A powerful cold front will move over southern Florida in the latter half of this week, bringing with it the lowest temperatures the region has experienced since last March, as reported by Telemundo 51.
The frontal system will cross the area between Thursday night and Friday morning, preceded by an increase in cloudiness and the likelihood of rain and storms during Wednesday and Thursday.
After its passage, northwest winds will push a significantly colder and drier air mass into the state.
Day-to-day forecast
According to the forecast by meteorologist Ryan Phillips from NBC 6, this Tuesday, the maximum temperature will be around 84 °F (29 °C).
On Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will remain around 85 °F (29 °C), with chances of rain.
On Friday, temperatures will drop to around 78 °F (26 °C), with mostly clear skies, while Saturday will barely reach 72 °F (22 °C).
The most significant drop will be felt during the early mornings of the weekend.
In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the minimum temperatures could be around 58 °F (14 °C); meanwhile, West Palm Beach may record approximately 56 °F (13 °C).
Saturday's highs would range between 70 and 73 °F (21-23 °C).
Phillips explained that the minimum temperatures on Saturday and Sunday morning will range between 55 and 60 °F (13-16 °C), before recovering during the afternoons to values close to 70-75 °F (21-24 °C).
The meteorologist also predicted that sunny skies will prevail over the weekend, accompanying the arrival of cooler air.
Telemundo 51 noted that if the forecast comes true, it would be the first time since mid or late March that some areas of South Florida experience temperatures below 60 °F (16 °C).
What lies behind the cold?
The drop in temperatures is associated with an atmospheric pattern that will allow a deep trough to progress over the eastern United States and push a mass of polar air toward the southeast of the country.
According to Telemundo 51, the negative phases of the Arctic Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation can weaken or alter the atmospheric circulation that typically keeps the colder air confined to polar latitudes.
These conditions promote the movement of some cold air masses to the south.
However, this does not mean that the polar vortex will move directly over Florida.
This phenomenon occurs in the stratosphere, high above the Arctic, while the weather conditions closer to the surface are more directly influenced by the position of the jet stream and the troughs in the troposphere.
In this case, a more wavy jet stream and a pronounced trough will allow polar air, modified during its journey southward, to reach Florida.
Although it won't arrive with the extreme characteristics of the original Arctic air, it will be enough to cause a notable drop in temperatures.
Gradual recovery on Sunday
After an especially cold morning on Saturday, temperatures will slowly begin to rise on Sunday.
However, by November 15, morning lows will remain unusually cool for South Florida, with temperatures expected to stay between 55 and 60 °F (13-16 °C).
The weekend will be characterized by mostly sunny and dry conditions, with high temperatures gradually returning to between 70 and 75 °F (21-24 °C), according to the NBC 6 forecast.
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