‘Robust storms’ headed to South Florida, and that could mean tornadoes. Here’s a timeline
“Robust storms” are expected in South Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Miami warns.
What’s “robust?”
▪ Chance of one or two isolated tornadoes spawned by strong, scattered thunderstorms cannot be ruled out, the service warns in its hazardous weather outlook. Thunderstorms: Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible.
▪ Strong, to damaging wind gusts, are possible and could be just over 20 mph but maybe higher in the stronger storms.
▪ Localized flooding, waterspouts.
▪ Rip currents are at high risk for coastal Miami-Dade and Broward beaches through late Tuesday night.
Sounds robust.
Why is this wetness and wind on the way?
Blame it on a developing Gulf cyclone to the north that is heading toward South Florida, meteorologists with the weather service say. But unlike last weekend’s bomb cyclone that brought a sudden drop in temperatures from a record high 90 on Saturday afternoon to upper 50s Saturday night and Sunday morning, the Gulf cyclone is not bringing particularly cool air to the region.
Temperatures will be in a narrow range of about 80 to 82 as a high to mid-70s as a low through the week into Saturday.
The strong thunderstorm potential continues Wednesday afternoon, forecasters say, but “the overall threat” diminishes by early morning Thursday.
Weather timeline
▪ Tuesday morning: A few isolated showers across the eastern half of South Florida.
▪ Tuesday mid-day: Scattered showers increase across all of South Florida.
▪ Tuesday late afternoon/evening: Scattered thunderstorms develop with a few becoming “strong to severe,” according to the weather service.
▪ Wednesday morning: Thunderstorms and scattered showers continue.
▪ Wednesday afternoon/evening: Another round of thunderstorms across South Florida.
▪ Thursday: A few morning showers but then the dry out begins as a weak frontal boundary moves through, bringing warm and mostly dry weather through Saturday. Rain chances are 30% Saturday and 40% Sunday.
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This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 9:40 AM.
