Fort Lauderdale Weather Radar

Fort Lauderdale Live Weather

Fort Lauderdale Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Fort Lauderdale cloud cover radar map and the Fort Lauderdale precipitation radar map.

Fort Lauderdale Hourly Weather Forecast

Fort Lauderdale 7-Day Weather Forecast

Fort Lauderdale Weather Overview

Fort Lauderdale weather radar is worth checking early because this city sits on the Atlantic side of Broward County, cut by canals, close to sea level, and exposed to both tropical rain bands and fast sea-breeze storms. A Fort Lauderdale weather radar loop helps separate a brief beach shower from a cell that can stall over Las Olas, US 1, or I-95. The NWS Miami office, WFO MFL, handles the warnings here, and Fort Lauderdale averages 60.95 inches of rain per year.

Fort Lauderdale weather radar matters most from May through October, when the wet season and hurricane season overlap. On April 12, 2023, Fort Lauderdale took 25.91 inches of rain in about 24 hours, with 20 to 26 inches falling in only 12 hours near the airport and Port Everglades, causing historic flooding and an airport shutdown. During Hurricane Irma in 2017, Fort Lauderdale recorded 9.90 inches of rain, and Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport logged an 82.9 mph wind gust.

Fort Lauderdale weather radar also helps on hot, unstable days that are not tied to named storms. Fort Lauderdale has reached 100°F, while the record low is 28°F, so the city can swing farther than most people expect. Still, flooding is the everyday problem. A Fort Lauderdale weather radar check before heading to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Port Everglades, or downtown gives you a faster read than waiting for streets to pond.

Fort Lauderdale Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Fort Lauderdale weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

Fort Lauderdale sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Fort Lauderdale's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Fort Lauderdale regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Fort Lauderdale, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in Fort Lauderdale get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

How to Use Fort Lauderdale Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Fort Lauderdale weather radar data.

Check the Fort Lauderdale conditions first

Start with the live conditions bar before heading toward the beach, downtown, or Port Everglades. In Fort Lauderdale, humidity jumps, wind shifts, and building clouds often tell you a sea-breeze storm is about to organize even before the rain core reaches A1A or Las Olas.

Play the Fort Lauderdale weather radar loop

Run the loop for a few frames instead of reading one still image. That makes it easier to see whether rain is sliding up the coast, training over I-95, or stalling near the airport where flood problems can build very quickly in Fort Lauderdale.

Match radar with the hourly forecast

Use the hourly forecast to judge whether the next burst is a 20-minute summer storm or the start of repeated tropical bands. That matters in Fort Lauderdale because lightning, flood-prone streets, and marina delays often linger after the first cell moves through.

Decide early for roads, beaches, and boats

If the radar shows repeated returns over Fort Lauderdale, give yourself more time on US 1 and I-95, rethink beach plans, and check Port Everglades conditions before heading out. Quick decisions matter here because warm-season flooding escalates faster than many visitors expect.

Who Benefits from Fort Lauderdale Weather Radar

How different people use the Fort Lauderdale radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Drivers on I-95, US 1, and Broward Boulevard can spot flood bands before the airport and downtown backup starts.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Beach walkers on A1A and runners at Fort Lauderdale Beach can dodge lightning and sea-breeze storms before they arrive.

Event Planners & Families

Las Olas, Riverwalk, and Port Everglades event plans get easier when storm timing is clear instead of guessed.

Outdoor Workers

Marina crews, roofers, and hotel staff can pause for flood bursts, lightning, or heat before exposed work gets risky.

Fort Lauderdale Weather FAQ

Common questions about Fort Lauderdale weather patterns and radar

When is hurricane season in Fort Lauderdale?

Hurricane season in Fort Lauderdale runs from June 1 through November 30, with the highest risk usually centered on August, September, and October. Broward County sits on Florida's Atlantic side, so both direct hits and rain-heavy brush events matter. Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017 are still the storms many local residents use as their reference points.

How much rain does Fort Lauderdale get each year?

Fort Lauderdale averages 60.95 inches of precipitation per year, based on the NOAA-backed climate table for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The wet season is concentrated from May through October, when tropical moisture and sea-breeze collisions can dump a large share of that rainfall in short afternoon windows. That is why radar timing matters more here than a simple daily rain percentage.

What happened during the April 2023 Fort Lauderdale flood?

On April 12, 2023, Fort Lauderdale received 25.91 inches of rain, and the NWS Miami flood report said 20 to 26 inches fell in only 12 hours around Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood, and Port Everglades. The event flooded roads, stranded vehicles, and temporarily shut down Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It remains one of the clearest reminders of how fast South Florida flooding can escalate.

How hard did Hurricane Irma hit Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale saw major effects from Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The National Hurricane Center report lists 9.90 inches of rain in Fort Lauderdale, 2 to 4 feet of storm-surge inundation across Broward County, and an 82.9 mph gust at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. That mix of tropical rain, coastal water rise, and damaging wind is exactly why Fort Lauderdale radar checks matter during landfall threats.

Does Fort Lauderdale ever get cold weather?

Usually winters stay warm, but Fort Lauderdale is not immune to sharp cold snaps. Long-term climate records list a record low of 28°F, which is rare for coastal South Florida. More often, cool-season fronts bring drier air, lower humidity, and breezy conditions rather than freezes, but even those fronts can change boating, beach, and overnight plans faster than visitors expect.

How is this Fort Lauderdale weather radar different from WSVN 7Weather or NBC 6 radar?

WSVN 7Weather and NBC 6 are useful when you want live local-TV coverage, meteorologist explanation, and breaking-storm video during active weather. This page is built for faster repeat checks, with an interactive radar map, hourly forecast, and 7-day outlook in one place. It is a cleaner option when you mainly need to judge flood timing, beach storms, or commute risk around Fort Lauderdale.