Storms coming to Miami? King Tide flooding in the Keys? Here’s what the forecast says
Hurricane Sally may have drenched South Florida last weekend when it was a tropical storm.
On Wednesday morning, Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Florida’s border in the Panhandle region is feeling its nastiness, especially Pensacola.
Sally may be drawing energy by siphoning some of that wetness away from South Florida as the National Weather Service in Miami’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies Wednesday and Thursday.
Storms in South Florida?
But don’t rush picnic plans for the weekend just yet. The weather service also points to a “frontal boundary” that is expected in South Florida by Friday. The front will bring increasing rain and thunderstorm chances across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, with breezy northeast winds making for hazardous marine and beach conditions through early next week.
Saturday’s storm chances are 40% in South Florida, increasing to 60% Sunday through Monday night, and still unsettled with a 50% chance Tuesday.
Temperatures stay high — about 87 degrees straight through with lows around 80.
Though Wednesday is forecast to be mostly sunny, as is Thursday, forecasters aren’t ruling out some afternoon problems in South Florida.
Thunderstorms are possible and could lead to periods of heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds up to 45 mph. Waterspouts are possible and there is a high risk of rip currents on beaches, especially in Palm Beach County through Thursday.
King Tide flooding in the Keys
Rain chances in the Florida Keys are lower, at 20%, but the weather service issued a coastal flooding statement because of King Tide on Wednesday to warn of minor saltwater flooding.
The warning is pronounced for the middle and lower Florida Keys where flooding of low-level streets is likely. “Some storm drains will overflow, and some seawalls and docks will be overtopped,” the service said.
Boaters in the Keys should be aware that the high tides could make clearance under bridges difficult or not possible. Drivers should also note that the puddles on roadways and lots “are almost certain to contain a mix of saltwater” — not friendly to your car’s body.
The likely saltwater flooding will be most pronounced during the higher high tide Wednesday and Thursday, according to the service. Expect the worst of it during the late morning and early afternoon hours at Key West, and early to mid-afternoon hours in Marathon. The Upper Keys could see minor saltwater flooding on Thursday.
This story was originally published September 16, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
