Miami woke up Thursday, April 2, to a steamy, partly cloudy start, with temperatures around 73°F at Miami International Airport and an easterly breeze already stirring things up. Highs should top out near 79°F, but the real headline for today is not the heat, it is the rough offshore surf and gusty onshore winds expected to stick around through Friday evening.
Rip Currents And Marine Hazards
The National Weather Service Miami has issued a Rip Current Statement for coastal Broward and Miami-Dade counties through Friday evening, April 3, warning that "rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore" and urging anyone heading into the water to stay close to lifeguards. According to the National Weather Service Miami, Atlantic seas are forecast around 4 to 6 feet with fresh to strong east winds and gusts up to 22 mph, and Small Craft Advisories are in effect for portions of the local waters.
Showers, Gusts And Timing
Scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms are most likely from late morning into early afternoon, roughly between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, with the greatest coverage along and just inland from the east coast. Most spots should only pick up light rain totals, generally under a tenth of an inch, but forecasters note the chance for isolated heavier downpours, brief strong wind gusts, and even small hail in a few stronger storms near Lake Okeechobee. The overall severe weather threat is described as low.
How To Stay Safe Today
If you are heading to the beach, stick to lifeguarded areas, follow the flag warnings, and if a rip current grabs you, float, stay calm, and signal for help instead of trying to power straight back to shore. Boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders are advised to postpone nonessential trips, wear life jackets, and secure loose gear, with choppy seas and gusty easterly winds expected through the holiday weekend. We flagged this surf and wind pattern in our March 31 update, this surf and wind pattern, but the National Weather Service's April 2 advisory keeps the risk active through Friday.
