South Florida Fog: Sunshine & Warmth Return This Weekend

South Florida Weather: Fog Lifts, Warmer Temperatures on the Horizon

South Florida residents awoke to dense fog on Friday morning, but conditions are expected to improve rapidly, giving way to a stretch of warmer, sunnier weather into the weekend and beyond. The shift comes after a period of unusually cold temperatures, including record lows in some areas and a surprising influx of cold-stunned iguanas.

The National Weather Service issued a Dense Fog Advisory for portions of Broward and Miami-Dade counties early Thursday, warning of reduced visibility for drivers. The advisory was lifted at 9 a.m. As conditions began to improve. The fog formed due to low moisture and still winds, a common pattern in South Florida during the late fall and early spring.

“As we continue to go through the rest of the week with high pressure overhead, we’re going to be continuing to increase a few degrees every day,” said Sammy Hadi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami. The high pressure system will prevent temperatures from dropping as drastically as they have recently, creating a “dry and tranquil period,” according to the weather service.

While Saturday will remain relatively chilly, with lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s, a warming trend is expected to take hold after the weekend. By the second half of next week, inland areas could see high temperatures reaching the 80s.

Overnight lows will still be cool, hovering around the upper 50s in most areas. The recent cold snap followed record-low temperatures and the collection of thousands of cold-stunned iguanas, highlighting the unusual weather pattern that gripped the region.

The current weather pattern is linked to a moderate to severe drought affecting South Florida, with the Everglades experiencing extreme drought conditions. The dry air has contributed to the colder temperatures, and this trend is expected to persist until the region’s wet season begins in May.

However, the possibility of further cold fronts remains. Hadi cautioned that “we can still get significant cold fronts historically into March,” meaning cooler temperatures could return before the full onset of warmer weather.

The five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties indicates continued improvement, with sunny skies prevailing across North and South Florida, and only isolated showers expected in Central Florida. MSN reports that South Florida will enjoy calm, mostly dry weather through the end of the week.

Motorists traveling in areas previously affected by fog were advised to exercise caution due to the potential for reduced visibility. The fog formed overnight as condensation occurred with weak, variable winds, allowing moisture to accumulate and condense into fog. While less common along the coast, fog can form under specific conditions in coastal areas as well.