of the coldest air we've seen all season. In advance of it, there have been a few rotating storms on radar this afternoon and a batch of much needed rain will move through tonight.
A February - Yes, February! - Tropical Disturbance
It's been an unusually dry winter so far across central Florida, but we finally saw rain develop this afternoon. The reason? Three-fold. Moisture from a weakening front to our north moved in, sea breezes developed, and an unusual tropical disturbance moved to our south across the Florida Straits!
Shifting Storm Track Later This Week
Today marked the 39th consecutive day without measurable rainfall in Melbourne, marking the 2nd longest rain-free stretch for the Brevard County city. The record is 46 straight days set in 1968-69, but there are signs that the all-time record may be safe!
High (Clouds) & Dry!
Friday marked a transition to a cloudier sky across central Florida, but most of the clouds were well above 10,000 feet -- in other words, just too high in the sky to produce any rain. In the meantime, we're closing in our a record dry stretch of days in Melbourne.
Remember When? 5th Anniversary of Groundhog Day Tornado Outbreak
Today marks the 5th annivesary of one of the worst tornado outbreaks in Central Florida. 21 died. Sadly, the tornadoes hit in the middle of the night. I remember being on Channel 9 with Tom Terry. It was about 3 in the morning and we were doing what we could ...
Record Dry January Winding Down
It has been a record dry January for parts of central Florida and the last day will conclude with -- you guessed it -- dry weather. Drought numbers are increasing across the area; we're looking ahead to better chances of rain by the end of the week.
Much Needed Rain!
It wasn't much, but most of central Florida saw at least a few rain drops to wrap up the work week as one of two cold fronts moved through the area.
Severe Weather Rumbles Through Southeast
A powerful system rumbled through the southeast over the last 24 hours, leading to reports of tornadoes and large hail. Two deaths were reported in Alabama.
Cold Building North - Just Not Heading Here!
The coldest air of the season is piling up along the US/Canada border but isn't headed in our direction. The pattern has changed some, but it is not one that's sending winter's chill our way!
Dry Weather Spawns Brush Fires
As we get deeper into the dry season, the frequency of brush fires will increase across central Florida. That was illustrated over the last couple of days, as several fires burned on Sunday and another ignited today in Orange County. Little rain is in the forecast over the next week, though.
Chilly Weekend in the Forecast
The second cold front we were waiting for moved through the area right on schedule first thing this morning, bringing with it a brief round of chilly, January weather.
First Measurable Rain of 2012
The first measurable rain of 2012 is just hours away from falling in central Florida as a weak front moves toward the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Some parts of the area will see over half an inch of rain.
Featured Articles
Ads By Google
© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website,
you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices
.
You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Tell us about yourself
{* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* agreeToTerms *}