West Palm Beach, FLA. (WPEC) — Areas of dense fog have developed across interior South Florida early this morning. In some spots, visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less. There is also the potential for fog to drift closer to the east coast metro areas before sunrise.
Drivers should use caution, reduce speed, and allow extra space between vehicles. Conditions should improve shortly after sunrise as temperatures warm and winds increase.
Showers increase as cold front moves through
A potent weather system diving southeast along the East Coast is sending a cold front into South Florida this afternoon into early evening.
Ahead of the front, a broken line of showers is expected to develop and move from northwest to southeast. Rain chances will increase during the afternoon, especially as daytime heating peaks. Thunderstorm chances remain low, but an isolated storm cannot be ruled out near Lake Okeechobee and parts of northern coastal areas.
High temperatures ahead of the front will climb into the mid to upper 80s, making for a warm and humid afternoon before conditions change quickly.
Ahead of the front, high temperatures today will near record highs for Palm Beach County with most temperatures getting into the upper 80s. (WPEC)
Much colder air arrives tonight
Behind the front, strong high pressure building in from the northwest will tighten the pressure gradient, leading to breezy northwest winds overnight and into Monday.
Temperatures drop significantly behind the front. Across east coast metro areas, temperatures will stay in the 40s each morning through Wednesday but inland communities will see the upper 30s. (WPEC)
Cold air will surge into the region, dropping temperatures sharply:
- Upper 30s to around 40 degrees north of Lake Okeechobee
- Lower to mid 40s across much of the interior
- Mid to upper 40s along the east coast
With winds factored in, wind chill values will make it feel even colder:
- Low to mid 30s near Lake Okeechobee
- Mid to upper 30s across interior areas
- Lower 40s along the coast
Chilly Monday and Tuesday
Cold air continues to filter in on Monday, keeping afternoon highs in the lower 60s, well below normal for late February. Dewpoints will drop into the 20s and 30s, creating very dry conditions.
Monday night into Tuesday morning will likely be one of the coldest periods:
- Mid to upper 30s across much of the interior
- Lower 40s along the east coast
- Wind chills in the mid to upper 20s near Lake Okeechobee
Tuesday remains cool, with highs in the lower to mid 60s.
Fire Weather Risk
The drought conditions coupled with the elevated winds behind the front will drive an elevated fire risk. Red flag warnings are in effect across the Treasure Coast with Fire Weather Watches in effect for Palm Beach County and the remainder of South Florida.
The drought conditions coupled with the elevated winds behind the front will drive an elevated fire risk. Red flag warnings are in effect across the Treasure Coast with Fire Weather Watches in effect for Palm Beach County and the remainder of South Florida. (WPEC)
Burn bans remain in effect.
Gradual warmup begins midweek
By Wednesday morning, one more chilly start is expected as temperatures drop into the 30s inland and 40s along the coast. As high pressure shifts east, winds will turn southeasterly and allow temperatures to rebound.
A significant cool-down comes overnight tonight as cooler and drier air moves in behind the front. Temperatures will stay below-average until the end of the week when another front approaches, increasing moisture and therefore rain chances as well. (WPEC)
Highs Wednesday will reach the lower 70s along the coast and mid to upper 70s inland, with even warmer conditions expected Thursday.
Rain chances could return late in the week as another front approaches, but forecast details remain uncertain.
