Central Florida Weather: Easy-to-Understand Forecast

Monday: Typical July Day in Central Florida

Imagine it’s like a normal summer day for this time of year. Here’s what’s happening:

• It will be warm and sticky (we call that humid).
• The thermometer will show numbers in the upper 80s and lower 90s (that’s about 88–92°F).
• Because the air is sticky, it will feel even hotter than the number says.

Afternoon Thunderstorms: Starting Earlier

Usually, rain comes later, but not on Monday!

• Showers and thunderstorm clouds will pop up around midday (lunchtime), a little earlier than normal.
• They will then spread out and move toward the Space Coast and beaches by the evening.
• So if you live there, expect stormy weather later in the day.

Important: Be Ready for Strong Storms

Important: Some of these storms might be a bit rough! They could have:

• Gusty winds (sudden strong blows of air)
• Frequent lightning (lots of bright zaps)
• Heavy downpours (tons of rain at once)

If you are spending time outside, be prepared for the weather to change super fast. Go inside if you see lightning!

Tuesday: More of the Same

• Tuesday will look a lot like Monday.
• Still seasonable warm, still humid, and still some scattered afternoon storms.

Mid-Week: A Cloud of Desert Dust Arrives

Here’s a cool fact: sometimes, tiny dust from the Saharan Desert (a huge sandy place in Africa) flies all the way across the ocean to Florida!

• This dust brings dry air with it.
• Dry air means fewer afternoon thunderstorms.
• But fewer storms also means less natural cooling, so temperatures will climb higher.

Why It Will Feel Extra Hot

Because the air is still sticky (humid) but there are fewer storms to cool things down:

• The “feels-like” temperature (called the heat index) will be between 102 and 107 degrees.
• That’s like standing near a hot oven outside!

Simple Steps to Stay Safe

1. Look outside before you go out to play.
2. Keep an eye on the sky – if it gets dark or rumbly, head indoors.
3. Drink plenty of water to stay cool.
4. Get weather alerts on your phone (see links below).

Get Our Free Apps & Watch Live

You can stay updated with these handy links:

• Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps
• Click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live

Summary

Let’s recap in kid-friendly terms:

• Monday & Tuesday: Warm, sticky, with rain and thunder in the afternoon (starting around lunch).
• Mid-week: Dust from Africa makes the air drier, so fewer storms, but it gets hotter.
• Heat feeling: Up to 107°F feel-like because of humidity.
• Be smart: Use the apps, drink water, and go inside during lightning.

FAQ

Q1: What does “scattered storms” mean?
A: It means rain and thunder will happen in some spots but not everywhere—like sprinkles in different puddles.

Q2: What is Saharan dust?
A: It’s fine sand and dirt from the Sahara Desert in Africa that travels across the sea to Florida, making the sky hazy and air drier.

Q3: Why does it feel hotter than the actual temperature?
A: Because sticky air (humidity) traps heat near your skin. We mix temperature and humidity to get the “heat index” – the real feel.

Q4: How can I watch the local news live?
A: Just click the link above to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live on your phone or computer.