Democratic debate 2019: It's been hot in Miami lately -- will it stay that way?
Twenty four 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are seen in a combination from file photos (L-R top row): U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Kirsten Gillibrand, Michael Bennet and former U.S. Senator Mike Gravel. (L-R middle row): Former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke, U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard, John Delaney, Eric Swalwell, Tim Ryan, Seth Moulton, former HUD Secretary Julian Castro and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. (L-R bottom row): Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Former Gov. John Hickenlooper, Gov. Jay Inslee, Andrew Yang, Marianne Williamson, Mayor Wayne Messam, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. (REUTERS)
Candidates, the press corps and spectators heading to Miami for the Democratic Presidential Debates through Thursday can expect hot and humid conditions.
Where and when thunderstorms occur will depend on the precise location in the region.
Ten candidates will compete each night in The Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. The venue for the debates is located on the Florida mainland in Miami but is within a few blocks of the Atlantic coast.
The Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is shown, Friday, June 21, 2019, in Miami. The Democratic Presidential Debates are scheduled to take place June 26 and 27, with 10 candidates competing each night. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The weather pattern that has been promoting above-average temperatures with highs well into the 90s and lows in the lower 80s F will continue in coastal areas through midweek.
In late June, the average high temperature is 90 and the average low is in the middle 70s.
This month is on pace to be the third-hottest June on record for Miami. The city has seen temperatures soar above normal on 21 days so far this month and on five days, Miami has set or tied six daily record highs -- the mercury hit 96 on June 3; 95 on June 7, June 23 and June 26; 98 on June 24; and 97 on June 25.
The 98-degree high on Monday tied an all-time June record for Miami, and the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature topped out at 110.
The bulk of the spotty thunderstorm activity on Wednesday focused on interior South Florida and the western parts of the Atlantic coast cities. Aside from rumbles of thunder in the distance, thunderstorm downpours stayed away from the Adrienne Arsht Center thus far.
Amid the hot weather, brush fires have been a concern in the Sunshine State. Smoke from a large brush fire in the Florida Everglades in western Broward County is likely to stay away from Miami, but it could impact travel along U.S. Route 27 and Interstate 75.
Smoke and ash from the blaze can occur in the western portions of the coastal cities. The grass fire has grown rapidly since it first ignited on Sunday and has burned about 32,000 acres so far. Lightning may have initiated the blaze.
During Thursday and Friday, the weather in coastal South Florida and outside the venue is likely to change a bit.
More of a traditional, stronger sea breeze is anticipated to develop during the latter part of this week. In addition, a tropical wave, or weak disturbance, with some extra moisture will approach and move westward.
This subtle change will be enough to create some nighttime and early morning shower and thunderstorm activity near the coast.
Showers and thunderstorms that develops along the coastal sea breeze will push westward across the interior and Gulf coast areas of South Florida during the afternoon and evening hours.
The enhanced shower and thunderstorm activity might bring enough rain to help put out the brush fires.
The more traditional sea breeze will result in highs around 90 and an overnight low around 80 in Miami on Thursday.
For those still in town after the debate on Friday in Miami, conditions will be similar to Thursday with a morning shower or thunderstorm giving way to a partly sunny afternoon with a high in the upper 80s.
No tropical storms should pester Miami this week as development over the Atlantic Basin is not anticipated, according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert of the minute-by-minute forecast. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
