Weather alert: Flood, wind and high surf advisories issued for South Florida

South Florida’s dance with the deluge continues Tuesday. Several weather alerts have been issued, including a flood watch for the region and flood advisories for specific areas that have already seen up to 3 inches of rain. There’s more on the way.

Here’s what to know:

Flood watch

Miami-Dade and Broward: The National Weather Service in Miami issued a flood watch for coastal and metro Miami-Dade and Broward counties at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday and it is in effect through at least 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

What it says: “Previous rainfall combined with current and additional heavy rainfall could result in flooding across these urban areas,” the service said in its alert.

Forecast: “The soil is pretty moist. There’s still some ponding in certain areas, especially downtown Miami in areas that do have drainage that might be a little bit slower in those areas,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sammy Hadi told the Miami Herald Tuesday morning.

“There’s a potential today for more flood advisories and if conditions warrant, potentially a flash flood warning again,” he said. While Tuesday will continue to see rain ranging from a 50% to 70% chance it may comparatively be drier than Monday Hadi said. Heavier rains are expected Wednesday and Thursday at 80%.

“All this stuff to the south of us, if you look on the radar near the Keys, is going to lift northward along the waterfront,” he said.

Rain totals of 1.5 to 1.6 inches are expected to increase to 1.6 to 1.8 inches Tuesday night into Wednesday over the region, according to the forecast that led to the flood watch notice.

“Miami-Dade and Broward counties have also seen between two to five inches with isolated areas seeing up to seven inches of rainfall during the last couple of days. This has lead to the grounds becoming saturated over the region. Any additional heavy rainfall will lead to possible flooding conditions,” the service said in its alert.

Definition of flood alerts

▪ Flood watch. According to the National Weather Service, a flood watch means be prepared. “A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.”

▪ Flood advisory means be aware. “A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property,” according to NWS.

A flood advisory has been issued by the weather service on Tuesday through 5 p.m. because 1 to 3 inches of rain has fallen and another 1 to 2 inches could still fall.

These are the affected areas under an advisory: Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami, Kendall, The Redland, Pinecrest, Richmond Heights, Palmetto Bay, West Perrine, the Zoo Miami area of Kendall, Sunset, The Crossings, West Kendall, Glenvar Heights, Olympia Heights, Cutler Bay, Kendale Lakes, University of Miami, Miami, Country Walk and Richmond West.

▪ Flood warning means take action. “A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring,” the service said.

▪ Flash flood warning means take action. A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. “If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain,” the weather service cautions.

“Flooding can be really, really dangerous,” Hadi said. “It doesn’t take much water to move a vehicle. Six inches of water on the road can move a vehicle. Avoid flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.”

KNOW MORE: How much rain did South Florida get so far — and how much more is coming?

Wind advisory

In effect: Meteorologist Barry Baxter of the National Weather Service in Miami and CBS News Miami meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez issued a wind advisory Tuesday morning and it is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Wind speeds: Northeast winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are forecast along coastal Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Threshold: The criteria to issue an advisory is sustained winds of 25 to 29 mph and gusts above 35 mph, Hadi said. Gusty winds can blow around unsecured objects, tear tree limbs down and lead to power outages.

High surf advisory

Hadi also noted that the weather service has issued a high surf advisory, which includes a small craft advisory and a high rip current risk.

▪ The high surf advisory is for all Atlantic beaches through 8 a.m. Wednesday. Expect large breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet. The rough seas could lead to localized beach erosion.

▪ The high rip current risk runs through Wednesday evening along Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county beaches.

Chances are you won’t want to go swimming during the rainy week ahead but some of you may find these suitable surfing conditions. Note the weather services caution: “Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water.”

Special marine warning

Location: The weather service issued a special marine warning for Tuesday afternoon for Biscayne Bay and coastal waters from North Miami Beach to Ocean Reef out to 40 nautical miles, excluding the territorial waters of Bahamas. Locations include Virginia Key, Soldier Key, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, Black Point, Surfside, Coral Gables, North Bay Village, Indian Creek, Cape Florida and Bay Harbor Islands.

Hazards: Just after noon, showers were located along a line extending from 24 nautical miles east of Miami Beach to 8 nautical miles east of Cape Florida to Biscayne Bay, moving west at 20 knots. The hazard is wind gusts of 34 knots or greater.

Warning: “Small crafts can be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves,” the service warns.

Florida Keys: The National Weather Service in Key West also issued a small craft advisory for all coastal waters of the Florida Keys due to northeast to east winds of 20 to 25 knots, and seas as high as 7 to 10 feet across the Straits of Florida. The conditions are expected to remain into Tuesday night.

What to do in a rip current

Not heeding the advice? Here’s what the weather folks suggest should you head into the water and feel the tug of an insistent rip current.

▪ First, swim near a lifeguard.

▪ If caught in a rip current, relax and float.

▪ Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.

▪ If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Wind gusts so far in South Florida

On Tuesday, Gonzalez noted the following wind gusts totals in Miami-Dade and Broward over a 24-hour period.

▪ Pompano Beach: 36 mph

▪ Fort Lauderdale: 33 mph

▪ Miami, Opa-locka and Pembroke Pines: 30 mph.