Clouds, a gray sky and a brisk northerly breeze greeted Miami on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, with most reporting sites stuck in the low 60s. A chance of scattered rain showers hangs around through the day, and gusty north winds will make it feel cooler, even as highs creep up to around 72°F. Beachgoers and boaters should think twice before charging out early, since hazardous marine conditions and elevated surf are expected to affect the Atlantic coast through Thursday.
Rip Currents And Marine Hazards
A Rip Current Statement is posted for coastal Broward and Miami-Dade beaches through Thursday evening, and Atlantic seas are running 5 to 9 feet with Small Craft Advisories up for many local waters, according to NWS Miami. Swimmers are urged to stick to lifeguarded areas and follow the colored flag system. City of Miami Beach Ocean Rescue currently lists rip currents, jellyfish and possible thunderstorms among its active advisories. Offshore trips that are not essential are better saved for another day, and anyone heading out should secure loose gear and be ready for a rough ride until conditions subside.
Today And Tonight
Forecasters expect a chance of rain showers to linger into Wednesday afternoon, with a high near 72°F and north winds of 14 to 17 mph, gusting up to about 23 mph. Tonight, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms between roughly 8 p.m. and 3 a.m., with a low near 66°F and only light new rainfall anticipated for most of the metro area. We first flagged this wind-and-swell setup in our March 8 update, and we will let readers know if advisories change.
Weekend Outlook
High pressure is forecast to build late this week, bringing in drier air and a warming trend that should push highs into the mid to upper 70s by the weekend. Rain chances drop below 10 percent for much of the metro through the weekend, although a few coastal showers remain possible on Friday. Before you head for the sand or launch the boat, check the latest forecasts and beach advisories from NWS Miami.
