Red Flag Warning for Boca Raton: Cold, Gusty Winds and Bone-Dry Air Elevate Fire Danger Today

by Weather Desk | Feb 23, 2026 · 8:08 am | Boca Raton News

Cold Weather Advisory, High Rip Current Risk, and Red Flag Warning in effect as sunny but chilly conditions hold across Boca Raton on Monday, February 23, 2026, with gusty northwest winds and hazardous marine conditions.

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026 · 4:49 pm

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Today’s Weather – Monday, February 23, 2026

BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Boca Raton wakes up to a different kind of South Florida day. It is sunny, but it does not feel like it. Early this morning, wind chill values were as low as 40, and the breeze has not let up.

For the Boca area, today stays dry and bright with a high near 60. The wind is the bigger story. A northwest wind runs 15 to 21 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph. That kind of wind is enough to push around patio furniture, make it feel colder along the I 95 corridor, and turn beach time into more of a bundled up walk than a swim day. In the western suburbs and open areas, the gusts can feel sharper and more persistent.

Tonight goes clear and cold again. The low drops to around 41 with a northwest wind around 15 mph and gusts up to 22 mph. If you are heading out late, it will feel raw for South Florida standards, especially in exposed spots near the Intracoastal or along open east west roads like Glades Road.

The National Weather Service discussion points to chilly and very dry conditions sticking around through Wednesday morning. The pressure gradient stays tight today and into tonight, which keeps the gusty northwest wind in place. That same wind is also driving very dry air across the region.

That dryness ties directly into the fire weather setup. The NWS says critical fire weather conditions will develop today across all of South Florida, with minimum relative humidity dropping into the 20 to 30 percent range across most areas, while winds run 15 to 20 mph with gusts in the 20 to 30 mph range.

At the coast, the hazards extend offshore. The NWS marine discussion says dangerous marine conditions continue today and tonight because of strong northwesterly winds and elevated seas.

For coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet down past Deerfield Beach out 20 nautical miles, the forecast calls for northwest winds 25 to 30 knots early, diminishing to 20 to 25 knots this afternoon. Seas run 9 to 12 feet, occasionally to 15 feet, with rough Intracoastal waters in exposed areas. Tonight, winds stay northwest 20 to 25 knots with seas 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet. Conditions gradually improve Tuesday, but it remains hazardous for smaller boats.

Current Advisories / Watches / Warnings

Here is what is active on the NWS page for the Boca Raton forecast area:

Red Flag Warning remains in effect from 9 AM to 7 PM Monday for all of South Florida. The NWS warns of critical fire weather conditions with northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, relative humidity as low as 24 percent, and temperatures up to 63. The alert notes that the combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Rip Current Statement with a high rip current risk remains in effect from 5 AM Monday through Tuesday evening for Coastal Palm Beach County, Coastal Broward County, and Coastal Miami-Dade County. The NWS warns that dangerous rip currents are expected and can sweep even strong swimmers away from shore into deeper water. The guidance is to swim near a lifeguard, and if caught in a rip current, relax and float, do not fight the current, and move parallel to shore if able.

Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from 3 AM to 9 AM Tuesday for areas including Coastal Palm Beach County, Metro Palm Beach County, and Inland Palm Beach County, along with surrounding counties listed by the NWS. The advisory warns of very cold wind chills as low as the upper 20s and lower 30s, with the stated impact that prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia. The NWS advises wearing appropriate clothing, including a hat and gloves.

Small Craft Advisory (Marine Zone AMZ650 and nearby zones) is now in effect until 1 PM Tuesday. The NWS cites northwest winds 20 to 30 knots and seas 6 to 11 feet, with hazardous conditions for small craft and a recommendation that inexperienced mariners avoid navigating in these conditions.

7 Day Outlook

Today (Mon): Sunny and windy. High near 60. Northwest wind 15 to 21 mph with gusts up to 28 mph. Beach conditions are dangerous with a high rip current risk, and fire weather is critical with the Red Flag Warning in place.

Tonight (Mon night): Clear and cold. Low around 41. Northwest wind around 15 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. Marine conditions remain hazardous with elevated seas.

Tuesday: Sunny, still cool. High near 63. Early wind chill values as low as 33. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Rip current risk remains in effect through Tuesday evening. Cold Weather Advisory runs 3 AM to 9 AM Tuesday. Seas gradually subside but remain elevated through the day.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 51. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Conditions begin to ease compared to the last couple mornings.

Wednesday: Sunny and noticeably warmer. High near 73. Light and variable wind becomes southeast 5 to 10 mph. Drier pattern still holds.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 63. Southeast wind around 9 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 78. Southeast wind 7 to 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 AM. Partly cloudy, low around 69. Southeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Rain chance 30 percent.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 PM. Mostly sunny, high near 82. South wind 7 to 11 mph. Rain chance 50 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms possible. Mostly cloudy, low around 69. Rain chance 50 percent.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms possible. Partly sunny, high near 81. Rain chance 50 percent.

Saturday Night: Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, low around 68. Rain chance 30 percent.

Sunday: Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, high near 79. Rain chance 30 percent.

Start your day with the latest Boca weather forecast, including heat, rain, and any active advisories.

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