Thunderstorms, Excessive Rainfall Risk, Strong Wind Gusts For Central Florida

ORLANDO, Florida – The National Weather Service in Melbourne forecasts a seasonably hot and humid day across East Central Florida today, Thursday, September 3, 2026, with heat indices expected to reach 99–106°F.

Scattered to numerous showers and lightning storms are forecast this afternoon and evening across East Central Florida before rain chances diminish around 10 PM.

The potential exists for a couple to a few strong storms. A Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall is in effect areawide.

A few stronger storms will produce locally strong wind gusts of 40 mph, occasional to frequent lightning, and heavy rain of 2–3 inches in a short period, with isolated totals of 5 inches or more possible.

Minor flooding is possible especially in urban, low-lying, and poor drainage areas, including flooding of roadways.

NWS Melbourne Forecast

The main hazards during peak storm hours this afternoon and evening include:

• Occasional to frequent lightning – When thunder roars, go indoors!
• Gusty winds of 40 mph locally
• Heavy downpours that may produce 2–3 inches of rain (isolated 5+ inches) and minor flooding, especially in urban, low-lying, and poor drainage areas.

Muggy conditions continue with heat indices reaching 99–106°F this afternoon. Seasonably hot highs in the upper 80s to low 90s persist through the weekend.

A moderate rip current risk is also in effect for all Atlantic beaches in Volusia, Space, and Treasure Coasts.

East Central Florida cities forecast today include:

• Orlando (high near 91°F, showers and thunderstorms, 70% chance)
• Daytona Beach (high near 88°F, showers and thunderstorms, 50% chance)
• Leesburg (high near 90°F, showers and thunderstorms, 70% chance)
• Melbourne (high near 89°F, showers and thunderstorms, 60% chance)
• Vero Beach (high near 89°F, showers and thunderstorms, 60% chance)
• Port St. Lucie (high near 89°F, showers and thunderstorms, 60% chance)

National Weather Service Melbourne Central Florida Radar Loop

Orlando Weather Forecast

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 102. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.