Brace yourselves, a windy NYE is on tap

Strap your party hat on tight Thursday night if you’re planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve outdoors. Winds will be blowing briskly into the New Year and beyond.

“It’s going to be breezy for the next few days, pretty much through the remainder of the year,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Paxton Fell.

South Florida’s winds are forecast to reach 15 to 20 mph with gusts of about 25 mph through Saturday.

The steady winds will make the region a kiteboarder’s paradise.

However, those who want to enjoy the water should also be careful. High winds will cause dangerous rip-current conditions for beachgoers and a small craft advisory will be in effect through 1 p.m. Friday.

Winds within the 40th and 60th percentile are considered normal. South Florida’s winds Wednesday were in the 97th percentile for this time of year. The forecast winds on Thursday and Friday would place South Florida in the 99th percentile.

“Usually we see these kinds of winds in October and November, when the seasons are changing,” NWS meteorologist Sammy Hadi said.

Winds are expected to decrease Sunday, but it’ll still be fairly breezy with winds of 13 to 15 mph and gusts of about 20 mph.

The high winds are being generated by a tightening pressure gradient caused by the interaction between a high-pressure system and a cold front.

“Any time our pressure gradient tightens we’re going to see these breezy winds,” Fell said.

Temperatures won’t be an issue during the next few days. Highs should be in the upper 70s to low 80s, with lows in the upper 60s to low 70s. Rain chances are minimal Wednesday through Saturday at about 10% and 15%.

A cold front is expected to come through Sunday into Monday, bringing lows in the upper 50s and increasing the chance of rain to about 20%.

SOUTH FLORIDASUN SENTINEL Windy conditions will be the norm for South Florida for the next few days, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.