Miami woke up under rumbling skies Sunday as thunderstorms and rain rolled across the county, turning the morning air thick and muggy and bringing the risk of brief but heavy downpours. At 5:35 a.m. EDT on May 3, Miami International Airport (KMIA) reported thunderstorms with a temperature near 76°F, a dew point around 73°F and very high humidity.
The most widespread and intense storms are expected this afternoon, especially between about 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., when slow-moving cells could deliver heavy rain, frequent lightning and gusty winds. According to the National Weather Service in Miami, many neighborhoods can expect 0.75 to 1.0 inches of rain today, with isolated pockets seeing 2 to 3 inches. That amount is enough to create a low-end risk of localized urban flooding that could slow commutes in the usual trouble spots.
Afternoon And Evening Timing
Shower chances start out scattered late this morning, then grow more numerous into the early afternoon. Forecast guidance shows a steady increase in coverage after 11 a.m., with the highest storm probabilities in the 1 to 5 p.m. window. Temperatures should top out near 83°F before sliding back into the upper 70s by late afternoon as winds shift to the north at roughly 8 to 12 mph.
Travel, Outdoors And Safety
Drivers can expect wet roads and slower traffic during the heavier downpours, with low-lying streets and poorly drained neighborhoods most at risk for brief flooding. For more context on the area’s active pattern and surf and rip-current concerns, see this deeper dive into Miami's stormy streak. If you have tickets for outdoor events this afternoon or evening, plan on keeping an eye on lightning and having a quick indoor backup. Airport and ferry schedules could also see delays if storms move directly over terminals or ports.
What To Expect This Week
The frontal boundary is forecast to stall just to the south of the area, so shower and thunder chances are expected to linger into Monday and Tuesday before drier weather and heat build back in by midweek. As outlined by the National Weather Service in Miami, temperatures trend back into the mid-80s to low-90s later in the week, with afternoon sea-breezes providing some relief along the coast.
