MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - South Florida residents and visitors alike have been dealing with chilly and soggy weather on this hectic, art-driven weekend.
The cooler-than-expected temperatures served as a rude awakening for tourists who had packed tank tops, shorts and bikinis for their trip to South Florida.
7News cameras captured shoppers along Lincoln Road Mall braving the rain and cold winds with umbrellas and hoodies.
“It is cold, windy, sprinkling,” said one woman.
We were expecting to go around for Art Basel, nice weather, and now we’re indoors,” said tourist Jeffrey Kalmin. “We have to buy umbrellas. Like, what’s an umbrella?”
Area restaurants turned on their outdoor heaters, as tourists scrambled to find warm clothes. “I’m in the market for a hoodie or a fleece or a jacket of some sort,” said Marcus Walker.
“I have a jacket and another shirt under,” said Fabian Lara.
“I packed swim attire. I don’t have anything that has long sleeves and here I am. I had to buy long-sleeve [clothing],” said Tania Richards.
“I went to get coffee to warm myself up, and it still wasn’t enough,” said Mariana Roblezo.
“I would hope that it would get warmer, and that we could maybe go on the beach, South Beach,: said Kalmin. “I mean, this is, like, iconic.”
“I need a tan. Do you see me?” said Kalmin’s Lincoln Road companion.
In Downtown Miami, locals and tourists made a run for it to stay dry.
It was a nearly identical scene in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, which thrived with art enthusiasts.
But it was a winter wonderland, Magic City edition, at Tri-Rail’s Miami International Airport Station. Twenty tons of snow delighted the little ones.
Outside a church event in Miami Shores, no one was complaining about the cold or the rain. With umbrellas in tow, families made it work.
Most visitors made it clear the weather isn’t stopping them from some weekend fun.
“It is what it is,” said Richards. “It’s beautiful. People are friendly. It is great.”
Some people actually welcomed the seasonal drop in temperatures. “I’ve waited the whole year for this,” said one man.
“It has been a long time since we have felt any cold weather here, so it’s nice,” said Arlene Lara.
The thermostat at the corner of Lincoln Road and Washington Avenue in South Beach read 63 degrees Fahrenheit at 10:06 p.m. Temperatures are expected to go further down late Saturday night and into the overnight hours, even hitting the high 40s in some parts of South Florida.
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