When will South Florida see nasty weather from Hurricane Isaias?
With Hurricane Isaias expected to strengthen to a Category 2 as it crosses over the Bahamas Friday and Saturday with winds that could reach 100 mph, the National Hurricane Center predicted South Florida could still see several inches of rain and tropical-storm-force winds Saturday and Sunday.
How much rain?
The potential: locally heavy rainfall, says the National Weather Service in Miami in its hurricane statement. “Particularly across eastern portions of South Florida where there is a marginal risk of excessive rainfall.”
That means potential flooding on roadways and into some homes in “vulnerable spots.”
If storm drains around your home are blocked with leaves and debris, now would be a good time to whisk them clean.
Add high surf and dangerous rip currents, along with minor coastal flooding, as likely events as Hurricane Isaias churns east of the coast, the weather service said.
South Florida could see between three and six inches of rain, said WSVN meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez.
How much wind?
“A reasonable worst case scenario at this time is for portions of Palm Beach and Broward counties closer to the coast to be potentially impacted by high end tropical storm force winds greater than 58 mph,” said Miami’s National Weather Service on Friday morning.
Some parts of the remainder of southeastern Florida could face potential tropical storm force winds topping 39 mph.
The weather service also warns that the wind could have “significant impacts” where conditions are expected to be felt the most, such as eastern portions of Palm Beach and Broward counties. These threats include some roof and siding damage on homes. If you have awnings and can safely take them down that might be a good idea. Take in unsecured and lightweight objects indoors, like potted plants and patio furniture.
Trees could also fall. Roads could be blocked from large debris. And there could be power outages.
The impact will be less in other parts of South Florida, the weather service said Friday morning.
The Florida Keys
“Hurricane Isaias is expected to remain well east of the Florida Keys and adjacent coastal waters as it treks northward on Saturday, but a small craft advisory may still be needed for eastern portions of the coastal waters through at least Saturday morning,” the National Weather Service in Key West said.
The Keys could see some thunderstorms.
Point and click graphic
The National Weather Service released a point and click map to give some details on weather conditions across parts of Florida from Naples and the Keys to Miami and West Palm Beach.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 10:24 AM with the headline "When will South Florida see nasty weather from Hurricane Isaias?."
