Florida chills out as we head into Thanksgiving. Another front arrives by Black Friday
Looking for the warmest place in Florida as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday?
Try your kitchen if you are getting a jump start on holiday preparations.
Tuesday’s highs in the low 70s mark the coolest highs since March in South Florida, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
Lows dipped to the upper- to mid-50s from Homestead to West Palm Beach Wednesday morning. The Florida Keys hit the mid-60s for a low, according to the weather service in Key West.
A small craft advisory was in effect in the Keys through Wednesday thanks to winds of 22 mph and seas up to 7 feet, according to weather service meteorologists in Key West. In fact, all of South Florida’s waters are under a small craft advisory given the windy conditions and high seas.
Breezy winds gusting over 26 mph could make it feel even nippier in South Florida.
Other parts of Florida like Tallahassee hit the near freezing mark at just a temperature above — 33 degrees. Gainesville was looking at the upper 30s as a low Tuesday night. Highs will climb to the low to mid-60s over the next couple of days in the Panhandle region.
Tampa Bay could chill out around 49 degrees and then climb to the mid-70s as highs through Friday.
Beyond these cooldowns, there is no significant weather, or even rain, expected during the next couple of days leading into Thanksgiving on Thursday. “Mainly benign and cooler conditions prevailing,” the service says.
A weak cold front is forecast Friday into Saturday in South Florida, boosting rain chances to a minimal 20% Friday. But just consider a sweater if you’re going shopping on Black Friday as the early chill is likely just in the low 60s with day highs around 79.
By comparison, the state capital should feel a comfy 66 degrees Friday and a dip to 39 at night. Bradenton can expect a 20-degree range of 74 day, 54 night on Friday.
What you may want to watch out for are rip currents, though. If you’re planning on an ocean dip this week, there is a high risk of rip currents in Palm Beach County and a moderate risk in Miami-Dade and Broward, the weather service warns.
The elevated rip current risk continues into Thanksgiving along east coast beaches but will decline on the west coast.
This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 10:52 AM.
