Strong thunderstorms, 50 mph winds forecast for Broward County

Broward County was under a special weather statement until 5:15 p.m. EDT Thursday as a strong thunderstorm line threatened wind gusts up to 50 mph across south central Broward and north central Miami-Dade. The National Weather Service in Miami forecast no hail in the July 3 warning, but gusty conditions could continue through the evening.

At 5:14 p.m., the Weather Service forecast scattered to numerous showers and storms would build again each afternoon and evening across South Florida, with the strongest cells capable of frequent to excessive lightning and heavy downpours. The coastal metro area was already seeing storms move inland along seabreeze and outflow-boundary collisions, and forecasters expected convection to ease around 8 to 9 p.m.

Wind, lightning and water on the roads were the most immediate hazards for Broward residents. Gusts around 50 mph can make driving difficult on open stretches and exposed roads, especially for high-profile vehicles, and they can turn unsecured patio furniture, trash cans and holiday decorations into hazards. Forecasters also placed the coastal metro area under a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall, with heavy downpours possible in urban neighborhoods and other poor-drainage areas where water can rise quickly.

Peak heat index values were forecast between 103 and 108 across most of South Florida through the weekend, keeping the region in a moderate to major heat risk category. That combination of oppressive heat and afternoon storms can shorten the window for outdoor work, park visits and holiday travel, especially when lightning and blowing rain arrive at the same time.

The Weather Service expected isolated wind gusts to 45 mph to remain the primary threat Saturday. A similar setup already hit Broward and nearby Palm Beach County on June 15, when the Weather Service warned of 45 to 50 mph gusts, pea-sized hail and localized flooding in northern Broward and southeastern Palm Beach counties.