This week, the fit of showers and downpour forecasts in central Florida could impulse backyard barbecues, firework shows and other traditional traditional activities as weather experts predict an increase in the likelihood of rain through Saturday.
Despite the pessimistic skies, tens of millions of people are expected to travel by plane or car on this holiday weekend, making it one of the busiest independence days of years. Holidays fall on Fridays, giving many workers the opportunity to take advantage of the long weekend.
The Orlando area will receive up to three inches of rain in total until Saturday, with some pockets now visible.
That may seem like a lot, but so far this month, Central Florida has received 3 inches of rain than usual in June.
The Orlando area typically rains 7.78 inches that month, but so far it has only received 4.7 inches until Sunday. According to NWS data, the rainiest day was June 27th.
“We’ll catch up,” Meteorologist Tim Sedlock said of the predicted rain.
The wettest day? “It could be anywhere between Wednesday and Friday,” Sedlock said. “Pick a day. The chances of rain are up to 60% and 80%.”
The wet conditions are caused by low pressure or anterior regions formed in the southeastern United States, which are expected to migrate over the Florida Peninsula, according to Cedlock.
The National Hurricane Center on Monday gave the front a 20% chance of gradually developing into tropical or subtropical systems over the next seven days. If it turns into a tropical storm, it’s called Chantal.
Still, this week’s Central Florida sky is busy with more than rain clouds.
A record 1.43 million passengers (2% jump from last year) are expected to enter and exit Orlando International Airport during the nine-day holiday travel season that began on Sunday, officials said in a press release.
The busiest day is projected to be Sunday, with an estimated 175,000 passengers traveling through the big airport. The busiest day is forecast for Friday’s Independence Day itself, with an estimated 140,400 travelers.
Agents from the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) are ready to screen an estimated 18.5 million travelers at airport security checkpoints across the country, where the highest passenger volume is expected on Sunday. On June 22, the TSA screened a record 3.1 million passengers, with officials saying Sunday’s volume could break that mark.
“We ask travelers to cram patience,” TSA’s deputy manager Ha Nguyen McNeill said in a recent press release.
Orlando Airport officials are encouraging flyers to give them enough time to get through security and arrive at the boarding gates.
Nationwide, the AAA estimates that between June 28 and Sunday, AAA will travel at least 50 miles via planes, cars and trains. This is an increase in travellers of 1.7 million compared to last year, an increase of 7 million people from 2019.
Of this, a record 61.6 million people travelled by car, an increase of 2.2% from last year. One reason is that despite recent increases, summer gas prices have been approaching lowest levels since 2021, AAA officials said.
As of Monday, the national average was $3.19 per gallon and $2.86 per gallon in Orange County, according to the AAA.
For those planning on staying in Orlando this week, there are plenty of places to watch the fireworks this week.
On Thursday, the city of Alta Monte Springs will host the Red Hot & Boom annually, one of Central Florida’s oldest firework shows, from 5pm to 10pm at Crane Roost Park.
On Friday, Orlando will host its annual fireworks at the fountain, and will be held at Lake Eora Park at 9:10pm.
Also on Friday, Celebration will star at 9:20pm in the town centre of the community.
Original issue: June 30th, 2025, 3:20pm EDT
