Miami braces for coldest temperatures in years as Arctic air grips nation

The coldest air of the winter season so far invades South Florida midweek.

Temperatures are forecast to drop to the 40s in Miami-Dade and Broward counties as north winds send chilly air over the region.

Leer en español

The big dip in degrees comes with the passage of a strong cold front linked to a low-pressure system that brought six to 12 inches of snow from parts of the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys into the mid-Atlantic region of the United States Monday into early Tuesday. Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport measured 7.2 inches.

The cooldown will be especially notable for South Florida, considering Miami has not recorded a temperature under 50 degrees in about two years.

Local 10 Weather Authority meteorologists say the forecast low for Miami, specifically, is 50 degrees Wednesday morning. However, some inland locations in Dade and Broward could drop to the 40s.

Miami is likely to officially achieve a low in the 40s Thursday morning, more than 10 degrees below average for this time of year. The last time Miami dipped to the 40s was Jan. 16, 2023. That is when a low of 44 degrees was recorded at Miami International Airport, the official reporting station.

The cold snap will last through the rest of the work week. Chilly mornings will be complemented by cooler-than-average afternoon highs, upper 60s to around 70 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.

A sense of normalcy returns to South Florida Friday afternoon when east-to-southeast winds take hold. What starts as a chilly morning will be transformed to a more seasonable day as temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-70s.

However, do not ditch the chilly weather gear. Another cold front could start its journey across the Sunshine State as soon as Saturday.