A funnel cloud was sighted over Interstate 95 just after noon Friday as a severe storm system moved through northern Broward and southern Palm Beach County. More stormy weather — with the potential for flooding — may last into the night, according to forecasters.
“We already saw the reports of the funnel cloud,” National Weather Service meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez said. “This could happen again with some other cells if they strengthen sufficiently. And we also cannot discount some damaging wind gusts.”
All of South Florida needs to be alert into the evening.
“Some of the storms could linger past 7 or 8 [p.m.],” Torres-Vazquez said.
Lightning is a concern, and hail remains a possibility.
“The main concern really with these is that really heavier rainfall component, and then with that the localized flooding,” Torres-Vazquez said.
Some of the storms have dumped 1 to 3 inches of rain per hour, and that becomes a problem if it occurs in areas that saw heavy rain about 2 or 3 a.m. when overnight storm cells hit.
The National Weather Service/Miami issued a special warning for areas in Broward and Palm Beach counties about the storm system, which is accompanied by torrential rains and high winds. The system is moving to the northeast. A flood advisory remains in effect until until 7:30 p.m. in some areas.
