Severe Storms Prompt Central Florida Power Outages | Watching Saharan Dust & Extreme Weekend Heat

Based on a WESH weather update from 7:11 PM EDT on July 11, 2026.

What’s Going On? (The Simple Version)

Central Florida has been getting hit with two big things: really hot weather and strong thunderstorms. The storms have been so windy that they knocked out electricity for many families. Even though the rain is moving away, the heat is sticking around like a stubborn guest.

Who Lost Power and Where?

The wind from the storms was strong enough to damage things and cut electricity. Here’s the count from the report:

• Lake County: About 100 customers (that means homes or businesses) had no power.
• Marion County: The number grew to about 1,500 customers without power.
• Near I‑75 (especially Ocala): This is where the gusty, damaging winds were worst.

Important: The outages were caused by strong winds, not just rain. Those winds also broke tree branches and damaged some roofs in Marion County.

What Kind of Damage Happened?

Because the wind was so powerful, we saw:

• Tree branches snapped off
• Roof damage on some buildings
• General mess from the storm’s strength

Where Are the Showers Right Now?

Think of rain like a moving garden sprinkler. Here’s where the water was falling when the report was made:

• Light rain left in Citra and Anthony
• A few sprinkles in Ocala
• Showers moving up from the south near State Road 11, then State Road 13 and I‑95 into Flagler County (including Crescent Beach)
• Lighter showers near Mont Verde
• Lightning still popping near Lake Apopka
• The tourist area’s rain was ending

Tonight’s Weather Step‑by‑Step

Here’s what to expect as the evening goes on:

1. Showers push north and east and start to lose strength by 9–10 PM.
2. By 7 PM, the worst impacts begin to fade as the storms fall apart.
3. Skies become mostly sunny for the rest of the evening (clouds may still float).
4. Overnight temperatures stay warm, only dropping to the 70s and 80s°F (that’s like a warm night, not cool).
5. No big cool‑down – the air stays muggy.

Important: A group called the Storm Prediction Center (they watch for dangerous weather) gave us a “marginal” risk – that’s a 1 out of 5 chance – for more strong storms tonight. So keep an eye on the sky.

Tomorrow and the Weekend: Hot, Hot, Hot!

The heat isn’t taking a break. Here’s the plan:

• Sunshine returns tomorrow (Saturday) but won’t stay all day.
• A weather pattern called high pressure (think of it as a big invisible lid pushing warm air down) squeezes back in.
• Heat advisories (warnings that it’s dangerously hot) come back. It will feel like 101–108°F because of humidity.
• Pool forecast: Starts nice, but about 50% chance of passing showers later.
• Morning: A couple of showers near I‑75.
• Afternoon/evening: Storms grow, especially east of the I‑4 corridor (like Orlando) on Sunday.
• Orlando right now: 93°F, but with the wind it feels like about 95°F.

Saharan Dust and the Work Week Ahead

Something cool but dry is coming: a plume of Saharan dust. That’s tiny dirt from the Sahara Desert in Africa that flies across the ocean. It will:

• Return with a vengeance early next week (Tuesday/Wednesday)
• Dry the air out a bit (fewer storms)
• Make it warmer because dry sunny weather heats up fast
• Push “feels‑like” temperatures to 105–110°F as the week goes on

The 7‑day look:

• Monday: Peak heat at 97°F – a real scorcher!
• Rain chances: Around 40%–30% at the start of the week
• Next weekend: Highs back to the mid‑90s

Summary

To wrap it up simply:

• Strong winds from thunderstorms caused power outages for hundreds to thousands in Lake and Marion counties.
• Minor damage like broken branches and roof hits happened.
• Rain is leaving tonight, but it stays warm overnight.
• Tomorrow brings sunshine, then heat advisories with feel‑like temps over 100°F.
• A blob of African dust arrives midweek, drying things and making it even hotter.
• Stay cool, stay safe, and watch for any new storms.

FAQ

1. What is Saharan dust, and why should I care?
Saharan dust is like a cloud of fine sand from the Sahara Desert in Africa. It travels across the Atlantic Ocean to Florida. It makes the sky hazy, can cause sneezes, and usually means fewer thunderstorms because the air is too dry for them.

2. Why do storms make the power go out?
When winds blow very hard, they can knock down tree limbs onto power lines or damage the poles and wires. That breaks the flow of electricity – just like stepping on a garden hose stops the water.

3. What does “feels like” temperature mean?
It’s what your skin thinks the temperature is when we mix the real heat with humidity (water in the air). If it’s 93°F but muggy, it might feel like 95°F or more because your sweat doesn’t cool you well.

4. What is a heat advisory?
It’s a warning from weather folks that it’s so hot and sticky that your body could get sick if you stay outside too long. It’s like a “too hot to play” alert.

5. How can I stay safe during this weather?
Drink water, stay in air conditioning if you can, charge your phone in case power goes out, and listen to local news for storm updates. If you see lightning, go inside!