Miami residents are bracing for a notable shift in weather as an arctic front is set to sweep through South Florida, bringing with it the coldest temperatures seen in over a decade. While a moderate 65°F and scattered showers are gracing the skies today, with an expected high around 65°F and NW winds turning to S at 10 to 15 mph, the outlook is about to make a dramatic turn for the brisker.
According to the National Weather Service, this weekend could witness some of the chilliest days since 2010, with records likely to be closely contested. An arctic cold front is anticipated to cruise across the region on Saturday, set to possibly dropping the temperatures. Residents should also look out for a 40 percent chance of showers, particularly between 10 am and 3 pm, as forecasted.
The conditions are expected to only intensify as the front moves on. "A significant drop in temperatures starts to occur," according to Local10. Brisk northwest winds, with sustained speeds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph, will sweep very cold, very dry air over Miami, including the Keys. Saturday temperatures will struggle to reach the low and mid 60s, far below the usual high for this time of the year.
As Sunday dawns, the forecasts suggest battling the wind chills in the low and mid 20s, with the mercury dipping to the mid 30s in metro and coastal areas. Normal early February lows hover around 62°F for Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but the expected lows will significantly undercut those figures. Even with the abundant sunshine projected for Sunday afternoon, the high is to not climb much beyond the low 50s.
This bout of uncommonly frosty weather could prompt locals to pull out heavier coats and make preparations to protect sensitive plants and outdoor plumbing. Monday, however, promises a slight reprieve, with sunny skies and temperatures working their way up near 60°F. While the evenings may still require layers, it looks like South Florida will begin to thaw from its brush with winter early next week.
