Orlando wakes up to a mostly sunny Sunday with a high near 90°F — an excellent morning for theme parks and outdoor plans, though Monday brings a storm window worth knowing about before you head out.
Today’s Setup
The Orlando weather forecast for May 17 shows mostly clear skies, east-southeast winds of 5 to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph, and just a 14% rain chance. The National Weather Service notes early-morning convergent showers off the Treasure Coast could briefly graze Orange and Seminole counties around sunrise — most of Orlando stays dry. Morning visits to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are solid; aim to be in shade or indoors by early afternoon as heat index values push into the mid-to-upper 90s. A Stanley tumbler 40oz loaded with ice water is non-negotiable on a day like this.
Rain and Storm Risk
Sunday looks clean, but Monday, May 18 carries a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM ET. The National Weather Service warns any storms could produce lightning and gusty winds exceeding 40 mph, with clearing expected by Monday evening. Isolated storm chances carry into Tuesday as well. Further out, NWS forecasters are tracking a significant heat buildup — heat index values could approach 100°F inland by Friday as above-normal warmth builds through the week.
Game Day Weather
Orlando City SC vs. LAFC on Monday, May 18 falls squarely in the afternoon storm window — arrive early and keep an eye on conditions. Rep the Lions with an Orlando City SC scarf no matter the weather. Get tickets on SeatGeek while they last.
The US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United FC follows on Tuesday, May 19 at Inter&Co Stadium — another outdoor game during an active afternoon pattern. Pack a light rain layer and Find tickets on StubHub if you haven’t already.
Looking ahead, Laura Pausini – YO CANTO WORLD TOUR at Kia Center on May 21 is indoors and weather-free. The Orlando Carnival Downtown celebrations at Camping World Stadium — Jouvert on May 23 and the Parade and Concert on May 24 — are both outdoor events during a hot, occasionally stormy stretch, so plan with early arrival and light, breathable clothing.
Fire Safety Check
Hot, gusty, and dry conditions this week are a timely reminder to verify your home is prepared. Test your smoke detector combo pack, keep a fire blanket kitchen accessible near the stove, refresh your go bag emergency evacuation kit, and store an N95 respirator mask smoke for smoke-heavy or dry-air stretches. Small steps now go a long way.
What To Wear
Lightweight layers all week. The UPF 50+ Fishing Shirts for $6.50 deal is exceptional sun protection for a full park day or afternoon on the water — hard to beat at that price.
Too Hot to Cook
Skip the stove tonight and go cold — Thai noodle salad, a build-your-own wrap bar, or smoothie bowls are perfect for a 90°F evening. A high-powered blender makes smoothie bowls a five-minute project. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
- Monday: Sunny morning, 30% storm chance after 2 PM ET, high near 89°F
- Tuesday: Isolated storm chances continue, high near 89°F
- Through Friday: Heat index values building toward 100°F inland — shift outdoor plans to early morning windows
