Palm Beach County still in grips of severe weather; expect it to get worse this weekend

The weird, windy weather in Palm Beach County and the state continued Friday to cause inconveniences, but, thankfully, no chaos so far.

But the cancellations are starting to pile up, and things most likely will get worse on Saturday.

With Palm Beach County and South Florida under a wind advisory, with gusts up to 40 mph, occasional spitting rain and dangerous marine and beach conditions, the Lake Worth Beach Pier remained closed, while West Palm Beach canceled its popular Green Market on Saturday.

If you had plans to visit the Ferris wheel and Paradise Island at Sandi Tree in downtown West Palm Beach, cancel them; it will be closed through Saturday. Other holiday events from Jupiter to Wellington to Boca Raton also have been postponed or all-out canceled.

Click here for a constantly updated list.

As of Friday afternoon, 14 flights into and out of Palm Beach International Airport were delayed, according to the FlightAware tracking website. There were no cancellations. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport reported 92 flight delays with no cancellations.

The likelihood of cancellations may increase Saturday, with heavy rains due to hit South Florida. Anyone headed to an airport should contact their airline before leaving home.

The weekend weather, rainfall forecast for Palm Beach County

The icky weather will continue through the weekend, when an easterly flow off the Atlantic will crash into a wave of low pressure moving in from the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

"The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads and small streams the most vulnerable," said NWS forecaster Paul Ziegenfelder.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday activated the Florida State Guard to respond to any emergencies caused by the weather this weekend. The Florida State Guard, which is separate from the Florida National Guard, is an all-volunteer force spearheaded by DeSantis last year to assist National Guard members during natural disasters and other emergencies.

DeSantis said he directed the Division of Emergency Management "to prepare flood response and prevention equipment and instructed Floridians to plan for flooding, strong wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes."

Accuweather forecasters said they were particularly worried that tornadoes "may be somewhat stronger, or perhaps more concentrated" in the heavily populated areas from Hollywood to West Palm Beach and the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas.

More: Nasty weather putting Palm Beach County events on hold; Lake Worth Beach Pier closed

In Palm Beach County, there was a slight risk of coastal flooding during high tides Friday. In 24 hours, the county had 0.28 inches of rain; the monthly average is 0.36.

While forecasters only saw a 10% chance of precipitation Friday, those percentages increase over the weekend, with heavy rainfall and windy conditions (18 to 22 mph) forecast through Sunday. On Friday afternoon, the NWS issued a flood watch for southeast Florida, extending from the coastal areas of Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade County.

Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible over the region's eastern areas through early Sunday, the weather service said. Higher rainfall amounts are possible where showers and thunderstorms are concentrated over the same area.

There's a 90% chance of precipitation Saturday, with rainfall amounts between 0.75 inches and 1 inch possible. The chances for rain decrease to 50% on Sunday with thunderstorms possible before midday.

And don't underestimate the wind and heavy gusts. Forecasters say they could reach 41 mph.

"High-profile vehicles may be challenging to fully control on exposed bridges and causeways," said NWS meteorologist John Pendergrast.

On the Beaufort scale, which measures wind speeds and damage effects, 30-40 mpg gusts are considered "near gale," putting "whole trees in motion" and making it difficult to walk against the wind. Structural damage isn't expected until winds get up to 47-54 mph. Homeowners may want to take care of small loose items in their yards and pin down their holiday decorations.

All Florida beaches are under a high risk of dangerous rip currents, the NWS said, and there is a high surf advisory in effect for all Atlantic beaches. Palm Beach County beaches could see wave heights exceeding 7 feet. Frequent wind gusts to gale-force winds will continue through the weekend.

There's also a chance for thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and possible isolated tornados. "An isolated tornado can`t be ruled out, the NWS said, "especially for areas near Lake Okeechobee."

The threat of severe weather is likely to occur beginning Saturday evening and continue overnight into Sunday morning, National Weather Service Miami meteorologist Chris Fisher said.

This could all end when you wake up Monday, but then a mini-cool front kicks in, with temperatures expected to barely break 70 degrees amid breezy winds and an occasional gust up to 24 mph. Monday night will get chilly, with the forecast calling for a low of around 47.

Events postponed or canceled because of the weather

∎ West Palm Beach GreenMarket closed Saturday

∎ Lake Worth Beach Farmers Market closed Saturday

∎ Sandi’s Pancake Breakfast at Lake Pavilion is still on Saturday. (An indoor event that will still operate as planned and tickets are still available)

∎ The Ferris wheel and Paradise Island at Sandi Tree closed Friday through Saturday

∎ Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach, and its holiday display, will be closed Saturday and Sunday; expected to reopen 9 a.m. Tuesday

∎ Lake Worth Beach's Nerf Games, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15, was canceled

∎ Lake Worth Beach's Beach Bonfire, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15, was canceled

∎ Amber's Animal Outreach Christmas Pawtay fundraiser at Community Animal Hospital in Royal Palm Beach, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, was postponed to Saturday, Dec. 23 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.

∎ Delray Beach's 100-foot Christmas Tree closed Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16. A decision to open Sunday will be announced Saturday

∎ Palm Beach Zoo, and its holiday Zoo Lights, will be closed Saturday, Dec. 16

∎ Unity in the Community, 1020 11th Street, West Palm Beach, postponed until Saturday, Dec. 23

∎ "Dirty Dancing Live" at Old School Square in Delray Beach on Friday was postponed

∎ All events at Jupiter's Harbourside Place canceled through Saturday

∎ Wellington's Town Center events cancelled through Saturday

∎ North Palm Beach Holiday tradition events, including Santa's Trolley Rides and Santa's Fire Engine Visit, have been postponed

∎ Opening day of Palm Springs Village Marketplace Christmas Market, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, postponed and moved to Saturday, Dec. 23

∎ Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 16, is canceled. It will not be rescheduled.

∎ Margaritaville at Sea has canceled its Friday, Dec. 15, sailing. Cruise passengers are asked to contact Margaritaville at Sea for updates and to rebook their cruise at 800-814-7100, or email service@margaritavilleatsea.com.

Chris Bridges of the USA TODAY-Florida Network contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach weather forecast: Wind, rain continue to pound county