Executive Summary
- High pressure brings dangerous boating conditions and rip currents to South Florida.
- Wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph are expected to persist through Saturday.
- Temperatures have dropped significantly with dewpoints in the 30s and 40s.
- A warming trend is forecast to return Sunday before another mid-week front.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Dangerous boating conditions and cooler temperatures define the immediate forecast for South Florida as strong high pressure builds behind a recent cold front. Meteorologists warn that a high risk of rip currents remains in effect for Atlantic beaches through the weekend, necessitating extreme caution for all marine activities.
Brisk northerly winds are currently generating hazardous seas, with frequent gusts expected to reach 25 to 30 mph. According to the forecast data, these rough conditions are projected to persist through at least Saturday. Concurrently, a cooler and drier air mass has settled over the region, dropping dewpoints into the 20s and 30s around Lake Okeechobee and into the 40s and 50s along the east coast.
High temperatures are forecast to reach only the upper 60s near the lake and the low 70s across the majority of South Florida. By Saturday, as high pressure shifts offshore and winds turn easterly, temperatures and humidity will begin to climb back toward seasonal norms. Highs are expected to rise into the upper 70s around the east coast, with readings around 80 degrees in Southwest Florida.
Looking ahead, a warm front is expected to lift north across the state on Sunday, increasing the probability of coastal showers. Another cold front is currently forecast to traverse the area on Wednesday, bringing a return of slightly cooler and drier air for the latter half of the work week.
Marine Safety Outlook
The persistence of strong winds and high seas presents significant operational challenges for small craft operators and recreational boaters along the Atlantic coast. While the drop in humidity and temperature offers relief on land, the marine environment remains volatile. Authorities emphasize the critical nature of adhering to rip current warnings, as the transition periods between high-pressure systems and approaching fronts often generate deceptive water conditions despite clear skies.
