Approaching cold front could mean strong South Florida storms in early part of the week
Tuesday’s thunderstorms ahead of an advancing cold front in South Florida could be severe, Miami’s National Weather Service warned Saturday morning.
Amid the severe weather, a tornado hit Fort Lauderdale Saturday, sparking concern across Broward County and causing damage near Las Olas Boulevard.
The cold front is expected to be mild with highs in the mid-70s and overnight lows in the mid-60s. Here’s what to know.
How strong could the storms be?
While thunderstorm chances for South Florida have dropped slightly, the potential bangers could be strong. Forecasters’ concerns about the storms are:
▪ Wind gusts to 30 mph.
▪ Nickel-sized hail.
▪ Tornadoes: “There’s a very conditional chance that tornadoes could form with some of the strongest storms, mainly over the southwest coast,” Miami forecasters said in its hazardous weather outlook.
▪ Hazardous beach and marine conditions. Waves could crest as high as 7 feet at Atlantic beaches and there’s a high risk for rip currents.
When and where
▪ There is the potential for another round of strong to severe thunderstorms Tuesday, the weather service in Miami said in an early Saturday morning email alert. “But confidence is low at this time across South Florida,” forecasters added.
The storm chance Tuesday is 70% with wind gusts to 36 mph. Showers and possible thunderstorms are likely in the evening before and after 1 a.m. That cold front won’t be extreme, either, with a daytime high of 80 on Tuesday and a low of 66. But expect a bit chillier Wednesday with a high reaching 74 and a low dipping to 63.
The rest of the week has low chances of thunderstorms, according to the NWS.
▪ The Florida Keys has no severe weather alerts but rain is possible Tuesday night at a 60% chance.
▪ Bradenton has a 80% storm chance on Tuesday.
This story was originally published January 6, 2024 at 11:29 AM.
