Alert archive / Florida / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 96, NWS Melbourne, FL

August 17, 2026Orange County, Osceola County, Florida

NWS Melbourne, FL issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 17, 2026, 4:43 PM EDT for Orange County, Osceola County, Florida. It was in force for 19 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 17, 2026, 4:43 PM EDT (20:43 UTC)
Expired
Aug 17, 2026, 5:02 PM EDT
In force
19 min
Issued by
NWS Melbourne, FL
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Orange County, FL, Osceola County, FL

The radar

The Melbourne radar (KMLB), 71 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:47 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Tampa Bay, FL (KTBW), launched 12:00Z, 8.7 hours before the alert went out and 130 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, Tampa Bay, FL at 12:00Z on 2026-08-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2132 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, Tampa Bay, FL at 12:00Z on 2026-08-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -24 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
2132 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
875 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
2 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-24 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-79 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

905 
WUUS52 KMLB 172043
SVRMLB
FLC095-097-172130-
/O.NEW.KMLB.SV.W.0096.260817T2043Z-260817T2130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
443 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  South central Orange County in east central Florida...
  North central Osceola County in east central Florida...

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 443 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Orlando
  International Airport, moving southeast at 15 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Orlando, Kissimmee, Orlando International Airport, Buena Ventura
  Lakes, and East Lake Toho.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 2835 8145 2848 8135 2844 8110 2826 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 300DEG 11KT 2839 8134 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Weitlich
2 follow-up statements
695 
WWUS52 KMLB 172054
SVSMLB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
454 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

FLC095-097-172130-
/O.CON.KMLB.SV.W.0096.000000T0000Z-260817T2130Z/
Orange FL-Osceola FL-
454 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM EDT
FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ORANGE AND NORTH CENTRAL OSCEOLA COUNTIES...

At 454 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Austin Tindall
Park, or near Orlando International Airport, moving southeast at 15
mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
Orlando, Kissimmee, Orlando International Airport, Buena Ventura
Lakes, and East Lake Toho.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 2833 8141 2846 8133 2844 8110 2826 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 2054Z 293DEG 12KT 2837 8129 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Weitlich
114 
WWUS52 KMLB 172102
SVSMLB

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
502 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

FLC095-097-172111-
/O.CAN.KMLB.SV.W.0096.000000T0000Z-260817T2130Z/
Orange FL-Osceola FL-
502 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL ORANGE AND NORTH
CENTRAL OSCEOLA COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

LAT...LON 2833 8141 2846 8133 2844 8110 2826 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 2101Z 300DEG 11KT 2836 8127 

$$

Weitlich

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Melbourne, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 17, 2:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Issued at 241 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026
  • A Heat Advisory is in effect for all east central Florida counties until 8 PM this evening for peak heat indices of 108F to 112F. Practice heat safety! Additional Heat Advisories may be needed.
  • Heat concerns persist across east central Florida through at least mid- week due to above-normal afternoon highs and peak heat indices nearing or reaching Heat Advisory criteria.
  • A tight moisture gradient today will lead to higher rain chances across the north, with increasing moisture areawide from Tuesday onward supporting a return to near-normal rain and storm chances across east central Florida.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 17, 2:51 PM EDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
251 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...New KEY MESSAGES, DISCUSSION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 241 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

- A Heat Advisory is in effect for all east central Florida
  counties until 8 PM this evening for peak heat indices of 108F
  to 112F. Practice heat safety! Additional Heat Advisories may
  be needed.

- Heat concerns persist across east central Florida through at
  least mid- week due to above-normal afternoon highs and peak
  heat indices nearing or reaching Heat Advisory criteria.

- A tight moisture gradient today will lead to higher rain chances
  across the north, with increasing moisture areawide from Tuesday
  onward supporting a return to near-normal rain and storm chances
  across east central Florida.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 241 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Today-Tonight... Broad upper level high pressure across the southern
US and Florida will remain in place through the day. At the surface,
high pressure across the Gulf will remain in place with the Atlantic
ridge axis drifting southwards as a weakening frontal boundary
shifts southward across the southeastern US. Locally, offshore flow
will persist, both at the surface and aloft, with flow remaining
weak. The east coast sea breeze has formed this afternoon, mainly
from Cape Canaveral southward, turning the winds south to
southeasterly along the coast. The sea breeze is forecast to form
north of Cape Canaveral as well later this afternoon, but is
expected to remain fairly close to the coast. A pool of higher
moisture (PW values of 2.0-2.3") will filter down across the
northern part of the CWA head of the aforementioned frontal
boundary, while drier air (PW values around 1.6-1.9") remains across
the southern part of the warning area. This will result in better
rain chances across the north, mainly from Kissimmee to Cape
Canaveral northward, where rain chances are 20-50 percent this
afternoon. Already this afternoon we have scattered showers and
storms moving in from the west coast of Florida, and moving
across Lake County and into Volusia County.

The environment will support convection this afternoon, with
forecast soundings showing  plenty of instability (MUCAPE 2000-2500
J/kg), ample buoyancy (Lifted Index of -5 to -7), and sufficient dry
air aloft with downdraft potential (DCAPE 900-1300 J/kg). Main storm
hazards today will be frequent lightning strikes, gusty winds up to
55 mph, and locally heavy downpours. Storm motion will be to the
east through the day, eventually moving offshore. Any lingering
activity will dissipate or move offshore this evening, becoming dry
overnight with light westerly flow returning across the area.

Another hot and humid day today, with above normal temperatures
forecast. Afternoon highs will climb into the mid to upper 90s
across east central Florida this afternoon, which some locations
will be near their daily record highs (see climate section below).
These hot temperatures combined with high humidity will produce
peak heat indices of 108- 112F. A Heat Advisory remains in effect
for all of east central Florida through 8 PM this evening.
Adequate hydration and breaks in the shade or an air conditioned
building will be crucial for those spending extended periods of
time outdoors. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to
practice heat safety to help avoid developing heat illness.
Temperatures overnight will remain warm and muggy, with overnight
lows in the upper 70s to low 80s.

Tuesday-Sunday... Upper level high pressure across the southern US
will continue to broaden through the week. A trough around the Great
Lakes region will slowly shift eastward towards New Brunswick by
late week, deepening across the eastern US and expanding farther
southward through the weekend with a series of shortwaves traversing
the base of the trough. At the surface, high pressure in the central
Gulf will slowly shift eastward through the week, with the Atlantic
high remaining in place. Locally, the high pressure in the Gulf will
maintain persistent offshore flow through the period. The east coast
sea breeze is forecast to form each day, turning the winds onshore
along the coast. Moisture will increase across the area this week,
with forecast PW values ranging from 1.7-2.3". This will allow a
return of dirunally-driven showers and lightning storms each day
through the time period. Rain chances will become near normal for
this time of year, with PoPs ranging between 40-60 percent each
afternoon, with the sea breeze collision favoring the eastern side
of the peninsula each day. Showers and storms will push offshore in
the dominate westerly flow. Storms will be capable of producing
frequent lightning, gusty winds of 40-50 mph, and locally heavy
rainfall. Any lingering activity will push offshore or dissipate
into each evening.

Hot and humid conditions will persist through at least Wednesday,
with temperatures forecast to trend slightly downwards late week and
into the weekend due to the higher rain chances. Additional Heat
Advisories for portions of ECFL may be needed, especially through
mid week. Overnight lows will be seasonable to slightly above normal
each night.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 241 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Today-Friday... Generally favorable boating conditions through the
week. The Atlantic ridge axis will slowly shift south of the local
Atlantic waters today and is forecast to remain south through this
week. Moisture will increase over the local waters ahead of an
approaching frontal boundary as it stalls and washes out across
north Florida. Rain and storm chances will increase starting today
north of Cape Canaveral, expanding to include all the waters from
Tuesday onward. Storm movement will be offshore through the period
in the dominate westerly flow. Storms will be capable of producing
frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts in excess of 30 KT, heavy
downpours, and locally higher seas. Outside of storms, winds will be
west to southwest at 5-10 KT through the week, becoming onshore
(south to southeast) each afternoon as the east coast sea breeze
forms and pushes onshore. Seas 1-2 ft, with occasional 3 ft seas
across the offshore waters.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFs)
Issued at 150 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

VFR outside of convection. Scattered storms are beginning to
approach from the west-northwest this afternoon, and a short TSRA
TEMPO (18Z-19Z) is ongoing at LEE. Otherwise, a PROB30 has been
included at DAB (21Z-24Z) with VCTS mentioned at terminals further
southward through ISM/MLB. The east coast sea breeze is
struggling to develop along the immediate coast, but should still
shift winds east-southeast at most coastal terminals this
afternoon. A sea breeze shift is not currently forecast at inland
terminals. Any convection should move eastward through the late
afternoon and evening with a few showers or storms lingering along
the coast from MLB northward through 01Z/02Z.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 240 AM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

Record high temperatures at local climate sites today:

Site          Aug 17
Daytona     96  (1990)
Leesburg    98  (2005)
Sanford     97  (2005)
Orlando     99  (1929)
Melbourne   97  (2022)
Vero Beach  98  (2022)
Fort Pierce 97  (2022)

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DAB  78  94  78  94 /  20  60  30  60
MCO  78  97  79  95 /  10  60  30  60
MLB  79  96  78  94 /  10  50  20  60
VRB  76  95  76  94 /  10  40  20  60
LEE  79  95  79  94 /  10  50  30  60
SFB  79  95  79  94 /  10  60  30  60
ORL  80  96  80  95 /  10  60  30  60
FPR  77  95  76  93 /  10  40  20  60

&&

.MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for FLZ041-044>046-053-
     058-141-144-154-159-164-247-254-259-264-347-447-547-647-747.

AM...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...Watson
AVIATION...Law

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
417 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

FLZ045-172045-
Orange FL-
417 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN ORANGE COUNTY
THROUGH 445 PM EDT...

At 416 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Doctor Phillips, or near Oak Ridge, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Orlando, Windermere, Bay Lake, Oak Ridge, and Orlando International
Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 2850 8162 2851 8126 2835 8126 2835 8163
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 274DEG 24KT 2844 8147

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Weitlich
Special weather statement, Aug 17, 4:37 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
437 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

FLZ045-053-172115-
Osceola FL-Orange FL-
437 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL ORANGE AND NORTH
CENTRAL OSCEOLA COUNTIES THROUGH 515 PM EDT...

At 437 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Buena Ventura Lakes, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Orlando, Kissimmee, Orlando International Airport, Buena Ventura
Lakes, and East Lake Toho.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 2836 8149 2849 8143 2841 8109 2823 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 286DEG 19KT 2839 8136

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Weitlich
Special weather statement, Aug 17, 4:41 PM EDT, 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
441 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

FLZ041-141-172115-
Coastal Volusia FL-Inland Volusia FL-
441 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN VOLUSIA COUNTY
THROUGH 515 PM EDT...

At 441 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Daytona Beach, moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and South
Daytona.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 2933 8102 2907 8088 2904 8089 2918 8123
      2926 8121 2927 8115 2935 8115
TIME...MOT...LOC 2041Z 300DEG 11KT 2925 8113

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Weitlich

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 17, 12:10 AM EDTHeat AdvisoryMLBBrevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange and 4 more20 hr
Aug 17, 4:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMLBOrange28 min
Aug 17, 4:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMLBOrange38 min
Aug 17, 4:41 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMLBVolusia34 min
Aug 17, 4:44 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningMLB61 min
Aug 17, 5:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMLBVolusia32 min
Aug 17, 5:39 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningMLB50 min
Aug 17, 6:56 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningMLB33 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Florida, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.