Severe storms expected to threaten South Florida, small tornado chance, into the night
Storms moved into Miami-Dade on Tuesday morning and through the mid-day hours. But the chance for severe conditions that could bring winds gusts between 45 and 60 mph, along with the small potential for a tornado, was expected from the rush hour commute into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.
By 3:45 p.m., a line of thunderstorms capable of gusty winds pushed eastward into the offshore local Atlantic waters with Ocean Reef to the south and Aventura to the north in its sights.
The nastiness — a 70 percent chance — took a break for much of South Florida between noon and the start of the rush hour, though.
But at 3:45, the National Weather Service in Key West warned that the strongest batch of thunderstorms were heading to the Southernmost point and the Lower Keys.
“Expect heavy downpours, occasional cloud to ground lightning, and wind gusts to 30 mph through 5 p.m.,” forecasters said.
The Middle and Upper Keys were mostly dry but by 5 p.m. the thunderstorms were expected as the Lower Keys was expected to catch a quick breather after the initial line of storms.
“Plenty more rain in store” into the night, forecasters said. The storms will be fast moving, however, the service said.
The first taste of the stormy day arrived around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday with a marine warning for boaters on coastal Gulf waters about strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts, small hail, and wind gusts up to 39 mph.
By 9:30 a.m., that warning turned into a significant weather advisory for portions of Collier and mainland Monroe counties that threatened hail, high winds and lightning extended into the mid-morning.
Showers also developed over South Miami-Dade and shower activity is expected to spread north as the morning rush hour closed.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Homestead south to Kendall, Coral Gables and South Miami. The warning expired at 1 p.m., although rough weather is expected to ruin your evening commute.
Isolated showers were also a concern in the Upper Keys and its surrounding coastal waters as a mass moved in around 9:30 a.m., the National Weather Service in Key West warned. Boaters and drivers on US1 can expect brief moderate rainfall and wind gusts to 29 mph.
“Remember, if thunder roars, go indoors,” the National Weather Service said in its morning update. “If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.”
This article will be updated through the day.
This story was originally published April 9, 2019 at 10:09 AM.
