Weather News

There’s a theme to South Florida’s weather leading up to the holiday. We should be thankful

A traveler grabs his ticket from airport staff at the departures level inside Miami International Airport during the busy travel week of Thanksgiving on Nov. 23, 2022. Travelers to, and from, South Florida should expect clear skies and mild temperatures for the 2023 holiday, including Black Friday on Nov. 24, 2023.
A traveler grabs his ticket from airport staff at the departures level inside Miami International Airport during the busy travel week of Thanksgiving on Nov. 23, 2022. Travelers to, and from, South Florida should expect clear skies and mild temperatures for the 2023 holiday, including Black Friday on Nov. 24, 2023. dvarela@miamiherald.com

A day after Wednesday’s no-name storm swamped South Florida with up to 14 inches of rain in parts of Broward and 7 to 10 inches in parts of Miami-Dade, the National Weather Service forecast “quiet and benign weather for the remainder of the week with high temperatures in the low to mid-’80s.”

That favorable forecast follows through for a stretch through Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday for the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas, as well as the Florida Keys.

The only hazards noted for the preceding weekend are an elevated rip current risk for Atlantic coast beaches and minor coastal flooding in Miami-Dade and Broward during high tides on Saturday and Sunday. Lower and Middle Keys may also see coastal flooding through Saturday afternoon.

Holiday week ahead

“Mild and dry is kind of the theme through the next week,” weather service meteorologist Shawn Bhatti told the Miami Herald.

Rainfall chances are low from Saturday’s 20% to mostly sunny until Thanksgiving night and Black Friday when rain chances are still a low 20%.

“There is an approaching front possibly in the next week but it doesn’t really look like we’ll get get much rain out of that either — at least as of now,” Bhatti said on Saturday morning.

Temperatures from Saturday to Friday should hit the lower-80s, maybe a few upper-70s highs depending on the front.

Orlando weather forecast

If you are traveling to Orlando to visit one of the attractions or seeing family in the area for Thanksgiving expect similar clear skies and mild temperatures.

There is a 30% rain and thunderstorm chance Wednesday night, dropping to 20% Thursday and into Black Friday.

Orlando temperatures will approach 80 and the lower-60s during the nights Saturday through Wednesday. Thanksgiving night’s low is 59.

Motorcyclist sees flooding on 10th street in Brickell right after midnight on Nov. 16, 2023, and decides to turn around and go a different direction instead of attempting to drive through the water. Thanksgiving and Black Friday a week later will not be a repeat, the National Weather Service in Miami says.
Motorcyclist sees flooding on 10th street in Brickell right after midnight on Nov. 16, 2023, and decides to turn around and go a different direction instead of attempting to drive through the water. Thanksgiving and Black Friday a week later will not be a repeat, the National Weather Service in Miami says. Ashley Miznazi amiznazi@miamiherald.com
Howard Cohen
Miami Herald
Miami Herald consumer trends reporter Howard Cohen, a 2017 Media Excellence Awards winner, has covered pop music, theater, health and fitness, obituaries, municipal government, breaking news and general assignment. He started his career in the Features department at the Miami Herald in 1991. Cohen is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Communication. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER