Palm Beach Records 17 Inches of Rain in Six Hours

Palm Beach, Florida, recorded 17 inches of rain in just six hours on Sunday, November 1, a weather event classified as a 1,000-year occurrence. The National Weather Service in Miami stated that such a rainfall amount has only a 0.1% chance of happening at a specific location in any given year. This total exceeded the standard criterion for a 1,000-year event, which is 9 inches, by a factor of 1.8.

The heavy rain did not stop in Palm Beach. Isolated locations in Glades and Hendry counties recorded between 4 and 6 inches of rainfall. Along the southeast Florida coast and around Lake Okeechobee, many areas received 1 to 3 inches by Sunday afternoon. In Miami-Dade County, intense thunderstorms produced estimated totals of 3 to 5 inches in some areas. These storms prompted a flash flood warning on Sunday afternoon.

Rainfall continued to accumulate through Monday. Near Melbourne, more than 2 feet of rain fell, with some areas recording over 26 inches in 24 hours. The rain remained persistent, and officials noted that final totals would be known only after the precipitation ceased. On Monday, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for North Central Miami-Dade County. This warning cited strong winds of at least 60 mph and ended shortly after 4 p.m.

The weather pattern shifted slightly as the weekend progressed. Heavy rain saturated the ground in several communities and flooded streets in South Florida. The unsettled conditions persisted through Monday, with radar showing frequent storm activity. Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli described the rainfall as staggering, noting that the United States experienced a third 1,000-year rainfall event in three days.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, November 3, which is Election Day, the forecast calls for a warm and humid day. In South Florida, scattered showers are possible throughout the day. High temperatures are expected to reach 86 degrees Fahrenheit in Miami. A marginal risk for flash floods exists from South Florida through the East Central region.

Central Florida will see a mix of sunshine and clouds. Temperatures will rise into the lower to mid-80s, with Orlando expected to hit 84 degrees. Occasional showers are likely in the late morning and afternoon. North Florida voters should expect passing showers, particularly in the morning and early afternoon. Jacksonville will see periods of sunshine between rain bands, with highs near 82 degrees.

The Florida Panhandle will remain mostly cloudy on Tuesday. Most of the daytime should stay dry, with high temperatures reaching the upper 70s. Rain chances are expected to increase late Tuesday night. The National Weather Service indicated that a few heavy showers and thunderstorms are still possible on Tuesday, with the heaviest activity likely over South Florida.