Weather alert: Severe thunderstorm watch issued in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, other areas

The National Weather Service in Miami issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several Florida counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward.

The watch was issued after 2 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Counties under thunderstorm watch

Alachua, Brevard, Broward

DeSoto, Flagler, Glades

Hardee, Hendry, Highlands

Indian River, Lake, Marion

Martin, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee

Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach

Polk, Putnam, Seminole

St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia.

Why is there a watch?

Vehicles move through a flooded parking lot at Town Center in Aventura on April 24, 2023. Heavy rainstorms and flooding are expected in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area Monday and Tuesday.
Vehicles move through a flooded parking lot at Town Center in Aventura on April 24, 2023. Heavy rainstorms and flooding are expected in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area Monday and Tuesday.

Severe thunderstorms with golf ball-sized hail are possible.

Wind gusts up to 60 mph could spin off these storms..

Funnel clouds or a brief tornado is possible within the stronger thunderstorms.

Localized flooding and ponding of roadways will be possible in association with thunderstorm activity today.

A few waterspouts may develop over the Atlantic waters as well as Lake Okeechobee through today.

When will Miami and Fort Lauderdale see the nastiest weather? What the forecasters say