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Thunderstorm warnings end as afternoon showers move through Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Afternoon storms triggered severe thunderstorm warnings around Central Florida on Saturday.

5:05 p.m. update:

The severe thunderstorm watches in Central Florida have ended as storms continue to move south.

Lingering rain is tapering off over the Orlando-metro area, but activity will continue through the early evening to the south and west.

Orlando officially reached 98 degrees shortly after 1 p.m.

If the rain another hour or two, the Orlando area likely would have reached 100 degrees for the first time since 2015.

2:40 p.m. update:

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for Orange, Seminole and Lake counties on Sunday afternoon.

Storms may have wind gusts of 60 mph and the possibility of hail.

The storms started popping up when the heat index was over 100 degrees for most of Central Florida.

The near-record heat is fueling the intensity of the storms.

Channel 9 chief meteorologist Tom Terry is tracking the storm activity and will have continuing coverage on Eyewitness News.

Original report:

WFTV’s Severe Weather Team suggests getting in those weekend projects early on Saturday because it could be the hottest day of the year.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for most of Central Florida for Saturday.

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Much of Central Florida will see temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s and the humidity will make it feel even hotter and quite oppressive.

“Today’s heat index could reach as high as 107-112 degrees,” meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said.

READ: Residents look for ways to beat the heat as temperatures soar in Central Florida

Saturday afternoon could see the possibility of storms that could bring strong to severe weather.

Follow our Severe Weather team on Twitter for live updates:

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