The National Weather Service in Miami is predicting heavy rain, gusty winds, and possible flooding will persist in South Florida over the weekend thanks to a developing storm system in the Gulf of Mexico. The agency said scattered thunderstorms could produce three to six inches of rain in the Miami metro area through Sunday morning with consistently strong wind.
"Conditions could further deteriorate on Saturday as a surface low develops in the southern Gulf of Mexico," the weather service said. "This system will progress eastward towards the Florida peninsula throughout the day, and could bring periods of heavy rain across South Florida throughout the day."
The 52nd annual Winterfest Boat Parade has been canceled in Fort Lauderdale out of concern for spectators and the nearly 100 boats participating. Best-selling R&B group Boyz II Men were set to serve as the event's grand marshals. The Pompano Beach Boat Parade and Boca Raton's Holiday Boat Parade have been axed as well.
Santa's Enchanted Forest, the Nightgarden event at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, and Winter Festival at Berry Farms were among the outdoor events that were canceled because of the blustery weather.
As of 2 p.m. Friday, National Weather Service's South Florida branch had a flood watch in effect through Sunday in communities stretching from West Palm Beach to Homestead.Fort Lauderdale, Florida l, Friday, December 15, 2023 - The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, has been canceled due to unprecedented weather conditions, including heavy winds and unsafe boating conditi... https://t.co/KfwppCHJjw pic.twitter.com/IhtiCi2Pne
— Winterfest Parade (@WinterfestInc) December 15, 2023
"An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out as well, especially for areas near Lake Okeechobee," an agency warning reads.
NBC6 Meteorologist Adam Berg said in his morning weather report that North Key Largo and Key Largo had experienced three to four inches of rain in the previous 24 hours. A flood watch is currently in effect from North Key Largo down to Key West, where another two to five inches of rain could fall.
The weather service is expecting surf to exceed seven feet and reach as high as 12 feet across South Florida beaches.
A wind advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday morning throughout South Florida from Palm Beach County down to Miami-Dade as winds could gust up to 45 miles per hour along the coast.
The stormy weather will usher in a wave of cold air on Monday with daily low temperatures ranging from 53 to 66 degrees.Good afternoon!
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) December 14, 2023
It has been quite windy today over SFL, and widespread gusts 40-50mph have been observed over the east coast metro (highest right on the water).
Unfortunately the windy conditions continue through Sunday morning, with a wind advisory remaining in effect.#Flwx pic.twitter.com/TGDfBXOnQ5
