South Florida Temperatures Forecast to Plunge
Introduction to the Cold Front
Put on a sweater and look out for falling iguanas this week — a major jolt of cold is forecast to greet South Floridians. A strong cold front will come through the region on Monday with a “pretty strong” northwesterly wind flow shifting more to a northerly wind flow on Tuesday, Chuck Caracozza, senior meteorologist at the Weather Service in Miami, said Sunday.
Expected Temperatures
“It’s a short blast, but a pretty strong one,” Caracozza said, adding that temperatures will be more like what is normally expected mid-December into January. The Weather Service is forecasting temperature as low as the upper 40s along the coastal areas of Broward and Palm Beach counties on Tuesday morning. Lower 50s are the forecast temperature in coastal Miami-Dade County.
Inland, especially in the communities near Lake Okeechobee, it could get down to the 30s.
Comparison to Normal Temperatures
The cold comes just after the region flirted with record highs — forecast to hit the upper 80s to around 90 Sunday afternoon. The kind of cold front that is expected to provide the bracing weather Tuesday morning starts to come through at this time of year, Caracozza said. “As for the strength of this one and the amount of cold, arctic air, this is relatively rare for this time of year.” The "most likely minimum apparent temperatures" for Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
Record Temperatures
The average low on Nov. 11 is 70 degrees in Fort Lauderdale and 68 degrees in West Palm Beach, according to WeatherSpark.com. The Tuesday morning cold isn’t likely to break any records, Caracozza said. The record low for Nov. 11 in Fort Lauderdale was 41 degrees and in West Palm Beach it was 42 degrees, both set in 1913, Weather Service records show.
Duration of the Cold
This week’s cold won’t last long, Caracozza said. “Tuesday you’ll notice a chill in the air. Everywhere is going to struggle to hit 70. Highs will be in the upper 60s across the metro areas” and in the lower 60s near the lake. It will start to warm up Tuesday night. Highs in the mid-70s are expected on Wednesday.
Impact on Wildlife
Iguanas don’t fare well in chilly weather, prompting some television meteorologists to issue falling iguana alerts. The non-native invasive species are cold-blooded, tropical creatures. They typically begin to lose mobility when temperatures reach 50 degrees. Below that, the cold can completely immobilize them. If that happens while they’re sleeping they can fall to the ground. They most likely will remain alive and will revive when the weather warms up.
Comparison to Other Regions
Those who don’t see the coming chill as refreshing, can at least be thankful they’re not in Chicago. The Weather Service forecasts “high snow rates and low visibility” Sunday night into Monday, and a winter storm watch was in effect for the Chicago area and northwest Indiana.
Conclusion
In conclusion, South Florida is expected to experience a significant drop in temperatures, bringing cold weather that is rare for this time of year. While it won’t last long, it’s essential for residents to be prepared and take necessary precautions, especially concerning the potential for falling iguanas.
FAQs
Q: What is the expected temperature in South Florida on Tuesday morning?
A: The Weather Service is forecasting temperatures as low as the upper 40s along the coastal areas of Broward and Palm Beach counties, and lower 50s in coastal Miami-Dade County.
Q: Will the cold front break any records?
A: The Tuesday morning cold isn’t likely to break any records, according to Caracozza.
Q: How long will the cold front last?
A: This week’s cold won’t last long, with highs in the mid-70s expected on Wednesday.
Q: What should I do to prepare for the cold front?
A: Residents should prepare for the cold weather by dressing warmly and being aware of the potential for falling iguanas.
Q: How do iguanas react to cold weather?
A: Iguanas typically begin to lose mobility when temperatures reach 50 degrees, and can become completely immobilized in colder temperatures.
