The coldest weather in 11 years is here, South Florida. What you need to know
The coldest air in more than 11 years is here, South Florida.
We’re talking the mid-to upper 30s from Homestead in South Miami-Dade all the way up to Palm Beach County.
And that’s not the wind chill factors — what it will feel like. For wind chill readings, try 10 degrees colder, with wind chills predicted in the mid- to upper 20s all along the lower half of the state from Miami to Naples.
The potential lows have led to freeze and wind chill watches for Saturday night in parts of South Florida.
Wind Chill
Very cold wind chills, as low as 25 degrees, are expected from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday, according to the NWS’s 7 p.m. advisory. Portions of South Florida may see “dangerously cold wind chills [that] could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken.”
Many areas of Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties will be affected under the wind chill advisory.
Some cities that may experience dangerous wind chills are Palm Springs, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Homestead, Miami, Kendall, Miami Gardens, Doral, Hialeah, Aventura and Miami Beach.
“Use caution while traveling outside,” the NWS said. “Wear appropriate clothing, a hat and gloves.”
Freeze Watch and Warning
A freeze watch remains in effect for metro Palm Beach and coastal Collier County from 1 a.m. Sunday through the morning, as of the NWS’s 7 p.m. advisory. There could be sub-freezing temperatures as low as 32 degrees.
Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” the NWS said. “To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”
A freeze warning remains in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday for inland Broward, Palm Beach and Collier counties. Cities and areas included in the warning are Pahokee, South Bay, Belle Glade, Wellington, Lion Country Safari, South County Regional Park, Immokalee, Miccosukee Indian Reservation and Markham Park.
‘Pretty historic’
Brian McNoldy, a research scientist at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, posted on his Twitter feed one explanation for the big chill. “Ocean temperature anomalies will aid in the explosive deepening of this weekend’s storm,” he wrote.
As such, McNoldy sees temperatures around 25 degrees below normal for South Florida on Sunday morning to the upper 30s. “Pretty historic.”
The National Weather Service in Miami said temps in Miami-Dade and Broward haven’t dipped that low since December 2010.
Cold weather shelters in Miami-Dade, Broward
Miami-Dade and Broward counties activated emergency shelter plans for cold weather. COVID-19 protocols are in effect, so expect to wear masks.
In Miami-Dade, county officials in coordination with the Homeless Trust, set 2 p.m. Friday as activation point for the plan that will continue to operate until Monday. The county will then reassess whether the cold weather plan should continue, said Charles Cyrille, interim director of Miami-Dade’s Office of Emergency Management.
If you need help to access this assistance or need more information, contact the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Helpline at 877-994-4357 or 305-375-2273.
Broward County’s cold weather emergency shelter plan runs from 6 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Monday.
People who may be homeless in this period can report to the following shelters no later than 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday night:
▪ The Salvation Army, 1445 W. Broward Blvd., in Fort Lauderdale.
▪ The South Homeless Assistance Center, 2056 Scott St. in Hollywood.
▪ The Pompano Beach shelter at 1700 Blount Rd.
A bus will leave from The Salvation Army at 1445 W. Broward Blvd. at 5:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday nights to provide transportation to the other locations as need arises. If you need this service, you have to be at the Salvation Army by 5:30 p.m. to get on the bus.
Questions about Broward’s homeless plan can be answered via the Homeless Helpline at 954-563-4357.
For those who don’t seek the shelters, partnering agencies with Broward’s Homeless Continuum of Care plan to distribute blankets, socks and stocking hats to people on the street, Broward spokeswoman Lori Shepard said in an email to the Miami Herald.
Winter safety tips
Miami-Dade’s Office of Emergency Management issued several winter safety tips in anticipation of this weekend’s chill.
Among them:
▪ Stay indoors as much as possible.
▪ Check on friends, family members and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards such as young children, older adults and the chronically ill.
▪ Dress in multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing if going out. Hats, scarves and mittens aren’t a bad idea.
▪ Eat well-balanced meals to stay warmer. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages as booze can cause your body to lose heat more rapidly.
▪ Bring pets out of the cold.
▪ Heat your home safely. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by never using generators, charcoal grills or gas grills indoors.
When will it warm up again?
The National Weather Service in Miami eyes Monday with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 55 at night as the start of the next thaw.
By Wednesday, expect a temperature range from upper 70s down to upper 60s.
Rain is not in the forecast and is just at 20% after 1 a.m. Tuesday into Thursday.
This story was originally published January 28, 2022 at 10:49 AM.
