MIAMI — The ragged edge of what’s left of Tropical Storm Alex is expected to pass through South Florida this week, bringing more rain and likely more flooding, according to forecasters.
Clearly, the storm isn’t done yet, despite losing its tropical characteristics Monday afternoon.
“There is kind of like a tail; we call it a trailing trough,” said Sammy Hadi, a forecaster at the National Weather Service’s Miami office.
Parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties were put under a flood watch Monday, just days after heavy rain swamped South Florida. As of 7:45 p.m. Eastern time, most flood advisories had expired but additional flooding could occur this week, according to forecasters.
As the disturbance crossed Florida, dropping up to 14 inches of rain in some spots, it dragged a line of moist air behind it, which can make it easier for more rainstorms to form.
“It’s not going to be a washout all the time, but it looks like the peak will be midweek,” he said.
Hadi also warned that the additional rain on already rain-soaked soil is bound to lead to more flooding in some spots in South Florida, hence the flood watch.
“This week, because our soil is so soggy, it won’t take much rain to have flooding,” he said. “Even if it’s just a regular afternoon storm, the soil is already saturated.”
Tuesday could be the soggiest day this week. The forecast calls for a 72% chance of rain in Fort Lauderdale and 71% in Miami.
Forecasters say the wet weather this week will run through the weekend.
“Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will remain possible every day through this week. The strongest storms may produce gusty winds and lightning strikes,” the National Weather Service’s hazardous weather outlook for South Florida states. “Heavy rainfall will also be possible for South Florida due to slow moving showers and thunderstorms. This could lead to some flooding concerns over South Florida, as the grounds are very saturated at this time.”
Forecasters say the amount of flooding depends on where you are in South Florida. New rainfall could be a problem for areas that are still draining water. It all depends on how much rain falls and when, according to the weather service.
In Miami-Dade, for example, the weather service says between a quarter and half of an inch of new rainfall would be possible Monday and Tuesday. In Broward, new rainfall amounts were expected to be between a tenth and quarter of an inch on Monday, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. On Tuesday, the weather service says Broward could see between 1 and 2 inches of new rainfall.
Remember, the ground is saturated. Not only was it rainy last week, but the disturbance drenched areas like Brickell and Hollywood. The most rain was reported in Hollywood, with more than 14 inches.
The heavy rain flooded streets, stalled cars and stranded drivers in downtown Miami and Brickell. It left some areas of Little Havana looking like a lake and overwhelmed Miami-Dade’s sewage system, causing overflows that pushed officials to close Virginia Key Beach and issue a no-swim advisory for parts of the coast.
Now might be the time to have “Rain, Rain, Go Away” on repeat.
Both Miami-Dade and Broward have a 50% chance of rain on Friday and Saturday, which is better but still a bummer. The Keys are looking nicer with a 30% chance of rain.
Forecasters expect Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny, even with the rain chances.
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(Staff writer Omar Rodriguez Ortiz contributed to this report.)
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