Like the cool and the sun? Storms coming again to South Florida. What the forecast says
The rain is coming back.
Strong thunderstorms are forecast along the east coast and inland areas of South Florida on Thursday.
Expect heavy downpours of up to half and inch and gusty wind, along with an elevated rip current risk at beaches through the week, the National Weather Service in Miami said in a hazardous weather outlook.
Here’s what to know:
Coming up
Reason for the rain? “A week upper level low that’s coming from the Gulf over Florida tomorrow, so that’s why we’ve got some thunderstorms in the forecast,” weather service meteorologist Barry Baxter said Wednesday. Some of the thunderstorms could contain hail.
Chance of rain: A greater than 50% chance, mostly in the late morning, afternoon Thursday, Baxter said.
Temperature: Baxter forecasts lower- to mid-80s for the highs. The system is not really a cool-down, he said, so don’t expect the comfy lows of mid- to upper-60s Wednesday early-risers enjoyed. “It’s more of what we call a mid- to upper-level disturbance or upper-low coming across.” Look for lows around 74 Thursday and Friday.
Weekend forecast
Saturday: A weak front on Earth Day Saturday keeps rain chances around 30% Saturday, for just a slight chance of showers. Sunday and Monday “should dry us out a little bit,” Baxter said.
Sunday: Look for highs in the low- to mid-80s and lows around 72. A breezy northeast wind Sunday could bring gusts to 20 mph.
Perspective: CBS News Miami meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez notes that Plantation’s Earth Day Celebration at Volunteer Park should take place under warm skies with the potential for spotty showers.
Florida Keys: The Keys will be dry, keeping with a trend that has kept 2023 the fourth driest start of a year in Key West since records started in 1871. Only 1.01 inches have fallen since Jan. 1 in Key West, according to the National Weather Service in Key West. Marathon has had 4.07 inches, the 20th driest start since records began in 1950.
