ORLANDO, Fla. – Showers and thunderstorms are back in the forecast to open the work week, but a thicker plume of Saharan dust is expected to move into Central Florida soon, bringing drier air and hotter temperatures.

Tonight

Showers and storms developed earlier than usual and packed strong intensity, helping to stabilize the atmosphere across the region. The most powerful storms have now moved on, but areas of lighter, steady rain will remain scattered around Central Florida through sunset. After 9 p.m., rain chances will quickly taper off, setting up a dry night with lows in the mid- to upper 70s.

Monday

Enough lingering moisture will remain in place ahead of the incoming Saharan dust to support another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms moving from west to east. Rain chances will be higher the farther north you are, as the dust continues pushing in from the south and gradually cutting into available moisture. Storm chances will run around 40% to 50%, though coverage should be lower than Sunday afternoon’s widespread downpours. Highs will climb into the low 90s before storms help cool things down.

Mid-Week

By mid-week, Saharan dust will become much more noticeable as a ridge of high pressure builds over Florida in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

Together, those features will shift Central Florida into a hotter and drier weather pattern. Temperatures are expected to rebound into the mid- to upper 90s while rain chances drop. Air quality may also decline, as this dust plume is expected to be thicker than recent rounds.