Palm Beach County could feel some of the effects of a “powerful” cold front that’s forecast to move into Florida in the coming days. The front is behind a line of storms that could bring tornadoes and large hail in some areas of the state, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network.
Temperatures Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be in the low-70s in Palm Beach County while other areas of Florida could see temperatures drop by as much as 30 degrees with the potential for strong to severe lightning storms as well, according to the National Weather Service, Melbourne.
That’s nothing compared to what almost 15 million people across the U.S. are facing, as a winter storm packing 80-mph wind gusts and snow is prompting blizzard and winter storm warnings.
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The system will stall across the central Plains into Thursday, producing several days of heavy and blowing snow, including blizzard conditions and freezing rain extending into the Upper Midwest, according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.
The center also warned “bitterly” cold temperatures are likely to impact the lower 48 states leading up to and continuing from Dec. 20 and Dec. 26.
Rain in Palm Beach County will taper off later in week
Parts of the Palm Beach County experienced rain late Tuesday and into Wednesday morning as the system headed south.
Robert Molleda, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Miami/South Florida Forecast Office, said Wednesday that more wet weather is likely as there’s a 30% to 40% chance of rain with the possibility of thunderstorms Thursday afternoon into the evening and Friday morning.
“We have a front moving through the area early Friday but in advance of the front is when we have highest chance,” he said of thunderstorms.
“Once the front moves through, we will see a gradual drying,” Molleda said, noting that the second half of Friday and Friday night will be mainly dry.
But the front will back up a little bit on Saturday, he said, once again raising rain changes. While the day is forecast to be partly sunny with a high of 75 degrees, the chance of rain will increase in the afternoon and rise to about 60% overnight, Molleda said.
The front will get another push south on Sunday, Molleda said, and there could be lingering early morning showers but the rain will clear out by the afternoon “once the front leaves our area.”
The forecast high for Friday and Saturday is 75, while Sunday is set to be in the low 70s, according to the National Weather Service. Morning lows are expected to be in the upper 60s on for Friday and Saturday, and will drop to the low 60s on Sunday into Monday.
In other areas of Florida, such as the Panhandle and North Florida, highs could drop over the week by as much as 20 degrees. Lows could dip by almost 30 degrees, into the upper 30s. Tallahassee’s low of 68 projected for Wednesday could drop to 39 by Saturday.