South Florida forecast high 80s-90s Memorial Day

South Florida is heading into Memorial Day weekend with hot, mostly dry weather after USA Today reported on May 22 that temperatures across Miami and Fort Lauderdale were expected to run in the high 80s and low 90s. The National Weather Service’s Miami office showed metropolitan Miami reaching the upper 80s on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day, with only a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Heat indices were expected to climb into the mid- to upper 90s, a level that local forecasters said could raise heat-related illness risk for people spending long periods outside. ### How hot is South Florida expected to get through Memorial Day? The National Weather Service forecast for metropolitan Miami on May 23 called for highs in the upper 80s on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with overnight lows in the upper 70s. The agency said Saturday would be mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, and it kept similar conditions in place through Memorial Day. (usatoday.com) USA Today reported that Miami was forecast to reach 88 degrees on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, while Fort Lauderdale was expected to stay near 87 to 88 degrees through the holiday weekend. The report described the period as dry and hot for much of South Florida. ### Why are forecasters focusing on the heat index instead of just air temperature? (forecast.weather.gov) CBS Miami reported on May 22 that humidity would push “feels like” temperatures into the mid- to upper 90s even as thermometer readings remained closer to 90 degrees. The station said heat indices were expected to remain in the upper 90s through the weekend. (usatoday.com) CBS Miami also reported a moderate to major risk of heat-related illness for sensitive groups and for people who are not properly cooling or hydrating. The National Weather Service’s Miami office separately highlighted heat products and hazard pages on its forecast site as part of its local planning tools. (cbsnews.com) ### Is rain expected to disrupt outdoor plans? The National Weather Service forecast for Miami-Dade on May 23 kept rain chances low, listing only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and 20% chances into the overnight period. Sunday and Memorial Day were forecast as mostly sunny with continued upper-80s highs. CBS Miami reported that weekend rain chances would stay around 20% to 30%, with more widespread showers and storms expected farther inland and toward the Gulf Coast because of the onshore breeze. (cbsnews.com) That setup suggested many Atlantic-side holiday plans in Miami-Dade and Broward would face heat more than washouts. That last point is an inference based on the forecast distribution described by CBS Miami and the National Weather Service. (forecast.weather.gov) ### Are beaches facing any additional hazards? CBS Miami reported a high risk of rip currents along South Florida’s Atlantic beaches on Friday and through the Memorial Day weekend. The station said the easterly breeze would strengthen into Saturday and Sunday, supporting rougher surf conditions even as skies stayed largely favorable for beachgoers. (cbsnews.com) The National Weather Service Miami office showed a rip current statement among its active products early on May 23. The office’s main forecast page listed the statement alongside its Memorial Day outlook and other local advisories. ### What does the forecast look like after the holiday? The National Weather Service forecast for metropolitan Miami showed rain chances increasing after Memorial Day, with a 40% chance of showers by Tuesday night, 60% on Wednesday and 70% from Thursday into Friday. (cbsnews.com) High temperatures were still expected to remain in the upper 80s to around 90 later in the week. (weather.gov) Memorial Day itself, on May 25, was forecast to stay mostly sunny in Miami-Dade with east winds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. The National Weather Service said the wetter pattern would become more noticeable beginning Tuesday night. (forecast.weather.gov)