Miami is waking up mostly cloudy and around 72°F at Miami International Airport this morning, and the real action is loading for later. A cold front will move in on Monday, April 20, 2026, bringing scattered showers and a 50% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Some of those storms could pack heavy rain and gusty northeast winds. Beachgoers and boaters should plan on rough surf and a heightened rip current threat along Miami-Dade and Broward beaches through Wednesday morning.
Timing And What To Expect
Showers may sneak in before midday, with coverage peaking in the early to mid-afternoon and hanging around into the evening. Highs are forecast to reach near 80°F, but brief downpours will be the bigger story. Short, intense bursts could drop about a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain, which is enough to trigger localized flooding in poorly drained spots.
Winds will flip to the northeast and ramp up to sustained speeds of about 15 to 22 mph, with gusts up to about 28 mph tonight. It will feel noticeably breezier along the coast and over open water as the front settles in.
Beaches And Boating Hazards
The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a Rip Current Statement from 2 PM Monday through 11 AM Wednesday for coastal Broward and Miami-Dade. The alert warns of dangerous rip currents and hazardous surf, according to NWS Miami.
Small Craft Advisories are also posted for many local Atlantic waters, with seas expected to build up to 8 to 12 ft over the Gulf Stream by Tuesday. That will make conditions unsafe for small vessels and a rough ride for anyone venturing offshore.
If you head to the beach, stay near staffed lifeguard towers and pay attention to posted warnings. If you are caught in a rip current, the guidance remains the same: float and try to swim along the shoreline to escape the current, and call or wave for help if you cannot get out.
Commute And Safety Tips
Afternoon drivers should bring rain gear and give themselves some extra time. Brief heavy showers are likely to cut visibility and slow traffic on major routes. Outdoor events would be wise to have an indoor backup, and city crews may be busy clearing storm drains after the heaviest bursts of rain.
Anyone planning to get in the water should monitor lifeguard flags and local advisories before entering the ocean.
For more context on the recurring surf and wind pattern, see our earlier coverage on how rip currents rip into Miami beaches. This post will be updated if warnings are extended or changed.
