Weather alert: Heavy rains swamping South Florida

Heavy rains pounded South Florida early Wednesday and more rain is expected in the afternoon.

Areas of Broward and the Keys were under early flood advisories. And street flooding made for a messy commute in Northeast Miami-Dade, including the Ives Dairy Road corridor and Biscayne Boulevard near Florida International University. Several crashes and delays shut down highway lanes on Interstate 95.

Some areas recorded more than two inches of rain before morning rush hour ended. By early afternoon, the rain remained south of Alligator Alley.

“It’s pretty much raining throughout South Florida,” said CBS4 meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of rain, according to the National Weather Service in Miami-Dade. Highs will rise to a steamy 86, but by early afternoon, the rain kept temperatures in the mid-70s.

Storms, accompanied by wind gusts and heavy lightning, will roll in and out throughout Wednesday.

But drier weather is on the way — and so are cooler temperatures.

On Thursday night and early Friday morning, forecasters expect a drop to the mid- to upper-60s. Friday and Saturday will be mostly sunny.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 8:32 AM with the headline "Weather alert: Heavy rains swamping South Florida."