textproduct: Miami - South Florida

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 231 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

- Tropical Depression Two remains near stationary in the northeastern Gulf. This system will have no direct impacts to South Florida as it will be moving west-northwestward away from the area early this week.

- Heat Advisory in effect today for Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Peak heat index values will reach 104-108 today. Additional heat concerns likely again this week.

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms today expected to focus across northern portions and interior portions of the region. A strong thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out containing gusty winds and heavy downpours.

SHORT TERM

(Today through Tuesday) Issued at 231 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

Tropical Depression Two continues to circulate in the northeastern Gulf and is expected to slowly drift west-northwest early this week. Currently, the system is blocked by a combination of features including a ridge to its west, another ridge over the western Atlantic and a broad trough to its north across the Midwest and Mid- Atlantic regions. The ridge over the central and western U.S. is anticipated to strengthen a bit more in the short term which should allow it to become the primary steering feature for Tropical Depression Two. The system currently is expected to reach Tropical Storm strength later today, but will not pose any hazardous weather concerns for South Florida.

With this lingering pattern ahead of the tropical system progressing westward Monday night into Tuesday, more rinse and repeat weather is expected today with the outer edges of Tropical Depression Nine's circulation reaching the South Florida region, which will provide some forcing for ascent. Additional forcing will be provided by the sea breeze circulations and eventually should result in most of the activity developing over the interior and closer to Lake Okeechobee with a prevailing southerly flow. We will still see some scattered showers and storms near the coasts early this morning and perhaps again late in the day as outflow boundaries spark extra development. Storms today are not expected to become severe, but there will be an outside chance for an isolated severe storm via strong wind gusts as a lingering weak concentration of Saharan Dust creates some low- level and mid-level dry air along with inverted-V soundings. If any air parcels can take advantage of the unstable environment (SBCAPE 3000-4000 J/kg and MLCAPE around 3000 J/kg), rain-cooled air in this dry layer can downburst as stronger wind gusts. Most gusts will be sub-severe, but overall can't rule out an isolated severe gust occurrence given the parameters in place.

Heading into Tuesday, as the system in the Gulf pushes further westward we are expecting to see some drier air filter into the area with guidance hinting at PWATs falling to the 1.2-1.4" range. This would be below the 10th percentile for this time of year and an overall much drier atmospheric column across South Florida. The end result is expected to be drier weather with limited spatial coverage of showers and storms in the isolated to widely scattered variety. Most activity should develop over interior areas also as the sea breezes move inland during the afternoon hours.

With some drier conditions arising early this week, concerns for excessive heat will increase. High temperatures today and tomorrow are expected in the low to mid 90s. Therefore, with dew points in the mid to upper 70s and less shower and storm coverage mainly in Broward and Miami-Dade, a Heat Advisory has been issued for Miami- Dade and Broward counties. Max heat index values are projected in the 104-108F range today with major HeatRisk forecast across these areas. All other South Florida zones should avoid advisory criteria today as showers and storms provide some cooling relief, but peak heat index values will still likely reach the low 100s with moderate to major HeatRisk. On Tuesday, highs are expected to rise into the mid 90s for most areas and possibly the upper 90s for some interior locations.

LONG TERM

(Tuesday night through Sunday) Issued at 231 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

The mid to late week period this week maintains a mid-level and upper-level trough across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. while surface high pressure expands back over the region through the Wed- Thu time frame. The previously mentioned drier air mass is also likely to linger through this time period, which will keep rain chances lower and mostly in the 20-40% range. Highest chances will be over Southwest Florida as easterly flow becomes re-established for Wednesday and Thursday with the surface high expanding back over the area.

By late Thursday and heading into Friday, guidance continues to track a westward moving trough that could exhibit some weak tropical characteristics. Nevertheless, ensembles and most individual members exhibit this trough maintaining a weaker form with no identified near-surface circulation while either getting shredded apart or sucked into the trough pattern over the Mid-Atlantic. As a result, no major concerns are currently expected even if the system pushes across the Florida Straits or far southern Florida like some of the deterministic data suggests. Uncertainty still remains high, but at minimum PWATs are anticipated to rise back towards climatological norms by late Thursday through Friday and next weekend, which will lead to rising rain chances. Highest chances each day are likely over interior regions as this will be where the sea breezes and other boundaries collide.

Heat will be the other concern as temperatures are forecast in the mid to upper 90s each day through the end of this week along with drier conditions through at least Wednesday and most of Thursday. As a result, heat advisories may become necessary each day. Regardless if an advisory is issued or not, it is advised to continue to limit strenuous outdoor activities and take action when you begin to experience symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke because temperatures and heat index values will still be elevated.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 106 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

VFR is expected for the period. Scattered SHRA and isolated TS will mostly focus inland and away from terminals today with highest chances for on site activity being at KAPF. SE winds will increase after daybreak today out of the SE at 10-15 kts with gusts of 20-25 kts.

MARINE

Issued at 231 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

A moderate to fresh south-southeasterly wind flow will remain in place across the local waters early this week as Tropical Depression Two meanders in the northeastern Gulf. These winds are expected to reach hazardous levels today across portions of the Gulf waters at 20-25 kts. Seas across the Gulf waters will range from 2 to 4 feet with the Atlantic at 2 feet or less. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible across all local waters during this time frame.

BEACHES

Issued at 231 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

A moderate risk for rip currents exists for the Collier beaches today as a disturbance in the Gulf results in increased winds across the area. This risk may last through Tuesday before dropping off. Similarly, a moderate risk also exists for the Palm beaches today.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Miami 93 81 93 80 / 30 0 10 10 West Kendall 94 78 94 77 / 20 0 10 10 Opa-Locka 94 80 95 80 / 30 10 10 10 Homestead 93 80 93 80 / 20 0 10 10 Fort Lauderdale 93 82 93 81 / 30 10 10 10 N Ft Lauderdale 93 81 93 81 / 40 10 10 10 Pembroke Pines 95 82 95 81 / 30 10 10 10 West Palm Beach 93 80 93 79 / 50 10 10 10 Boca Raton 91 81 91 80 / 40 10 10 10 Naples 91 80 92 78 / 50 30 30 0

MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...Heat Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 7 PM EDT this evening for FLZ071>074-172>174.

AM...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for GMZ656-676.