One-Two Polar Punch for South Florida Could Break Records

Introduction to the Polar Blast

If you think it’s cold now, just wait until Sunday and Monday morning. A second powerful polar air blast is on the way this weekend, and could produce the coldest temperatures in South Florida since the legendary and record-breaking freeze event of 2010.

Expected Temperatures

Fort Lauderdale and Miami should experience lows in the mid-30s Sunday morning, with wind chills at or below freezing, according to The Weather Channel. Daytime highs will only reach the mid-50s. The Keys will drop to the 40s Sunday morning and stay in the 50s for the afternoon. Temperatures in the western suburbs of Palm Beach County could drop to 32 degrees overnight Saturday into Sunday.

Historical Context

The National Weather Service said the last time temperatures dropped below 36 at Miami International Airport was Dec. 14, 2010. This upcoming cold front is expected to bring temperatures lower than that, potentially breaking records.

Cause of the Cold Snap

According to the Weather Channel, the frigid wind is emanating from northern Canada, along the shores of Hudson Bay, and will descend south and reach the sunshine state overnight Saturday. Early morning temperatures are projected to remain in the mid- to low-40s through Tuesday and rise into the 50s late next week.

Wind and Wind Chills

Winds will be gusty and quite strong through the weekend, blowing 14 mph to 18 mph and gusting up to 34 mph. “Wind chills are going to be very low starting Saturday night into Sunday,” said Caracozza. “We’re looking at the potential to drop to wind chills in the upper 20s here in the Miami area.” Overnight wind chills will be as low as 20 in Jupiter, 23 in Delray Beach, 25 in Weston and 26 in Fort Lauderdale.

Why So Cold?

In a nutshell, the already cold jet stream, which has been aimed at Florida, is getting supersized by a storm. Meteorologist Chuck Caracozza with the National Weather Service said that a strong and rapidly developing storm will move off the Carolina coastline Saturday and into Sunday. “The cold front associated with that system is going to move through the region and is going to drag unusually cold air down pretty far south,” he said.

Comparison to Past Events

This weekend’s blast will have similar temperatures to a record-breaking 12-day cold spell in early January of 2010. Parts of Miami-Dade County dropped to 26 degrees. The cause of the early 2010 blast was different, however. A high-pressure system stalled over Greenland and caused an atmospheric traffic jam where the cold jet stream remained aimed at Florida for almost two weeks.

Possibility of Snow

It will be cold enough, in some spots, for snow, but Caracozza said that there won’t be enough moisture this far south, in South Florida, for even flurries.

Five-Day Forecast

Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties:

• Wednesday: Forecasts call for a 20% chance of showers after 1 p.m. in Broward, while Palm Beach County can expect mostly sunny skies. Highs will be around 69 degrees. Expect north winds of about 14 mph.
• Wednesday night: Overnight lows will drop to around 49 degrees. A chance of precipitation remains overnight.
• Thursday: Expect sunny skies across the region. Highs will be around 69 degrees. Expect north winds of about 12 mph.
• Thursday night: Overnight lows will fall to 58 degrees in Broward and 55 degrees in Palm Beach County. Cloud cover continues overnight.
• Friday: Forecasts call for a 20% chance of showers in Broward, while Palm Beach County can expect partly sunny skies. Highs will be around 71 degrees. Expect north winds of about 7 mph.
• Friday night: Overnight lows will drop to around 54 degrees. A chance of precipitation remains overnight.
• Saturday: Expect a 40% chance of showers across the region. Highs will be around 66 degrees. Expect winds of about 19 mph.
• Saturday night: Overnight lows will drop to the mid-30s. Cloud cover continues overnight.
• Sunday: Expect sunny skies across the region. Highs will be around 55 degrees.
• Sunday night: Overnight lows will drop to the mid-30s. Conditions will remain consistent overnight.

Conclusion

In conclusion, South Florida is bracing for a one-two polar punch that could bring record-breaking cold temperatures. Residents are advised to prepare for the extreme cold and potential wind chills. It is essential to stay warm and safe during this period.

FAQs

• Q: How cold will it get in South Florida?
  A: Temperatures are expected to drop to the mid-30s in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, with wind chills at or below freezing.
• Q: Will it snow in South Florida?
  A: No, there won’t be enough moisture for snow in South Florida, despite the cold temperatures.
• Q: What is causing the cold snap?
  A: A strong and rapidly developing storm moving off the Carolina coastline is dragging unusually cold air down to South Florida.
• Q: How long will the cold weather last?
  A: The cold weather is expected to last through Tuesday, with temperatures rising into the 50s late next week.