Introduction to South Florida’s Weather
After two days of heavy rain across South Florida, effectively eliminating the drought in many spots, we may see more action on Wednesday. We sit just to the east of a strong upper-low, which tends to be the stormy side of these features.
Current Weather Conditions
A flood watch that was initially in effect for South Florida until 5 p.m. expired before noon. At the moment (mid-morning) we are in a lull, with heavy rain currently falling over both the Atlantic and Gulf waters. This lull will allow temps to climb, which could lead to thunderstorms later Wednesday.
Forecasting Challenges
We don’t expect much in the way of organized severe storms (though, you can never rule out a rogue strong storm), but we are concerned about possible flooding, especially considering how saturated the ground is already. Wednesday does offer up a forecasting challenge, however. Current cloud cover along with a plume of Saharan dust moving in from the Atlantic could limit our rain.
Impact of Saharan Dust
The plume of Saharan dust could potentially reduce the amount of rain we see on Wednesday. However, it’s not a guarantee that we won’t see any rain at all. The upper-low’s position and the amount of moisture in the air will still play a significant role in determining the weather.
Conclusion
Bottom line? The forecast is tricky, but we think a storm or two could still occur. This upper-low moves out Wednesday night, giving way to more sunshine and more heat. Look for a return of the 90s late this week and weekend. We never made it out of the 70s with all that rain on Tuesday.
FAQs
Q: Will the Saharan dust plume completely prevent rain?
A: No, the Saharan dust plume may limit the amount of rain, but it’s not a guarantee that we won’t see any rain at all.
Q: What can we expect from the weather for the rest of the week?
A: We can expect more sunshine and heat, with a return of the 90s late this week and weekend.
Q: Is there still a risk of flooding?
A: Yes, the ground is already saturated, so there is still a risk of flooding, especially if we see heavy rain.
