Introduction to South Florida’s Drought
A gray, rainy weekend washed over South Florida, and while it brought some relief from March’s dryness and heat, it wasn’t nearly enough to get the region out of its drought, especially as dry conditions persist this week.
Lingering moisture in South Florida’s atmosphere creates about a 30% to 40% chance for isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday afternoon, but “any development would be expected to be shallow and weak in nature,” according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
Current Weather Conditions
From Tuesday night through Sunday, rain chances will fall to around 10% as “increasingly dry air” and breezy conditions will mar the region. Barry Baxter with the weather service said a weak, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, either. Each major South Florida metropolitan has seen well below the level of rain usually experienced during the region’s dry season. Miami is about 7.5 inches below normal, Fort Lauderdale is about 5.5 inches below normal and the area around the Palm Beach International airport is about 12 inches below normal, Baxter said.
Detailed Analysis of Rainfall Deficit
South Florida is also on the “tail end” of any cold front potential, Baxter said. High temperatures will hover around the mid-80s each day this week, with the heat index in the mid-90s due to the humidity. The low temperatures will be in the mid-70s. “Cold fronts will kind of stop coming down here early April, and then summer starts to show its face to us for South Florida,” Baxter said.
Impact of Drought on the Region
3/31 – Drier day today after portions of the region saw significant rainfall yesterday. There will still be some isolated to scattered showers/storms later this afternoon and evening, but likely not in similar coverage to yesterday. Temperatures expected in the 80s. #flwx pic.twitter.com/50HNvN4Nw2
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) March 31, 2025
Originally Published: March 31, 2025 at 12:05 PM EDT
Conclusion
In conclusion, South Florida’s drought persists despite the rare rain conditions experienced over the weekend. The region remains significantly below its normal rainfall levels, with little relief expected in the coming days. As the region transitions into summer, the likelihood of cold fronts diminishes, indicating a potential exacerbation of the drought conditions.
FAQs
- Q: How much below normal is Miami in terms of rainfall?
- A: Miami is about 7.5 inches below normal.
- Q: What are the expected high and low temperatures for the week?
- A: High temperatures will be in the mid-80s, and low temperatures will be in the mid-70s.
- Q: Is there a chance of tornadoes?
- A: Yes, a weak, isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
- Q: When does the summer season typically start in South Florida?
- A: Summer starts to show its face to South Florida after early April, when cold fronts stop coming down to the region.
