Miami Flooding And Possible New Tropical Storm

Deep Tropical Moisture = Street Flooding For Miami.

An elongated tropical disturbance (now known as Invest 94L) that has been over the northwestern Caribbean Sea the last few days, and that has brought flooding rains to Miami-Dade County, has finally begun to track northeastward into the Bahamas. Rainfall recored already for the month of May in Miami is 12.30 inches (avg. 3.40), and kicking off a fast start to the summer wet season.

Metro Southeast Florida has experienced some very impressive rainfall totals over the last 72 hrs, and the system that is to blame for all the heavy precipitation is now possibly slowly organizing into a tropical low east of the peninsula. The National Hurricane Center Wednesday afternoon upgraded the outlook to 40% of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours or so for the weather system over the long holiday weekend.

Gusty winds in the low range of tropical storm force have been blowing across metro Broward and Miami-Dade Counties today, as the tropical system just offshore tightens up the pressure gradient. For a short time today, the National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning, but has canceled it in the last hour as winds have begun to subside along the coast.

Could We See Tropical Storm Beryl This Weekend?

Everyone will be closely monitoring the tropical disturbance going into Memorial Day weekend for any signs of becoming a sub-tropical or fully tropical storm offshore the southeast United States. There is some computer forecast support for development, and the current trends today to the east of the state possible show an organizing system. Keep tabs on the weather this weekend if you'll be along coastal area's of the southeast as there could be yet another tropical storm before the actually beginning to hurricane season on June 1st.

Tropical Storm Alberto Brings Early Start To Season

Tropical Storm Alberto has kicked off the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season a little early forming over the warm Gulf Stream waters. Alberto is currently off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina slowly moving west-southwestward, with winds of 45mph.

A hurricane Air Force recon flight will be investigating Alberto later this afternoon to see how organized he really is, although his satellite presentation shows a well developed low-level circulation that is exposed from deep convection as drier air has wrapped into the system.

At this time, weak Alberto is forecast to remain offshore and turn to the northeast and out to sea while remaining a tropical storm.

Early Onset To The Rainy Season

The last week or so has brought the onset of the Florida wet season almost 2 weeks earlier than the normal start in late May. Persistent troughs of low pressure along the eastern United States and Florida, has helped to transport deep tropical moisture from the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico enhancing rainfall totals across the peninsula.

The early start to the rainy season couldn't have come at a better time, as drought conditions were becoming worse as we moved into early May, and ground conditions were very dry fueling some brushfires across the state.

Some of the storms, as seen in the one above, have reached severe limits producing damaging straight-line winds and large hail. Even a few tornado warnings have been issued, as storms would track eastward and interact with the East Coast seabreeze boundary where the winds were more backed along the coast increasing low-level wind shear. Luckily none of the storms have become too dangerous outside of some damaging gusty wind's and lightning.

More thunderstorm action is forecast as we move into the weekend, although more isolated in nature with drier air in the mid and upper-level's moving by Saturday. Should make for a great beach weekend, but be sure to keep an eye to the skies as you get into the late afternoon hours when lightning will become more of a hazard to beach bums. 

Beneficial Rain Last Several Days Help FL Drought

Be Careful Out There On The Wet Roads, Slow Down and Avoid Hydroplaning When Driving Through Standing Water.

 

The traditional beginning of the Florida wet season doesn't start until the late May or so, but this past week it felt more like it got an early start. The last several days has brought numerous showers and  thunderstorms (some strong) each afternoon and evening.

Unfortunately, most of the heavy showers and storms were focused over the interior and eastern portions of the peninsula, leaving the west coast starving for more rainfall with the very dry conditions. However, the rain that did fall across the state was very beneficial in helping the drought conditions as we near the end of the dry season.

The lightning storms did help to spark a few small brushfires in Central and South Florida, but nothing that's out of control at this time. A weak frontal boundary will be clearing through the state this weekend and helping to dry things out, but could kick up the winds a little helping to spread some of the smaller fires. Nevertheless, it was great to receive some heavy rainfall the last several days… And we'll take it. Have a great weekend!