Osceola County responder officials and emergency managers had a mixed bag of news this Monday.
Showers and thunderstorms, especially after 2 p.m. today, are expected to be potentially strong to severe, and could stretch into the afternoon drive-time period.
"Scattered lightning storms will develop over east central Florida this afternoon, pushing offshore into tonight. The highest coverage is expected to be generally south of Orlando," a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service in Melbourne issued at 10:37 a.m. read. "A few storms are forecast to become strong to marginally severe and the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted much of the area in a Marginal Risk."
Main threats with storms look to be frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds up to around 50 mph with a few gusts to 60 mph, hail up to around one inch, and heavy downpours. Storms are forecast to move east to northeastward at around 15 to 20 mph. It is in association with an incoming cold front that, while expected to be weak, will linger over our area this week and bring instability most days this week. Rain chances are expected to be around 50 percent through the end of the week, with high temperatures consistent in the mid-80s.
On the flip side and the good news, a burn ban that's been in effect for all of Osceola County since March 25 was lifted today, Fire Chief Larry Collier announced. Favorable changes to the Keetch-Bryan Drought Index over the past seven days allowed for cancelation of the ban on all types of outside burning.
“While improved conditions enabled us to lift the burn ban, residents who wish to burn are encouraged to take proper precautions, both for their safety, and for the safety of our community,” Collier said. “Instead of burning yard debris, it is recommended to bundle it and place it out front for collection on your designated day for yard waste pickup.”
Monday morning the Florida Department of Agriculture reported Osceola County's Keetch-Bryan Drought Index overall average was 470, which is still pretty dry, and 46 percent of the county is in the 500s. For more, Go to Florida Forestry’s website for more information about safe burning https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Burn-Authorizations
