Recent Rainfall in South Florida
Introduction to the Rainfall
South Florida got drenched on Sunday and Monday with some much-needed rain. The region has been in a state of “extreme drought” for weeks, according to the National Weather Service, and much of it still is, even after the downpours.
Rainfall Totals Across South Florida
Rainfall totals varied widely across South Florida. Most of the area received rain totals of 1.5 to 2 inches on Monday but some areas were inundated by as much as 8 inches, and there was potential tornado:
— The largest rainfall total over the stormy 2.5 days was 8 inches just south of Homestead, and 8.54 inches northeast of Shark Valley in the Everglades & Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.
— An area northwest of Lake Okeechobee, near the Brighton Reservation in Glades County, got 5.5 inches.
— In Palm Beach County, the highest tally was 5.2 in Lake Worth and Boca Raton.
— In Broward, Miramar got 4.43 inches and Plantation got 4.25 inches.
Weather Forecast
After Tuesday, “we’re going to dry out beyond that,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Donal Harrigan. “So far we’re forecasting dry weather into early next week.”
Potential Tornado Assessment
Harrigan said a team of NWS meteorologists are in Palm Beach County assessing damage from a potential tornado that occurred Monday night between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Loxahatchee-Wellington area.
WPTV West Palm Beach reported that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to calls from The Acreage community regarding downed branches and a tree that was on fire due to downed power lines. Fire Rescue called it a ‘severe weather impact.’ It said there were no reports of injuries or deaths.
Conclusion
The recent rainfall in South Florida has brought some relief to the drought-stricken region, but it’s still not enough to completely alleviate the drought. The potential tornado in Palm Beach County is being assessed, and residents are advised to stay safe and follow weather updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest rainfall total in South Florida?
The highest rainfall total was 8.54 inches, recorded northeast of Shark Valley in the Everglades & Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.
Were there any reports of injuries or deaths from the potential tornado?
No, there were no reports of injuries or deaths from the potential tornado in Palm Beach County.
What is the weather forecast for the upcoming week?
The weather is expected to dry out beyond Tuesday, with dry weather forecasted into early next week.
Originally Published
Originally Published: May 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM EDT
