South Florida still under a flood watch as Arlene weakens to post-tropical, nears Cuba

Howard Cohen
·3 min read
3

Tropical Storm Arlene has run the gamut Saturday. From tropical storm to tropical depression to post-tropical cyclone.

Its maximum sustained winds have dropped from 40 mph at 5 a.m. Saturday morning to 35 mph at 11 a.m. and in the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. advisory — it’s last advisory on this system — winds were 30 mph.

Arlene was still moving south-southeast near 7 mph about 135 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas and on a track toward Cuba where it is expected to further weaken and dissipate over the weekend. The remnants should pass somewhere in the middle of Gulf waters between the Florida Keys and Cuba.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms — a 50% chance — were expected in the Keys Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Key West.

Arlene was forecast to degenerate into a remnant low by late Saturday, before dissipating, hurricane specialist John Cangialosi wrote in the earlier 11 a.m. advisory.

What Arlene did Saturday

A strong thunderstorm in South Miami-Dade late Saturday morning prompted the National Weather Service in Miami to issue a statement warning of 40 mph winds and possible pea-sized hail for areas including Homestead, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. Kendall heard the drums of thunder by noon.
A strong thunderstorm in South Miami-Dade late Saturday morning prompted the National Weather Service in Miami to issue a statement warning of 40 mph winds and possible pea-sized hail for areas including Homestead, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. Kendall heard the drums of thunder by noon.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Arlene.

But rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with localized higher amounts up to 5 inches were possible through Saturday across portions of the southern Florida Peninsula, the hurricane center said.

Saturday’s wet weather in South Florida brought hurricane-force gust wind to Fort Lauderdale airport and led to the partial collapse of an apartment duplex’s roof in West Park, displacing some families.

Severe thunderstorms moved through Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach and into Fort Lauderdale Saturday afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Miami issued a severe thunderstorm statement Saturday morning, through noon, for areas including Homestead, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay. Winds of 40 mph and pea-sized hail were possible.

Another was issued for Doral, Westchester, Hialeah, Miami Gardens and North Miami, with the same conditions, through 12:45 p.m. Saturday.

Flood watch

The Miami weather service issued a flood watch Wednesday for South Florida that was extended through Sunday.

Affected areas included:

▪ Coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties

▪ Far South Miami-Dade

▪ Inland Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties

▪ Metro Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties

▪ Glades and Hendry counties

Hourly rain percentage watch

Miami-Dade and Broward’s 48-hour hourly outlook Saturday for rain or storm percentages, according to the weather service.

9 p.m. Saturday: 41%

9 a.m.: Sunday: 60%

Noon Sunday: 63%

3 p.m. Sunday: 71%.

6 p.m. Sunday: 67%.

How much more rain will the Miami area see over the weekend? What the forecast says