Hang on, ‘roller coaster’ of weather hits S. Florida

National Weather Service meteorologists are predicting a fickle week for Mother Nature in South Florida, saying temperatures and rain will give residents a “roller-coaster ride” of weather.

The coldest temperatures of the season are expected overnight tonight with lows dipping on the coast to about 50 degrees, beating last week’s 55-degree low.

Rain chances increase today to about 30 percent, but then drop off into a Wednesday expected to be mostly sunny.

The seesawing weather is caused by a high-pressure system traveling up and down the southeastern U.S. like a yo-yo, but also can be attributed to El Niño. During strong El Niño years, storms that form in California can travel along the subtropical jet stream, hitting Florida in a pattern.

“It changes the storm track, bringing the low-pressure systems farther south so they impact Florida,” Florida Climatologist David Zierden said about El Niño’s effects. “We’ll have a great example later this week when another low forms in the Gulf and tracks across Central Florida.”

The highest chances of rain today will be over Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Depending on the track of the low-pressure system later this week, it could bring showers and more severe weather to Florida.

Today’s high temperature is expected to reach about 70 degrees in West Palm Beach. By Friday, temperatures of near 80 degrees are expected.