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South Florida is preparing for one of its coldest days in months.
Starting from the night of this Monday and during the early hours of Tuesday, an arctic air mass accompanied by strong winds will transform the usual warm climate of the region into an unusually cold environment for this time of year.
The temperature drop, driven by a strong cold front, is expected to break records and bring a sharp change in temperatures.
“Temperatures are expected to be the lowest in the past eight months, due to an intense cold front,” reported Telemundo 51.
Lows could drop below 50°F (10°C) in urban areas and even reach around 44°F (6.6°C) in inland regions, according to the same network.
Detailed forecast: From Miami-Dade to the Keys
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) and local media, the passage of the cold front will bring a significant drop in temperature that will affect the area broadly:
-Miami-Dade: between 49 and 51°F in inland areas, and around 53°F along the coast. The wind chill could drop to as low as 44°F.
-Broward: lows between 48 and 51°F, cooler inland.
-Palm Beach: the western areas could experience temperatures of up to 44°F, while the coastal regions would remain close to 51°F.
-The Florida Keys: the minimum temperatures will reach 50°F (10-13°C), an anomaly for this tropical location.
-Other regions of the state: Tampa, Fort Myers, and inland Florida could experience even more extreme temperatures, close to or below 42°F, according to Weather.com and Newsweek.
“On Tuesday, the maximum temperatures will barely reach 69°F (20°C), and the nighttime minimum will be 62°F,” detailed El Nuevo Herald. The highs for that day will not exceed 70°F, which is quite unusual for the region in the month of November.
Wind chill: The wind will make it feel colder
One of the factors that will most contribute to the feeling of cold will be the wind.
Sustained gusts of between 25 and 28 mph are expected, which will cause the human body to experience even lower temperatures than those recorded.
“The wind will be blowing very strongly... which is why it will feel even colder, with wind chills around 40°F”, warned Telemundo 51.
Newsweek warned that due to the wind, "the wind chill will drop to between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit across the central-western and southwestern regions of Florida."
"Although I don't expect local frost at this time, with the wind it will feel much colder," warned meteorologist Matt Devitt, noting that the drop in temperature will be comparable to last year's harshest winter.
An unusual event: A historical record?
This cold front is not only intense, but it is also early.
"No cold has been recorded this early in the season in nearly 60 years (since 1966)," emphasized Newsweek.
The city of Miami, for example, has experienced only eight days in its entire history with minimum temperatures of 4°C or less before Veterans Day. The last time this occurred was on November 10, 1956.
In other cities like Tampa and Fort Myers, record low temperatures could also be set early in the fall.
Health and safety warnings
Authorities have issued multiple warnings for residents and visitors in South Florida.
The NWS recommends dressing in layers, protecting children and the elderly, and exercising particular caution when using portable heaters.
In the agency's words: "The low thermal sensation can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure."
Additionally, advisories have been issued for small vessels, particularly in the Atlantic waters, where waves could reach between 9 and 14 feet due to the wind. There is a heightened risk of rip currents until Tuesday night.
How long will the cold last?
The good news is that this event will be brief. By Wednesday, although temperatures will still be cool in the morning, a gradual recovery of thermal values is expected.
According to NBC Miami and the NWS, "temperatures will rebound quickly, with cooler temperatures still for Wednesday morning, but much closer to normal for this time of year by the end of the week."
Weather.com states: "The mildest weather will return to the central region of the country on Tuesday and will spread over much of the south and then the Midwest for the remainder of the week.”
Coats need to be taken out, but just for a short time
South Florida will experience a brief but intense cold snap that will set a record in recent climate data. Temperatures will drop to unusual levels for November, with winds that will further enhance the wind chill effect. It will be a short "frozen respite" in a region accustomed to heat, an event that many will remember for its intensity… and for how early it arrived this year.
As the National Meteorological Service stated: "There will be a 'rollercoaster of temperatures' over the next few days." Dress warmly and stay tuned for local updates to stay safe.
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