The scattered showers and thunderstorms this Sunday triggered a flood warning in Broward County, in South Florida, which was in effect during the afternoon hours.
The phenomenon is not isolated: the region is facing a very humid and unstable weather pattern that, according to forecasts, will persist almost the entire week with high chances of rain and storms each day.
The main trigger is the humidity associated with the remnants of tropical storm Dolly, the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season, which weakened to a tropical wave on August 28 after forming in the central Atlantic just a day earlier.
Their remnants crossed the eastern Caribbean this weekend, bringing rain to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. According to meteorologist Ryan Phillips from NBC Miami, “the persistent rains this week, spread over several days, would be beneficial” for South Florida, which is facing a precipitation deficit of between 12 and 15 inches in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
The atmosphere filled with tropical humidity will bring intense rainfall, frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds, and localized flooding in urban areas and places with poor drainage, especially during the afternoon hours.
On Monday, the pattern will continue with downpours in the morning and noon over the east of Florida, then moving inland and to the southwest during the afternoon. The chances of rain for both days are around 60%, with maximum temperatures near 90-91 °F and heat indices reaching up to 108 °F.
The most active periods of the week are expected between Wednesday and Friday, when the chances of precipitation could reach between 70% and 80%.
This rainy scenario comes at a critical time for the region. South Florida is experiencing its worst drought since 2012, with the Biscayne aquifer at historically low levels and a risk of saltwater intrusion into drinking water. Since September 2025, precipitation has remained below 50% of the historical average.
Regarding Dolly, the National Hurricane Center maintains a low probability that the system will manage to reorganize, although a reconnaissance flight by the Hurricane Hunter is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday near the central Bahamas if conditions permit.
The Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera warned on Sunday about the possibility of the remnants of Dolly reforming in the Bahamas area, northern Cuba, southern Florida, and the northern Gulf of Mexico, although he agrees with the NHC that this probability is low for now.
If the remnants head towards South Florida, the peak of the moisture surge would fall on Thursday and Friday, the rainiest days of a week that is already shaping up to be the most active meteorologically of the summer in the region.
Related videos:
Filed under: