Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Weather Alert Day today — 90% storms, gusts to 35 mph. Burn ban in effect. Bealls closing in Ocoee. Spring Fever is 4 days away.

Good Morning Winter Garden

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

West Orange County, FL

⛈ 70° · Weather Alert Day

Your daily dispatch from the heart of West Orange County.

Photo: David Valentine / Unsplash

Presented by GMWG Sponsors

Advertise with GMWG — Reach Winter Garden's Most Engaged Local Readers

Weather Alert Day in Effect — 90% Chance of Storms, Burn Ban Across Orange County

Central Florida forecasters have issued Weather Alert Days for Tuesday and Wednesday as a powerful storm system moves through, bringing 90% chance of storms today with gusts as high as 35 mph — and a countywide burn ban is now in effect.

WFTV has designated today and Wednesday as Weather Alert Days, signaling conditions that warrant extra caution. Expect showers and thunderstorms through most of the day with rainfall totals of three-quarters to one inch possible — and gusts up to 35 mph could cause downed trees and brief power outages. Separately, Orange County has enacted a burn ban now in effect across the county; no open burning is permitted until it is lifted. If you have outdoor plans today, reschedule them. The system is expected to begin clearing by Thursday, with a mostly sunny Friday setting up what looks like a fine weekend for Spring Fever in the Garden.

WFTV → Orange Observer →

Bealls to Close Its Ocoee Location

Bealls is closing its Ocoee store, adding to a string of retail shifts across the West Orange area as shopping patterns continue to evolve. No closing date was immediately confirmed. Orange Observer →

County Commissioners to Take Up Tobacco Shop Zoning

Orange County Commissioners are set to discuss zoning regulations for tobacco shops, a conversation that could affect where such businesses can operate across unincorporated parts of the county. Orange Observer →

📣 This Week in Winter Garden

Ride out the storms. Spring Fever is four days away.

Today and Wednesday are Weather Alert Days — take the storms seriously and keep an eye on outage alerts. By Friday the sun returns, and Saturday brings Spring Fever in the Garden to downtown: arts, plants, music, and the Farmers Market all at once. Tonight the Planning & Zoning Board meets at City Hall at 6:15 PM — check cwgdn.com for the agenda.

Tonight: P&Z Board 6:15 PM 🏛️ Burn ban in effect 🔥 Apr 11–12: Spring Fever 🌸

⛈ This Week's Weather

Winter Garden, FL · Apr 7 – 11 · NWS Melbourne

⚠️ Weather Alert Days Tue & Wed · Gusts to 35 mph · Clearing by Friday · NWS Melbourne

Reclaimed Water Intermittently Unavailable Due to Construction

The City of Winter Garden has issued a notice that reclaimed water service will be intermittently unavailable due to ongoing construction. Check cwgdn.com for updates on your area. cwgdn.com →

Winter Garden Moves Closer to Stricter E-Bike and Scooter Rules

Winter Garden is advancing tighter regulations on e-bikes and electric scooters, part of a broader effort to manage their use on city trails, sidewalks, and downtown corridors. Fox 35 →

Florida Homeowners: Bat Exclusion Deadline Is April 15

Florida residents have until April 15 to exclude bats from their homes without a permit before the maternity season begins. After that date, exclusion work requires state authorization to protect nursing colonies. WFTV →

2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings Goes "Jumping Into Spring"

The monthly block party at Flamingo Crossings Town Center returns this Friday, April 10, with a spring theme — music, vendors, and community fun starting at 6 PM. Horizon West Happenings →

Sponsor this section

Your Local Business Name Here

A one-line description of your business, offer, or event — seen by your neighbors.

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting 🏛️

6:15 PM · City Hall Chambers · Open to the public · cwgdn.com →

Development Review Committee 🏗️

6:30 PM · City Hall Chambers · City of Winter Garden · cwgdn.com →

Fridays on the Plaza 🎪 · Wine Walk 🍷 · 2nd Fridays at Flamingo Crossings 🦩

Plaza: 8 AM–1 PM downtown · Wine Walk at Southern Hill Farms: 5:30 PM · Flamingo block party: 6 PM · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Spring Fever in the Garden 🌸 · Farmers Market 🌿

Apr 11–12 · Downtown Winter Garden · Roads closed · Market: 8 AM–1 PM · springfeverinthegarden.org →

Best Fest: A Taste of West Orange 🍽️

5:00–8:00 PM · Horizon West · Local food, drink & community · horizonwesthappenings.com →

Support local journalism — sponsor GMWG

Every edition, every morning. Section sponsorships & display ads available.

We want to hear from you

How are we doing? Tell us.

Got a tip or correction? We read every reply.

gmwgnews.com · hello@gmwgnews.com

WFTV Channel 9 · Orange Observer · Fox 35 · Horizon West Happenings · City of Winter Garden · NWS Melbourne · Apr 7, 2026

You're receiving this because you subscribed to GMWG.

Unsubscribe · View in browser