Some 1.6 million Floridians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday this weekend, so says the travel group AAA. Here's a look at what the holiday weekend has in store:
Weather
Labor Day weekend in South Florida should be warm and sunny, with just a few isolated showers or thunderstorms, said weather specialist Bob Ebaugh of the National Weather Service in Miami.
The high temperature is forecast to be about 90 for each day of the three-day weekend. The chance of rain or thunderstorms will be 20 percent Saturday, 10 percent Sunday and 20 percent Monday, he said.
"It should be quite nice and warm," he said. "Only isolated picnics will be rained on."
But swimmers should be careful at the beach because easterly winds through the weekend means there will be a risk of rip currents.
Gas prices
Brace for some pain at the pump. Gas prices keep climbing aggravated in part by Isaac's passage over the Gulf of Mexico. In South Florida a gallon of regular unleaded gas is averaging 13 cents higher than last week, from $3.91 to $3.94, and more than $4 for higher grades.
Traffic/roads
The Florida Highway Patrol will be cracking down on impaired drivers this weekend as it wraps up its participation in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
Airports
The busiest travel days at South Florida airports will likely be Friday and Monday. "We do expect a busier-than-normal weekend," said Allan Siegel, a spokesman for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. With roadways expected to be packed more than usual, fliers should plan to cope with any traffic hiccups.
Cruise traffic/ports: It should be smooth sailing at South Florida seaports after cruise ship activity was curtailed last weekend due to Isaac. Still check with your cruise lines before heading out in the event there's bad weather.
Freebies and deals
You won't have to work hard to score savings with our roundup of freebies and deals on dining and fun things to do around South Florida. We've got free entrees at Romano's Macaroni Grill, free entrance at South Florida museums and attractions as well as $4 savings on tickets to the Saturday home opener of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Go to SunSentinel.com/LaborDayDeals
