Home Weather Windy, Rainy Memorial Day; Alberto Nears Panhandle

Windy, Rainy Memorial Day; Alberto Nears Panhandle

memorial day
South Florida’s Memorial Day will be windy and rainy at times as we continue to deal with moisture from Subtropical Storm Alberto.  Monday features clouds, some sun at times, gusty winds, and periods of showers.  As we saw on Saturday night and Sunday, the exact track of bands of heavy showers will determine how much rain we get — or if the heaviest downpours remain well offshore.  The flood watch for South Florida has been extended until at least 6 pm on Monday because our ground is still saturated from nearly 2 weeks of rain.  And a high risk of dangerous rip currents remains in effect at all South Florida beaches on what will definitely not be a good beach day.  Monday’s highs will be in the mid 80s.
Subtropical Storm Alberto is expected to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle around midday on Monday, but the area is already getting heavy rains and strong winds.  At 5 am Monday, Alberto was located near 28.6 North, 86.2 West, and was moving northwest at 7 miles per hour.  Maximum sustained winds were 65 miles per hour.  A tropical storm warning remains in effect from the Suwanee River to the Mississippi/Alabama border.  Alberto will weaken after landfall but remain a major rain event for the southeastern states and the Mississippi Valley.
Back in South Florida, the workweek will gradually transition into our usual rainy season pattern.  Look for periods of showers, clouds, and some sun on Tuesday.  A high risk of dangerous rip currents will remain at the Gulf beaches, and the risk of rip currents will decrease to a moderate level along the Atlantic coast.  Highs on Tuesday will be in the mid 80s.  Wednesday will bring some sun, clouds, and passing showers.  Wednesday’s highs will be in the mid 80s.  Thursday will feature a mix of sun and clouds, and we’ll also see some showers at times.  Thursday’s highs will be in the mid to upper 80s.  Friday’s forecast will include sun, clouds, and periods of showers.  Highs on Friday will be mostly in the upper 80s.
Donna Thomas has studied hurricanes for two decades. She holds a PhD in history when her experience with Hurricane Andrew ultimately led her to earn a degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. Donna spent 15 years at WFOR-TV (CBS4 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale), where she worked as a weather producer with hurricane experts Bryan Norcross and David Bernard. She also produced hurricane specials and weather-related features and news coverage, as well as serving as pool TV producer at the National Hurricane Center during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Donna also served as a researcher on NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis Project. Donna specializes in Florida's hurricane history.