South Florida Braces for Coldest Temperatures in Over 15 Years

South Florida is experiencing an unusually strong winter cold snap this week, with forecasters warning that temperatures could plunge to levels not seen in more than 15 years.

Wednesday began with cool conditions, with morning temperatures near 50 degrees and inland “feels-like” readings dipping into the mid-40s. Afternoon highs reached the mid-60s under partly sunny skies, with a slight chance of passing showers.

Thursday and Friday will remain cool and breezy, with highs hovering near 70 degrees and overnight lows dropping back into the 40s and low 50s. A developing system in the Gulf may bring scattered showers on Friday.

The most dramatic shift arrives Saturday as a powerful cold front moves through. Showers are expected ahead of the front, followed by a sharp temperature drop and gusty winds up to 30 mph. By Saturday night, temperatures could fall into the 30s in some areas.

Sunday is expected to be the coldest day, with highs only in the mid-50s and morning wind chills potentially feeling like the mid-20s. Miami could tie its record low of 36 degrees, last set in 1909, while Fort Lauderdale may approach record territory as well.

The cold air is expected to linger into Monday morning, with another chance of record lows before temperatures slowly rebound.

Meteorologists note that temperatures in the 30s are extremely rare for South Florida. The last time Miami reached 36 degrees was in December 2010. Residents are urged to bundle up, protect pets and plants, and prepare for unseasonably cold conditions.