Special Weather Statement, NWS Melbourne, FL

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
139 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 330 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

- Numerous showers and lightning storms are forecast this
  afternoon and evening as a front moves slowly through the area.

- Storms may be severe, mainly between 2PM and 11PM, capable of
  frequent lightning, damaging winds, large hail, and locally
  heavy rain leading to minor flooding. There is also a low risk
  for tornadoes.

- Temperatures closer to normal Wednesday before increasing late
  week into the weekend. A moderate rip current risk continues at
  area beaches.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1024 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

No significant changes were made as forecast looks generally on
track for today. Front has currently pushed south of Daytona
Beach, which has led to a little more breezy/gusty conditions
along the Volusia County coast. Some breaks are observed in the
cloud cover this morning, mainly near to south of Orlando and
will help with daytime heating to continue to destabilize the
airmass across the region. Should see MLCAPE values reach around
1000-1500 J/kg or higher into the afternoon. PW values in the
morning sounding at the Cape are around 1.7-1.8" and model
guidance has these values increasing closer to 1.8-2.0" through
late day. This will lead a moist and unstable airmass and combine
with the southward moving front and inland moving sea breeze
boundaries for the development of numerous showers and storms
through this afternoon and evening (rain chances around 80%).

Trends in hi-res guidance continue to favor initial convection
firing up along frontal boundary into the late morning/early
afternoon near to north of Orlando. Additional showers and storms
will then occur with the inland moving sea breeze boundaries and
collisions over the interior through mid to late afternoon, with a
westerly steering flow of around 20 knots at 700mb steering any
convection back to the coast and offshore through late day and
into the evening. Primary storm threats will continue to include
strong to locally damaging wind gusts of 40-60 mph and colder
temps aloft (around -8 to -9C at 500mb) may lead to large hail of
an inch in diameter or slightly higher in more organized
convection. Increasing 0-3km shear (100-200 m2/s2) and multiple
boundary interactions may also lead to the development of a brief
tornado or two. Frequent lightning and locally heavy rainfall
will also occur with any storms.

Continue to monitor the latest forecast at weather.gov/melbourne
and have multiple ways to receive warnings if they are issued
later today!

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 330 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

Today-Tonight...It is warm and muggy out there with temperatures
early this morning in the mid/upper 70s. 03z surface analysis places
a cold front along the AL/FL/GA border, one of several features we
will be monitoring in connection with a severe storm risk this
afternoon. In the upper levels, a west-east oriented jet streak will
be situated over north-central FL, or along and just north of the
surface front. H5 shortwave energy looks to trail the surface front,
moving over the FL Panhandle this afternoon/evening. With 1.8-2.0"
PW values present, a fair amount of mid and high level clouds are
forecast. A majority of this cloud cover will remain over the
northern half of the area through early afternoon, with locations
south of Cape Canaveral (i.e. Melbourne, Treasure Coast) seeing more
sunshine than northern areas. Also, the additional surface heating
south of the greater cloud coverage (and surface front) supports
formation of the east coast sea breeze. Highs will range from the
low 80s (north) to the upper 80s (inland).

This afternoon's environment ahead of the southward-moving front
will be characterized by: effective bulk shear of 35-40+ kt, steep
low-level lapse rates, 2000-3000+ J/kg SBCAPE, 100-200 J/kg 3CAPE,
and 100-200 m2/s2 0-3km SRH. While questions remain as to morning
cloud cover and how that affects daytime instability ahead of the
front, these parameters suggest a supportive environment for
numerous showers and lightning storms this afternoon. Damaging winds
of 60+ mph and frequent lightning strikes remain the primary
concerns, though more rigorous updrafts could support large hail up
to 1.25" in diameter. There is a tornado risk present, particularly
along and south of the front. Interactions between southward-moving
storms, the front itself, and inland-moving sea breeze could locally
enhance tornado potential...especially if lower LCLs materialize.
There are a number of inhibiting factors, including early-day clouds
and any pre-frontal convection arriving from the west coast. The SPC
has included all of east-central Florida in a Marginal Risk (level 1
of 5) for severe storms today.

Locally heavy rainfall will accompany storms as well, resulting in a
quick 1.0-2.5" of accumulation. HREF probabilities of 24-hour QPF
reaching 5" or greater are generally 20-40% for large sections of
our coast. Despite recent drought conditions, high rainfall rates of
3-4"+ per hour could lead to ponding of water on roads and in low-
lying or urban areas. A Marginal Risk for Excessive Rainfall it
outlined for much of ECFL, focused from the Orlando area eastward,
including the entire coast.

Models are consistently pointing to 2-11 PM for the greatest threat
of severe storms, with activity dissipating north-to-south mid to
late evening. Monitor the latest forecast at weather.gov/melbourne
and have multiple ways to receive warnings if they are issued later
today!

Wednesday-Monday...Today's surface front is forecast to stall near
Lake Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast on Wednesday. Slight model
differences exist with PW ranging from 1.4-1.6" in the afternoon.
The greatest moisture and support for showers and storms will be in
vicinity of the front, though a 40-55% chance for rain exists across
much of the area. Severe storms are not currently forecast, but a
strong storm across the far south cannot be ruled out. Some more
sunshine between the clouds should help temperatures rebound into
the mid/upper 80s Wednesday afternoon.

High pressure builds over the area late this week and remains
through at least early next week. This helps establish onshore flow,
especially by the weekend. A warming trend is forecast with
temperatures reaching the low 90s inland from Saturday onward. By
Monday next week, heat indices begin to approach the mid/upper 90s.
Rain chances stay relatively low (15-25%), focused along the coast
early in the day and translating inland with the afternoon sea
breeze. Thursday and Friday are the driest two days of the forecast,
but a spot shower south or along the coast cannot be ruled out.
Moisture increases over the weekend, bringing rain chances up a bit.
Overall though, expect plenty of sunshine and dry weather Thursday
onward.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 330 AM EDT Tue May 12 2026

Today-Tonight...A weak cold front is forecast to drift south across
the waters today, accompanied by high rain and lightning storm
chances. Lower shower coverage is expected through the morning with
rain and storms becoming numerous after 1-3 PM. Activity will shift
south and east with the front, and the risk for severe storms is
forecast to linger through at least midnight for portions of the
local Atlantic. Strong wind gusts of 40+ knots, large hail, and
waterspouts are possible this afternoon and tonight.

Outside of storms, conditions will gradually deteriorate north of
the Cape as northeast winds freshen (15-20 kt). Some models indicate
gusts of 25-30+ kt moving south behind the front this afternoon, but
the current forecast is closer to consensus (20-25 kt). A Small
Craft Advisory was issued for tonight/early Wed. (8 PM - 8 AM Wed.)
for the offshore Volusia waters, where seas reach 7 ft. If gradient
winds increase further and build seas over a larger area, the Small
Craft Advisory may need to be expanded.

Wednesday-Saturday...The surface front stalls briefly on Wednesday
across the Treasure Coast waters. Showers and isolated storms remain
in the forecast, particularly from the Cape southward. Seas up to 5-
6 ft may linger in the Gulf Stream, mainly in the Volusia offshore
waters. Drier weather returns Thursday/Friday before moisture
increases through the weekend. Light and variable winds in the
morning turn onshore each afternoon Wednesday and Thursday. Seas
decrease to 2-4 ft Thursday onward. By Friday/Saturday, easterly
flow becomes more established (10-15 kt) as high pressure settles
over the local waters.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFs)
Issued at 132 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

Weakening front is sagging into ECFL, producing TSRA and near
MVFR CIGs this afternoon. Coverage of TSRA expected to increase
over the next couple hours and push across the peninsula,
impacting most if not all terminals, mainly between 20Z-02Z, but a
few early ISO TS have and could continue to impact terminals
earlier. Strong to severe TSRA possible. CIGs are forecast to
become prevailing MVFR at KMCO and other inland terminals, and
possibly along the coast from KDAB- KMLB, between 04Z-15Z. TEMPO
IFR CIGs possible. Mainly VFR conditions after 15Z. Chances for
TSRA/SHRA Wed afternoon slightly lower than today, but still SCT-
WID.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DAB  70  84  68  86 /  70  50  20  10
MCO  71  85  70  86 /  50  60  20  10
MLB  73  86  72  85 /  60  60  20  10
VRB  72  87  70  85 /  70  60  30  20
LEE  70  85  68  87 /  40  50  20   0
SFB  70  86  68  88 /  50  50  20  10
ORL  71  85  70  87 /  50  60  20  10
FPR  72  86  70  85 /  70  70  30  20

&&

.MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
AM...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 8 AM EDT
     Wednesday for AMZ570.

&&

UPDATE...Weitlich
AVIATION...Haley

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1228 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1221 PM     Hail             2 N Univ Central Florid 28.63N 81.21W
05/12/2026  E1.00 Inch       Seminole           FL   Broadcast Media

            Reports from the public and pictures from
            the media of quarter sized (1.00 in.) hail
            in the Oviedo area.

&&

DKW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1231 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1210 PM     Marine Tstm Wind 5 S Kennedy Space Cente 28.52N 80.64W
05/12/2026  M53 MPH          Brevard            FL   Other Federal

            USSF wind sensor on tower 506 measured a
            peak wind gust of 53MPH/46KT from the north
            at 12:10 PM. Earlier, a gust to 40MPH/35KT
            occurred at 12:05 PM. Sensor elevation is 54
            feet.

&&

DKW

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1246 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

FLZ447-121715-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands FL-
1246 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL BREVARD COUNTY
THROUGH 115 PM EDT...

At 1246 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Port Canaveral, moving southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Cape Canaveral, Port Canaveral, and Jetty Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel
clouds. On rare occasions they can briefly touch down, producing wind
gusts over 50 mph. If a funnel cloud is spotted move indoors and
report your sighting to the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 2839 8057 2836 8057 2839 8060 2841 8059
      2841 8061 2846 8065 2857 8054 2846 8049
TIME...MOT...LOC 1646Z 312DEG 10KT 2848 8053

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

Haley

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
122 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0100 PM     Marine Tstm Wind 1 SSW Cape Canaveral SF 28.46N 80.57W
05/12/2026  M40 MPH          Brevard            FL   Other Federal

            USSF wind sensor on tower 303 measured a
            peak wind gust of 40MPH/35KT from the
            northeast at 1:00 PM. Sensor elevation is 54
            feet.

&&

DKW

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
206 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1201 PM     Hail             1 NW Oviedo             28.68N 81.22W
05/12/2026  M1.00 Inch       Seminole           FL   Broadcast Media

            [Delayed report] Media photos and video of
            quarter sized (1.00 in.) hail in the Oviedo
            area.

&&

DKW

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
321 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

FLZ058-121945-
Okeechobee FL-
321 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL OKEECHOBEE COUNTY
THROUGH 345 PM EDT...

At 321 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Basinger. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Basinger.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Seek
safe shelter inside a sturdy building or hard-topped vehicle.
Remember, lightning can strike beyond 10 miles away from a
thunderstorm. When thunder roars, go indoors!

&&

LAT...LON 2730 8102 2732 8103 2734 8105 2735 8104
      2735 8103 2736 8103 2738 8107 2738 8110
      2739 8112 2740 8112 2742 8114 2744 8114
      2746 8116 2753 8111 2744 8086
TIME...MOT...LOC 1921Z 207DEG 3KT 2739 8110

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Leahy