BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — An arctic cold front is crossing South Florida on Saturday, bringing rain, gusty winds and a sharp drop in temperatures in what meteorlogists describe as a rare cold weather event not felt in at least 15 years.
A cold weather advisory is in effect for much of the region, with freeze warnings posted for inland areas.
Cloud cover increased early Saturday as the front approached from the west, following a brief period of sunshine. Weather cameras across the region, including views near the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, showed clouds steadily filling in ahead of the system.
Rain showers are expected as the front moves through, with the greatest chance for Miami-Dade and Broward counties between about 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Showers were forecast to reach Palm Beach County first, then spread south through Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys closer to midday, with the heaviest rain around noon.
“You got time to be in shorts, but time is running out,” said Local 10 meteorologist Brantly Scott.
Scott said temperatures will fall rapidly once the front clears the area.
“Yes, it is going to get cold and get cold very quick as we head into the evening hours,” he said.
Behind the front, brisk northwest winds sustained at 15 to 20 mph, with gusts of 40 to 45 mph, are expected to funnel very dry, cold air into South Florida, including the Keys.
Those strong winds are forecast to persist from late Saturday through early Sunday, creating dangerous wind chills that could drop into the 20s by Sunday morning.
Several cold weather alerts are in place across Florida, including extreme cold warnings for much of the state. Inland portions of South Florida are under a freeze warning, while coastal and metro areas remain under a cold weather advisory due to the risk of dangerously cold wind chills.
High temperatures Saturday are expected to reach only the low to mid-60s — about 10 degrees or more below normal for early February. Once the front passes, a very cold air mass will surge into the region, causing temperatures to plummet overnight.
Lows are forecast to fall into the low to mid-30s for metro and coastal areas of Miami-Dade and Broward counties by Sunday morning, with wind chills dropping into the low to mid-20s.
While sunshine is expected to return Sunday afternoon, highs are forecast to struggle into the low 50s. By comparison, the average low temperature in early February is about 62 degrees in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Officials urge residents to protect pets, plants and pipes and to check on vulnerable individuals as the cold weather sets in.
Click here for the latest forecast from Local 10’s Weather Authority.
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