Scattered thunderstorms developed along sea breeze boundaries during the afternoon of the 8th. A lightning strike from one of these storms caused a house fire in Seminole.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS TBW wrote it up.
Scattered thunderstorms developed along sea breeze boundaries during the afternoon of the 8th. A lightning strike from one of these storms caused a house fire in Seminole.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Tampa Bay, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 8, 9:23 AM EST, 3 hours 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 1023 AM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016 .SYNOPSIS... 14Z water vapor and H4 RAP analysis shows a generally zonal upper level flow pattern across the conus...with the main belt of northern stream westerlies removed well to the north of Florida. Our forecast area resides beneath a large area of mid/upper level ridging the covers the state and Gulf of Mexico. Off to the east of the Bahamas we find a large closed upper low spinning in place. This feature will not impact our weather as it stays steady for another day or two and then lifts to the northeast away from our region. Similar to previous days...WV imagery shows a fair amount of high level moisture over the region...but the mid-levels are fairly dry due to the suppressive nature of the ridging aloft. The ridge is strong but not record-breaking or anything. Therefore...while the column is not completely friendly to deep convection...we should still see a scattering of storms break out after midday. Overall coverage is likely to be lower than normal...but at the same time...the flow column flow is weak and storms are likely to be slow movers. Storm evolution will be to migrate inland with time from the Tampa Bay area northward through the Nature Coast...while a less defined low level flow/sea-breeze interaction further south will tend to suggest storms propagate/evolve more along cold pool generated outflow from the first generation of storms. The latest few runs of the HRRR tend to agree with this solution...pushing storms well inland by early evening for the northern half of the area...and "congealing" the scattered activity along or just east of the I-75 corridor for areas south of I-4. More folks are likely not to see a storm today than those that get one. Therefore...the main concern today will be the heat. The ridge overhead will once again push the mercury into the middle 90s for most spots away from the immediate coast...and into the lower 90s at the beaches. Heat indices by mid afternoon will generally range from the 101-106 range. This is just below heat advisory criteria...but still worthy of taking the necessary precautions if working or playing outside. && .SHORT TERM (TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY)... Storms this evening will generally align from near or just east of the Ft Myers area...northward to parts of Polk county...while most of our coastal areas see a dry forecast. With the ridge overhead...it is likely these storms do not last too long after sunset and the loss of diurnal forcing mechanisms. Therefore...will go with a dry forecast over the land zones after 03Z. The light flow with the subtropical ridge axis nearby will allow a weak land-breeze to develop after midnight...and this may be enough to kick off a few isolated storms over the coastal waters in the pre-dawn hours...but overall the pattern is not climo favored for much nocturnal activity and will keep PoPs around 20 percent for the nearshore waters. Temperatures will be seasonable (aka...warm and muggy). The synoptic pattern again does not change much for the first day of the weekend. If anything, the mid-levels get a bit drier and more hostile toward deep convection. With this in mind...will likely keep rain chances under 40% for all areas. Will need to take a close look at the newer 12Z guidance to determine the most likely location for sufficient sea-breeze / synoptic flow interaction...as it will take sharp low level focus to produce updrafts that will briefly overcome the hostile entrainment of mid-level air into the convection column. One thing that definitely will not change is the hot temperatures. Another day of widespread middle 90s...with heat indices 100-105 can be expected. For those going to the beaches...temps peak in the lower 90s...but dewpoints will be a few degrees warmer during the afternoon...also resulting in 100+ degree heat indices during the afternoon. Have a great weekend and stay cool everyone! && .AVIATION (08/12Z - 09/12Z)... VFR conditions prevail across the region early this morning and will generally continue through the midday hour. Sct cumulus field becomes bkn at times into the afternoon while a scattering of storms develop near the coast between 16-18Z and migrate slowly inland with time. Any terminal may see a brief restriction with a passing storm later today...although duration should be short... and currently have VCTS mentioned. Lingering storms...mainly for KLAL/KPGD/KFMY/KRSW dissipate within a couple hours of sunset. VFR conditions follow for the remainder of the overnight into Saturday morning. && .MARINE... HIGH PRESSURE WILL HOLD OVER THE WATERS THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH LIGHT WINDS. AN AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE WILL DEVELOP WITH THE FLOW BECOMING ONSHORE NEAR THE COAST EACH AFTERNOON. THE MAIN HAZARD WILL BE ISOLATED TO SCATTERED MAINLY NIGHTTIME AND MORNING THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS AND ROUGH SEAS NEAR THE STORMS. && .FIRE WEATHER... HIGH PRESSURE BOTH AT THE SURFACE AND ALOFT WILL REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA THROUGH THE EARLY PORTION OF NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES WILL BE RUNNING A BIT ABOVE NORMAL THROUGH THE PERIOD. ALTHOUGH SCATTERED STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP EACH DAY...OVERALL RAIN CHANCES STAY GENERALLY BELOW NORMAL THROUGH MONDAY. DESPITE THE WARM CONDITIONS AND GENERAL LACK OF WETTING RAINS...RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES WILL REMAIN ABOVE CRITICAL LEVELS...AND 20 FOOT WINDS STAY LOW. THEREFORE...NO SIGNIFICANT FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS ARE ANTICIPATED THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. FOG POTENTIAL...NO SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF FOG ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. && .Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs... TPA 93 79 93 78 / 30 0 10 10 FMY 95 78 94 78 / 50 10 30 10 GIF 96 77 95 76 / 30 10 20 10 SRQ 93 78 92 78 / 30 0 10 10 BKV 95 74 94 72 / 40 0 10 10 SPG 94 80 92 80 / 30 0 10 10 && .TBW Watches/Warnings/Advisories... FL...None. Gulf waters...None. && SYNOPSIS/SHORT TERM/AVIATION/MARINE/FIRE WX...Mroczka
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL 512 AM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016 FLZ043-050-052-056-057-061-139-142-148-149-151-155-160-162-165- 239-242-248-249-251-255-260-262-265-GMZ830-836-850-853-856-870- 873-876-090915- SUMTER-PINELLAS-POLK-HARDEE-HIGHLANDS-DESOTO-COASTAL LEVY- COASTAL CITRUS-COASTAL HERNANDO-COASTAL PASCO- COASTAL HILLSBOROUGH-COASTAL MANATEE-COASTAL SARASOTA- COASTAL CHARLOTTE-COASTAL LEE-INLAND LEVY-INLAND CITRUS- INLAND HERNANDO-INLAND PASCO-INLAND HILLSBOROUGH-INLAND MANATEE- INLAND SARASOTA-INLAND CHARLOTTE-INLAND LEE-TAMPA BAY WATERS- CHARLOTTE HARBOR AND PINE ISLAND SOUND- COASTAL WATERS FROM TARPON SPRINGS TO SUWANNEE RIVER FL OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM ENGLEWOOD TO TARPON SPRINGS FL OUT 20 NM- COASTAL WATERS FROM BONITA BEACH TO ENGLEWOOD FL OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM TARPON SPRINGS TO SUWANNEE RIVER FL OUT 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM ENGLEWOOD TO TARPON SPRINGS FL OUT 20 TO 60 NM- WATERS FROM BONITA BEACH TO ENGLEWOOD FL OUT 20 TO 60 NM- 512 AM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT. ...THUNDERSTORM IMPACT... SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED MAINLY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ALONG SEA BREEZE AND OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES. THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS...AND FREQUENT DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKES. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. ...THUNDERSTORM IMPACT... SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED EACH AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY WINDS...LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS...AND FREQUENT DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKES. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TODAY. CARLISLE
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA / RUSKIN FL
139 PM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016
FLZ151-251-081815-
COASTAL HILLSBOROUGH-INLAND HILLSBOROUGH-
139 PM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN HILLSBOROUGH
COUNTY...
AT 138 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER
UNIVERSITY...OR NEAR TEMPLE TERRACE...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
TAMPA...TEMPLE TERRACE...LUTZ...BRANDON...EAST LAKE-ORIENT PARK...
EGYPT LAKE-LETO...UNIVERSITY...HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK...
PEBBLE CREEK...LAKE MAGDALENE...GREATER CARROLLWOOD...
GREATER NORTHDALE...WEST PARK...LETTUCE LAKE PARK...NEW TAMPA...
DOVER...SEFFNER...RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM...
ORIENT PARK AND BUSCH GARDENS.
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE
LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED
ROADWAYS.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE
SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE.
LAT...LON 2817 8237 2817 8219 2794 8217 2796 8252
2814 8253
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 266DEG 12KT 2806 8244SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY AREA / RUSKIN FL 148 PM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016 FLZ165-265-081830- INLAND LEE-COASTAL LEE- 148 PM EDT FRI JUL 8 2016 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL LEE COUNTY... AT 148 PM EDT...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CAPE CORAL. THE STORM IS NEARLY STATIONARY. WINDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH AND PEA SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CAPE CORAL...FORT MYERS...PALMONA PARK...LOCHMOOR WATERWAY ESTATES... CYPRESS LAKE...VILLAS...PINE MANOR...MCGREGOR... MATLACHA ISLES-MATLACHA SHORES...EAST DUNBAR...IONA... HARLEM HEIGHTS...MATLACHA...FORT MYERS VILLAS...PAGE PARK... WHISKEY CREEK...PUNTA RASSA... PAGE FIELD AIRPORT AND NORTH FORT MYERS. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM...AND MAY CAUSE LOCALIZED FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES AWAY FROM A THUNDERSTORM. SEEK A SAFE SHELTER INSIDE A BUILDING OR VEHICLE. LAT...LON 2666 8207 2670 8188 2654 8178 2647 8207 TIME...MOT...LOC 1748Z 344DEG 1KT 2661 8196
The Tampa radar (KTBW), 39 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:16 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Pinellas County Fire Rescue reported a fire to a house in Seminole that was caused by a lightning strike. The homeowners were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, July 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 635267.