Key Highlights
- CBS Miami issued a NEXT Weather Alert for Monday, February 23, 2026 due to high fire danger.
- A red flag warning was in effect for Broward and Miami-Dade counties from 9 AM to throughout the day.
- Northwesterly winds of 15-25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, combined with low humidity, contributed to the warning.
The High Stakes of Fire Danger in South Florida
You might think this is new, but…
It’s a cold, windy and dry start to the week. And that’s not good news when it comes to dangerous fire weather conditions across South Florida.
A NEXT Weather Alert is in effect on Monday, February 23, 2026. CBS News Miami’s NEXT Weather team issued this alert at 9 AM when a red flag warning went into effect for Broward and Miami-Dade counties due to the high fire danger. A red flag warning is also in effect for the Upper Keys from 10 AM to 5 PM on Monday.
What Exactly Is a Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning means that critical wildfire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will occur shortly. With strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures, these conditions can lead to extreme fire behavior. The fire weather danger is real.
The Conditions Leading to the Alert
Northwesterly sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph, combined with relative humidity dropping to 20% to 25%, led to the red flag warning being issued. Not always.
The Broader Impact
But it’s not just about wildfires. There are also beach and boating hazards. Rip currents are a danger along Atlantic beaches, and there’s a small craft advisory for boaters in both Atlantic waters and the Keys.
Tuesday morning will be even colder with low temperatures dropping into the low 40s and upper 30s inland. A cold weather advisory has been issued for Broward and Miami-Dade counties from 3 AM to 9 AM as wind chill temperatures drop into the 30s overnight.
Why This Matters
The forecast is complex, with highs only reaching into the low 60s on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday will be a chillier wake-up call at 50s, and high temps won’t reach the 70s until Thursday and Friday morning.
And let’s not forget the travel disruptions caused by the blizzard in the Northeast. The impact is already felt across South Florida with thousands of flights delayed or canceled at airports like JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Boston Logan, Miami International, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood.
A Cautious Note
Passengers are being urged to check their flight statuses before heading to the airport. Flight disruptions could continue as crews work to clear runways of snow and ice.