Ft. Lauderdale & last week's weather

[Stephanie]

I was on vacation down there from Wednesday through yesterday. It was really windy through Saturday morning and we had rain Wednesday - Friday (off and on). Thursday was the worst. At anyrate, they said that the weather that they were having was very unusual. The high pressure system was off the Atlantic coast and it blew easterly winds anywhere from 15 to 25 mph. There were reports of many rescues from the ocean due to riptides and I think that they had lost five people.

[Guest]

Actually Stephanie it is a bit out of the ordinary this early in the season.
But what we had was a strong onshoe wind flow, and the sea surface temperatures are running a little warmer then they should. So with the onshore wind flow from a strong high pressure, and the warm sea surface temps, this brings showesr onshore. I grew up in South Florida, and this windy pattern is normally during the winter or late spring.
The large strong high pressure has created problems for all of the east coast of Florida, even here in Jacksonville. The best thing to do is either stay out of the water, or if you swim, be near a lifeguard tower.
I hope you enjoyed your stay in the Sunshine State, I know it's a lot warmer then New Jersey!!!

[Stephanie]

Thanks Bob! EVERYTHING else about the trip was wonderful - the people, food, hotel, etc. It was definately warmer than NJ and as long as I was able to wear shorts, I was happy!