South Florida is preparing for a rare combination of extreme cold, freezing temperatures, and dangerous winds this weekend as Arctic air moves into the region.
According to the National Weather Service Miami, multiple weather alerts will take effect Saturday night into Sunday morning, impacting inland and coastal areas from Collier County to Palm Beach County. An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for Glades, Hendry, and Palm Beach counties, where apparent temperatures are expected to fall into the middle teens to around 20 degrees.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Collier, Miami-Dade, Broward, and mainland Monroe counties, with feels-like temperatures dropping into the low to mid-20s, conditions rarely experienced in South Florida. Inland locations, particularly near US-27 and US-41, face the highest risk of cold-related impacts.
In addition, a Freeze Warning covers much of inland South Florida, including Glades and Hendry counties, where a hard freeze is possible. Overnight low temperatures are forecast to range from the mid-20s to low 30s, posing a significant threat to tender plants, exposed pipes, pets, and vulnerable populations.
Strong winds will arrive first. A Wind Advisory is in effect for all of South Florida from Saturday afternoon through early Sunday, with sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph, especially along I-95 and coastal corridors. High-profile vehicles may experience difficult driving conditions.
Marine conditions will rapidly deteriorate. A Gale Warning has been issued for Atlantic and Gulf waters, with northwesterly winds of 30 to 40 knots and seas building to 10 to 15 feet, creating hazardous conditions for all marine traffic.
Residents are urged to complete preparations before Saturday evening, protect people, pets, plants, and pipes, and avoid unnecessary travel during the coldest overnight hours.
