Weather News

Miami’s big Memorial Day events need sunny skies to succeed. Here’s the forecast

A pair of helicopters from the 8-229th Assault Helicopter Battalion fly over a cargo ship departing PortMiami during a demonstration over South Beach as part of the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, held Saturday, May 24, 2025, during Miami Beach’s annual National Salute to America’s Heroes.
A pair of helicopters from the 8-229th Assault Helicopter Battalion fly over a cargo ship departing PortMiami during a demonstration over South Beach as part of the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, held Saturday, May 24, 2025, during Miami Beach’s annual National Salute to America’s Heroes. pportal@miamiherald.com

The Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Miami Beach on Saturday and Sunday. The waterfront Best of the Best Music Fest reggae and dancehall concert event Sunday afternoon at Miami’s Museum Park. The Great American Beach Party at Las Olas Oceanside Park in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

These Memorial Day weekend outdoor events demand the best weather South Florida can provide and, more or less, that’s what we’re going to get.

That is, unless “hot and steamy” with forecast high temperatures soaring to around 90 degrees and feels-like temperatures in the mid-90s makes you wince. Stay hydrated.

The forecast from CBS News Miami meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez also calls for a 20% chance of a “few showers” on Saturday and Monday. She puts Sunday at a 30% shot of “spotty showers.”

Her forecast mirrors the National Weather Service in Miami’s predictions — a Saturday night 40% rain chance is the high-water mark for this weekend’s wettest time.

The weather service’s Sammy Hadi says that drier air moved into the eastern half of South Florida Thursday morning, which will keep rain chances low into Friday.

But that is expected to change after Memorial Day, Hadi predicts. Expect a wet end to the month as showers and thunderstorms arrive starting Tuesday night and Wednesday. Afternoon and evening storm chances grow to 60% across South Florida.

We may then start to see the real start to our rainy season. Hadi foresees a 60-70% chance of “above normal precipitation” for the South Florida region in the next 8 to 14 days.

Rip currents

Rip currents at Miami-Dade and Broward beaches are expected to remain dangerously high through the weekend and the Monday holiday, Gonzalez said Friday morning.

The National Weather Service’s rip current alert through Friday evening likely will repeat.

The service’s tips on rip currents:

  • Swim near a lifeguard.
  • Don’t swim against the current.
  • If caught in a rip current, relax and float.
  • If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Beachgoers watch as planes soar overhead during the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, part of Miami Beach’s annual National Salute to America’s Heroes, on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Beachgoers watch as planes soar overhead during the Hyundai Air & Sea Show, part of Miami Beach’s annual National Salute to America’s Heroes, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:08 PM.

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
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