Afternoon thunderstorms moved slowly east across the interior of central Florida and briefly obtained severe intensity. Quarter size hail occurred in Lake County, with smaller hail observed in several other locations and high winds downed trees in Seminole and Orange Counties.
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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 MLB wrote it up.
Afternoon thunderstorms moved slowly east across the interior of central Florida and briefly obtained severe intensity. Quarter size hail occurred in Lake County, with smaller hail observed in several other locations and high winds downed trees in Seminole and Orange Counties.
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 Melbourne, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 29, 9:00 AM EST, 4 hours 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 10 AM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 .DISCUSSION...Weak ridge of high pressure stretched from the Atlantic across Central Florida and into the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Sea and lake breezes should start forming by mornings end and push inland/away from larger lakes. Morning soundings indicate highest precipitable water values over South Florida. A combination of higher precipitable water values to the south, mid level impulses moving NW to SE around the 500mb trough axis in the Atlantic just to the east of Central Florida and relatively cool, around -8.5c, 500mb temperatures and lake/sea breeze interactions should produce higher coverage of afternoon showers and storms for the southern areas Orange Brevard counties south. Will leave current forecast of 40-50 POP south half and 3o POP north half. .AVIATION...VFR. Tempo VFR ceilings/visibility in scattered afternoon showers and storms. .Marine.. NOAA Buoys and CMAN sites recording west to northwest winds 10 knots or less and 2 to 4 foot seas. Current marine forecast showing an afternoon sea breeze. The Coastal Waters Forecast morning update will freshen the wording, forecast on track. Previous AFD Issued at 8 AM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 .AVIATION... VFR. Better chances of an isolated TS far southern inland areas where the moisture levels are higher, the potential of Lake/Sea Breeze interaction higher and the steering winds above 5000 feet would tend to push any convection back to the coast. Previous Discussion Issued at 316 AM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 .DISCUSSION... Today and Tonight...Cyclone Bonnie drifting north along the SC coast will bring west to NW flow locally over the next 24h. Gradient flow will not be strong enough however to prevent development of an east coast breeze boundary. A modest increase in moisture over most of the area south of I-4 during the weekend will help lead to development of slow moving afternoon showers and sct storms mainly across Osceola county and the Space Coast south to Lake Okeechobee and Treasure Coast. Storm development will closely be tied to sfc heating and boundary interactions with the main hazards of lightning gusty winds and brief heavy rain. Some nuisance flooding will be possible due to rather weak winds aloft. Late precipitation mainly inland associated with boundary collisions should come to an end by around 11 pm. Some marine showers should remain confined to the waters and Gulf stream due to lack of an onshore steering component. Expect partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the L70s by daybreak Monday. Memorial Day...Remnants of Bonnie will meander near the Carolinas and mid Atlc coast as a weak surface boundary approaches from the west. A light wind regime continues with early morning NWRLY flow becoming onshore along the coast as the ECSB develops and penetrates inland. Winds become light to calm again in the evening. Weak mid- upper troughing over the area, combined with adequate moisture and afternoon instability will be enough to ignite mainly afternoon/evening showers/storms (20pct coast/30pct interior), though most locations will remain dry. Highs in the M-U 80s along the coast and L90s inland. Lows in the U60s/L70s. Tue-Tue night...The pressure gradient remains weak with light offshore morning winds becoming onshore along the east coast in the late morning/afternoon. A similar day to Mon with mainly afternoon SCHC-CHC convection favoring inland areas. Highs in the L90s inland and U80s at the coast. Overnight lows continue in the U60s to L70s. Wed-Sat...Weak mid-upper level troughing still across FL early in the period, then shortwave ridging builds across the peninsula Fri- Sat in response to troughing deepening over southeast TX. At the surface the pressure pattern continues weak and we will see a daily sea breeze regime with boundary collisions well into the interior. Will continue CHC afternoon/early evening storm chances with convection favoring well inland. The storm motion will be fairly weak with main storm threats of locally heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds. Consistent highs/lows with maxes U80s/L90s degrees interior and M-U80s at the coast, mins in the U60s/L70s areawide. && .AVIATION... VFR conds will be primary over the forecast area over the next 24H. There will be isold shra along the coast this morning with development of slow moving sct SHRA and afternoon TS inland and along the Treasure and Space Coasts, bringing brief MVFR conds mainly S of KORL to KTTS. && .MARINE... Today and Tonight...Swells ascd with psg of cyclone Bonnie will slowly diminish through the period. A review of sig WV heights overnight show seas around 4-5 ft over the outer waters and around 3 ft near shore should continue during today with a slow decrease due to loss of swell component into tonight. No headlines required. Memorial Day...Weak pressure gradient over the area with offshore morning winds transitioning to onshore at the coast with sea breeze formation and push inland. Mainly isolated shra/tsra chances. Wind speeds generally AOB 10 kts. Seas 2-3 ft near shore and 3-4 ft offshore. Tue-Thu...Favorable small craft boating conditions continue as a persistent weak wind regime remains in place with late night/morning offshore winds becoming onshore by late morning/early afternoon surrounding the ECSB. Wind speeds generally 6-12 kts. Isolated shra/tsra chances at best. Seas generally 2-3 ft near shore and 3 ft to perhaps 4 ft (well offshore) over the open Atlc. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 89 69 89 69 / 20 20 20 20 MCO 92 70 93 70 / 30 20 30 20 MLB 87 69 88 70 / 30 30 20 20 VRB 87 69 89 69 / 40 30 20 20 LEE 92 70 92 71 / 20 20 30 20 SFB 92 70 92 71 / 20 20 20 20 ORL 91 72 92 72 / 30 20 30 20 FPR 88 68 90 68 / 40 30 20 20 && .MLB Watches/Warnings/Advisories... FL...None. AM...None. && SHORT TERM...Kelly LONG TERM...Wimmer
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL 1014 AM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 AMZ550-552-555-570-572-575-FLZ041-044>047-053-054-058-059-064-141- 144-147-300100- FLAGLER BEACH TO VOLUSIA-BREVARD COUNTY LINE 0-20 NM-VOLUSIA- BREVARD COUNTY LINE TO SEBASTIAN INLET 0-20 NM- SEBASTIAN INLET TO JUPITER INLET 0-20 NM-FLAGLER BEACH TO VOLUSIA- BREVARD COUNTY LINE 20-60 NM-VOLUSIA- BREVARD COUNTY LINE TO SEBASTIAN INLET 20-60 NM- SEBASTIAN INLET TO JUPITER INLET 20-60 NM-INLAND VOLUSIA COUNTY- NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY-ORANGE-SEMINOLE-SOUTHERN BREVARD COUNTY- OSCEOLA-INDIAN RIVER-OKEECHOBEE-ST. LUCIE-MARTIN- COASTAL VOLUSIA COUNTY-SOUTHERN LAKE COUNTY- NORTHERN BREVARD COUNTY- 1014 AM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. .THUNDERSTORM IMPACT... SUITABLE MOISTURE WILL COMBINE WITH AFTERNOON HEATING AND LOCAL BOUNDARIES TO PRODUCE ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SLOW MOVING LIGHTNING STORMS MAINLY SOUTH OF METRO ORLANDO...ALONG THE SPACE AND TREASURE COASTS AND INLAND TO LAKE OKEECHOBEE. THE PRIMARY THREATS WILL BE BRIEF GUSTY WINDS...CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAIN. .FLOOD IMPACT... LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN WILL PRODUCE ONE TO TWO INCHES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME MAINLY SOUTH OF ORLANDO THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. .RIP CURRENT IMPACT... OCEAN SWELLS AND TIDAL CONDITIONS WILL BRING A MODERATE RISK FOR STRONG RIP CURRENTS AT THE BEACHES TODAY. RIP RESCUES WERE REPORTED ON SATURDAY AND THIS IS EXPECTED ONCE AGAIN TODAY. MAKE SURE TO SWIM NEAR A LIFEGUARD BEACH LOCATION AND NEVER SWIM ALONE. .MARINE THUNDERSTORM GUST IMPACT... WIND GUSTS BRIEFLY IN EXCESS OF 35 KNOTS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN A FEW STRONG STORMS MAINLY SOUTH OF METRO ORLANDO THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. ISOLATED TO SCATTERED AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS ALONG THE INLAND MOVING EAST COAST SEA BREEZE AND WITH ANY BOUNDARY COLLISIONS OVER THE INTERIOR. INCOMING SWELLS WILL KEEP THE RIP CURRENT THREAT MODERATE EARLY THIS WEEK. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED TODAY.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL 219 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 FLZ047-291900- SOUTHERN BREVARD COUNTY FL- 219 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN BREVARD COUNTY UNTIL 300 PM EDT... AT 218 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER PALM BAY...MOVING LITTLE BUT WILL DEVELOP SOUTH ALONG THE SEA BREEZE BOUNDARY. DIME SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... PALM BAY...MELBOURNE...MALABAR...AND WEST MELBOURNE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 2810 8057 2783 8052 2783 8085 2807 8084 TIME...MOT...LOC 1818Z 020DEG 6KT 2800 8069 KELLY
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
225 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016
FLZ059-291915-
ST. LUCIE FL-
225 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM
EDT...
AT 225 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM
OVER PORT SAINT LUCIE. THIS STORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. ADDITIONAL
STORMS WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE SEA BREEZE AS IT PUSHES INLAND.
DIME SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
STORM.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
PORT SAINT LUCIE...WALTON...FORT PIERCE...AND WHITE CITY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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 2721 8047 2746 8051 2748 8029 2724 8022
2726 8023 2726 8028 2722 8028 2722 8021
2721 8021
TIME...MOT...LOC 1825Z 086DEG 3KT 2729 8035
KELLYSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL 233 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 FLZ047-291915- SOUTHERN BREVARD COUNTY FL- 233 PM EDT SUN MAY 29 2016 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL BREVARD COUNTY UNTIL 315 PM EDT... AT 233 PM EDT...DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER SUNTREE...OR 7 MILES WEST OF PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE...MOVING NORTH AT 10 MPH. DIME SIZE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... MELBOURNE...ROCKLEDGE...CAMP HOLLY FISH CAMP...MERRITT ISLAND. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 2805 8086 2834 8086 2834 8068 2809 8059 TIME...MOT...LOC 1833Z 185DEG 7KT 2821 8073 KELLY
The Melbourne radar (KMLB), 6 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:35 UTC.
2 hail, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Nickel sized hail was reported by the public in the Fountainhead Subdivision in Melbourne as a strong thunderstorm affected the area.
A trained weather spotter observed quarter sized hail in Mt. Plymouth as a severe thunderstorm moved slowly southeast across the region.
A citizen reported multiple trees downed by severe thunderstorm winds in the Apopka-Forest City area. Small hail also occurred.
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, May 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: 627103, 627104, 627105.