ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 4:30 p.m. update:
Two rounds of thunderstorms have crossed Downtown Orlando producing lots of lightning and downpours, specially slowing traffic down along I-4 south of Downtown stretching to the attractions.
No warnings have been issued so far this afternoon, but some streets might have some minor flooding. The ground is very saturated, and rainfall has been heavy (and fast) at times, making it more prone to flooding.
In the mid-levels of the atmosphere, impulses of energy are arriving from the Gulf of Mexico, in addition to typical local summer ingredients, such as the day's heating and the sea breezes will continue to trigger thunderstorms development through the afternoon into the early evening hours.
Storm over Oviedo is about 40, 000 feet tall, with 300+ lightning strikes within the last 15 minutes. Another storms near the attractions. These storms are moving east, and could be dumping 1-2 inches of rain as they pass.
Posted by WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 on Friday, July 1, 2016
Fourth of July Weekend weather forecast:
Some flooding could be an issue since the ground is so saturated from previous days' storms.
The biggest chance of rain will be Saturday and Sunday, when Central Florida will see a 50 percent chance of storms starting after 2 p.m. through 10 p.m.
The storms will start in the western, northern counties and move to the I-4 corridor during the afternoon., then mainly east by 10 p.m. Saturday.
On July 4, there is a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon, still the hazy skies will prevail at night, not weather related though, that will be thanks to the fireworks.
See a list of firework shows this weekend, here.
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