Alert archive / Florida / Special Weather Statements in 2020

Special Weather Statement, NWS Miami, FL

August 4, 2020Palm Beach County, Florida

NWS Miami, FL issued this special weather statement at Aug 4, 2020, 3:42 PM EDT for Palm Beach County, Florida. It was in force for 48 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 4, 2020, 3:42 PM EDT (19:42 UTC)
Expired
Aug 4, 2020, 4:30 PM EDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Miami, FL

County Palm Beach County, FL

The radar

The Miami radar (KAMX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:44 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Cape Canaveral, FL (KXMR), launched 12:00Z, 7.7 hours before the alert went out and 186 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cape Canaveral, FL at 12:00Z on 2020-08-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1362 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cape Canaveral, FL at 12:00Z on 2020-08-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -17 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1362 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-22 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
875 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-17 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
4 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

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What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this special weather statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Miami, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Aug 4, 1:15 PM EDT, 2 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 4, 1:15 PM EDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Miami FL
115 PM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

.Aviation (18Z TAFs)...

Scattered showers and storms will continue along the east coast
through the early evening hours. Periods of sub-VFR conditions are
likely at times, especially for TMB/MIA/FLL/FXE. Winds have
shifted from the SW at MIA/OPF recently in association with an
outflow boundary, but S-SE winds should otherwise prevail. Storms
ending this evening with light and variable winds overnight.

&&

.Prev Discussion... /issued 917 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020/

Aviation...

Shower and thunderstorm coverage should increase over the next few
hours and continue through the early evening hours. Prevailing
VFR, but lower CIGS/VSBYS certainly possible if a thunderstorm
directly impacts any airfield. Light S-SE winds for the east coast
with gusty and erratic winds possible in and near thunderstorms.

Update...

Upper troughing will advance through the eastern states as
Tropical Storm Isaias tracks from the Mid Atlantic region towards
New England. A corridor of deep moisture remains in the wake of
Isaias from the Caribbean Sea into South Florida, as evidenced by
the 04.12Z MFL sounding showing a precipitable water value of
2.17 inches. This should result in scattered to numerous showers
and thunderstorms today given the expected forcing for ascent
along numerous low-level boundaries. The primary weather related
hazard remains the potential for localized flooding of urban and
poorly drained areas today. This threat should be most
concentrated along the east coast metro areas given the very
light southerly steering flow along with a slight onshore
component in the low levels. A few stronger wind gusts are also
possible today from any taller thunderstorm cores as they
collapse.

Prev Discussion... /issued 306 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020/

Discussion...

Short Term (Today through Wednesday Night)...

GOES-16 water vapor imagery this morning reveals robust troughing
across the eastern CONUS that extends into the northern Gulf of
Mexico, while the subtropical ridge remains situated just to our
east in the latest 06Z WPC surface analysis. These two features are
working in concert to aid S/SW flow in lofting a continuous plume of
tropical moisture across South Florida in the wake of Isaias as it
recurves towards the NE.

With that said, ample moisture in place, sufficient daytime heating,
lifting mechanisms via mesoscale boundaries, and the proximity of the
trough axis to the region indicate the atmosphere remains ripe for
convective initiation today and tomorrow. Hence showers and
thunderstorms are noted on radar early this morning along subtle
boundaries, mainly over the local waters. Activity should transition
over land through the afternoon and become more scattered to
numerous across South Florida before dissipating by early evening.

PWATs of 2+ inches noted in forecast soundings could translate into
a hydro concern, especially for the east coast metro where the S/SW
steering flow and subsequent outflow boundaries could result in
repeated rounds of heavy rainfall over urban and poorly drained
areas. Therefore, flooding is the primary concern with convection,
with gusty winds and frequent lightning as additional hazards
that could materialize with the strongest storms.

Additionally, heat indices today will range between 103 to 106.
While values are currently forecast to remain below advisory
criteria, areas to monitor as the day unfolds include Palm Beach and
the southwestern portions of South Florida. Otherwise, daytime
temperatures will soar each day into the lower 90s and only drop
into the mid to upper 70s to near 80 along the east coast
overnight.

Long Term (Thursday through Monday night):

Latest model solutions depict a mid level trough dominating most of
the eastern seaboard and into the Florida panhandle for the end of
the work week. Meanwhile, high pressure centered over the central
Atlantic will gradually build back into the area in the wake of
Isaias. But global models dont expand the W periphery of the ridge
enough to bring a typical easterly flow across the area, with
basically southerly/southeasterly flow establishing. Combined with
the aforementioned trough, the overall synoptic flow will result
in abundant tropical moisture advection from the Gulf region and
into the Florida Peninsula.

With the described synoptic scenario in place, expect increasing
chances of rain, along with potential for a few strong
thunderstorms each afternoon. Coverage will be widespread,
especially Thursday afternoon. But with the increased cloud cover
and shower activity, temperatures should then drop to near or at
normals.

For the weekend and into early next week, the ridge expands a little
more into the area, and the axis migrates into the northern
portions of SoFlo, bringing back a more typical summer pattern
dominated by afternoon sea breeze boundaries.

Marine...
Generally weak, southerly flow will remain across the local
waters through mid-week before high pressure builds into the
region, swinging winds out of the east by the weekend. Outside
of typical summertime showers and thunderstorms, relatively
benign boating conditions are expected.

Aviation (06Z Tafs)...
Dry, VFR conditions will prevail across all South Florida
terminals overnight, with coverage of SHRA/TSRA increasing around
12Z and continuing through 03Z. Sub-VFR vis and cigs, along with
gusty, erratic winds are possible if activity moves over the
airfields, but will handle with short-fused amendments.
&&

.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
West Palm Beach  77  90  77  90 /  40  80  20  70
Fort Lauderdale  79  89  79  89 /  50  70  20  70
Miami            78  89  78  90 /  50  70  20  80
Naples           77  91  77  91 /  40  70  40  80

&&

.MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
AM...None.
GM...None.
&&

Update/Aviation...34/SPM
Short Term/Marine/Aviation...11/HVN
Long Term...17
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 4, 8:12 AM EDT, 7 hours 30 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook for South Florida
National Weather Service Miami FL
812 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

AMZ610-630-650-651-670-671-FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-GMZ656-657-676-
050015-
Lake Okeechobee-Biscayne Bay-
Coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef FL from 20 to 60 NM
excluding the territorial waters of Bahamas-Glades-Hendry-
Inland Palm Beach-Metro Palm Beach-Coastal Collier-Inland Collier-
Inland Broward-Metro Broward-Inland Miami-Dade-Metro Miami-Dade-
Mainland Monroe-Coastal Palm Beach-Coastal Broward-Coastal Miami-
Dade-Far South Miami-Dade-
Coastal waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-
812 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...Localized Flooding Possible Today East Coast Metro Areas...

This hazardous weather outlook is for South Florida.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

Thunderstorms: Showers and thunderstorms this morning over the local
waters should become more scattered to numerous across the Florida peninsula
this afternoon and evening. Lightning is the main hazard.

Flooding: Localized flooding may be possible across urbanized or poor
drainage areas, especially if multiple storms move over the same
locations in a short amount of time across the east coast metro
areas.

Wind: The strongest storms may be capable of producing an isolated
wind gust up to 45 mph this afternoon and evening.

Waterspouts: A few waterspouts are possible over all South Florida
waters.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast each day, primarily during the
afternoon hours. Gusty winds, lightning, and localized flooding over
urban and poorly drained areas from heavy rainfall may be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Widespread spotter activation is not anticipated, however individual
spotters are encouraged to report high wind, hail and flooding to
the National Weather Service forecast office in Miami.

For more information...visit the National Weather Service in
Miami website at www.weather.gov/miami.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 4, 3:42 PM EDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
342 PM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

FLZ067-042030-
Inland Palm Beach County FL-
342 PM EDT Tue Aug 4 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN PALM BEACH COUNTY
UNTIL 430 PM EDT...

* At 341 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were
  tracking a strong thunderstorm over Belle Glade, moving northeast
  at 10 mph.

* Funnel clouds possible with this storm.

* Locations impacted include...
  Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, Canal Point, Belle Glade Camp,
  Lion Country Safari Park, Fremd Village-Padgett Island and
  Loxahatchee Groves.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. If
you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck! Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This activity was also developing in an environment favorable for the
formation of funnel clouds. Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio and
local media for additional updates and possible warnings.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. You can also share your report with NWS Miami on Facebook and
Twitter.

&&

LAT...LON 2669 8028 2658 8065 2673 8077 2697 8062
      2696 8061 2696 8050
TIME...MOT...LOC 1941Z 227DEG 10KT 2672 8064

FELL

The office that day

Everything else NWS Miami, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 4, 4:27 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMFLGlades48 min
Aug 4, 5:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMFLGlades47 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Florida, 2020Every special weather statement in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.