‘Blinding downpours’ possible Sunday in South Florida, forecasters say

Short-lived Tropical Storm Arlene has fizzled out, but South Florida is not yet free from the rain and thunderstorms that have intermittently rolled in over the last week.

Thunderstorms are expected throughout Sunday, bringing the possibility of lightning, gusty winds and flooding, the National Weather Service Miami said in a briefing. A few storms may be severe, the weather service said Sunday.

Broward County can expect storms after 2 p.m. and before 10 p.m., forecasters said. Experts estimated at least an additional three-quarters of an inch of rain, with more possible during thunderstorms.

Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade County remain under a flood watch until midnight. Trees and powerlines could be damaged by winds, according to the forecast.

The center of what was Arlene was located just south of the Florida peninsula about 10:30 a.m., making for another storm-prone day until what is left of the system moves farther east away from South Florida, the weather service said in a tweet.

The center of the remnant low is just to the south of the FL peninsula and the majority of the unsettled weather is displaced significantly to the east of this circulation. One more active afternoon is likely until the center of circulation is able to push further east of SFL pic.twitter.com/L9f0PzytmO

— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 4, 2023

Cities across Broward and Miami-Dade County have received between 1 and nearly 5 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday morning, according to the weather service’s data. Lantana in Palm Beach County had the most rain over the last three days, with a total near 6 inches.

After Sunday, showers aren’t likely until Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the forecast said.

Arlene formed Friday and dissipated into a remnant low Saturday night about 135 miles west-southwest of the Dry Tortugas. The National Hurricane Center does not predict any tropical cyclone activity during the next two days.

Colorado State University experts predict this hurricane season to see near-average activity, with 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The next named storm to form will be Bret. The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 30.