A cold front moved southeast through the Florida Peninsula on the evening of the 8th through early morning on the 9th. Thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, one of which produced a damaging wind gust.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
A cold front moved southeast through the Florida Peninsula on the evening of the 8th through early morning on the 9th. Thunderstorms developed along and ahead of the front, one of which produced a damaging wind gust.
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 Dec 8, 8:09 PM EST, 2 hours 21 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
809 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017
.UPDATE...
Frontal boundary is making very slow progress through the
are this evening. Ahead of the boundary, an unusually warm
and muggy airmass is in place with current temps across the
area at 8PM warmer than our average highs for this time of
year. Not only that, but dewpoints are very summer like with
low 70s dewpoints in place. 00Z TBW ROAB measured a PWAT
value of 1.94 inches shatters the previous record 1.75
inches. Behind the boundary however, much cooler air is in
place with temps already well into the 40s. Earlier this
evening there was a 30 degree temperature difference between
Ocala and Gainesville - a very impressive temperature
gradient.
So for the rest of the evening and overnight, the front will
continue to make slow progress through the Bay area and into
SW Florida. Potential remains for some strong to severe
thunderstorms although radar returns thus far haven't been
too impressive. That can change quickly however as more
favorable dynamics setup over the next few hours.
The best chance for strong to severe storms will be with
discrete storms that form over the eastern Gulf of Mexico
and move inland near and to the south of Tampa Bay. The
moderate deep-layer shear and strong low-level shear should
support cell rotation within the strongest of storms. For
this reason, a tornado threat and potential for isolated
wind damage will be possible. Locally heavy rainfall will
also be possible over the next 12-18 hours as the boundary
moves through the area.
Behind the front, temperatures will cool quickly and
afternoon highs tomorrow will be in the 50s and 60s. Key
word there being afternoon as highs for the day will likely
occur at midnight tonight with temps dropping throughout
the day.
&&
.AVIATION...
A frontal boundary is moving very slowly through the region
this evening. Ahead of the boundary, dense low clouds will
produce MVFR or lower cigs for the next few hours. By around
4Z, showers and tstms will reach TAF sites and continue
through the overnight hours and into Saturday morning
before conditions slowly improve toward the end of the
forecast period. Current south-southwest winds will become
more northwest as the front clears the terminals. Wind gusts
to around 25 knots or so are expected through the period.
&&
.MARINE...
Small craft advisory conditions beginning to occur across
the region this evening as a cold front moves slowly south
across the FL peninsula. Behind the front, winds will turn
more north-northwest tonight, with speeds increasing to
20 kts through Saturday. High pressure will build in behind
the front, with improving conditions Saturday night into
early next week. Another front will bring wind speeds back
up near advisory levels on Tuesday.
&&
.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
TPA 60 63 43 60 / 100 60 0 0
FMY 66 69 44 64 / 80 90 10 0
GIF 58 62 38 59 / 100 80 0 0
SRQ 61 64 44 62 / 100 70 0 0
BKV 55 60 33 58 / 100 50 0 0
SPG 59 64 47 60 / 100 60 0 0
&&
.TBW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
Gulf waters...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EST Saturday for
Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound-Coastal waters
from Bonita Beach to Englewood FL out 20 NM-Coastal
waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River
FL out 20 NM-Tampa Bay waters-Waters from Bonita
Beach to Englewood FL out 20 to 60 NM-Waters from
Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 to 60 NM-Waters
from Tarpon Springs to Suwannee River FL out 20 to 60
NM.
&&
UPDATE/AVIATION/MARINE...11/McKaughan
UPPER AIR...42/Norman
DECISION SUPPORT...84/AustinHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL 523 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 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- 873-876-082230- 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- 523 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for West Central And Southwest Florida. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. ...THUNDERSTORM IMPACT... A cold front shifting south through west central and southwest Florida later today will bring increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms. Rapidly increasing atmospheric moisture will allow for some areas to see prolonged periods of heavy rain with high rain totals and localized flooding possible. Additionally, a few of the stronger thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds or an isolated tornado. ...FLOOD IMPACT... Locally heavy rainfall is expected. The heavy rain will produce flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas as well as the ponding of water on roadways. Motorists should exercise caution. ...MARINE IMPACTS... As a cold front shifts south through the area tonight, winds over the eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to increase to around 20 knots or greater during the early evening, producing advisory level conditions that will continue overnight. These winds will create hazardous boating conditions for small craft operators. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. ...EXCESSIVE COLD IMPACT... A much colder airmass will arrive across the region for the upcoming weekend. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s to the north of the I-4 corridor Saturday night, with a few spots to the north of Brooksville approaching freezing toward dawn on Sunday. Patchy frost is also possible across the Nature Coast Saturday night. An even colder night is anticipated for Sunday night into early Monday morning. Temperatures dropping into the middle and upper 30s are expected to expand well south of the I-4 corridor over inland locations, with most of the Nature coast dropping into the lower and middle 30s. Locations north of Brooksville have a greater potential for a period of sub-freezing temperatures. Lighter winds Sunday night will also promote areas of frost development for locations with temperatures in the 30s. ...RIP CURRENT IMPACT... An enhanced risk of stronger and more frequent rip currents is expected to develop along the beaches of west-central and southwest Florida on Saturday. Conditions for rip currents will subside during Sunday. ...MARINE IMPACTS... Advisory level winds over 20 knots will continue through the day on Saturday before slowly improving Saturday night and Sunday. After a brief lull in the winds, another frontal passage on Tuesday will bring winds back up to near advisory levels. These winds will create hazardous boating conditions for small craft operators. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters should monitor the weather and self activate if needed. Fleming
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area Ruskin FL
439 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
FLZ139-239-082230-
Coastal Levy FL-Inland Levy FL-
439 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR LEVY COUNTY UNTIL 530 PM EST...
At 438 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles southeast of Fowlers Bluff, or 12 miles south of Chiefland,
moving northeast at 45 mph.
Small hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.
Locations impacted include...
Williston, Bronson, Williston Highlands, East Bronson, Williston
Municipal Airport and Otter Creek.
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 2954 8265 2954 8256 2948 8255 2948 8241
2927 8241 2908 8307 2926 8307 2956 8266
TIME...MOT...LOC 2138Z 244DEG 37KT 2929 8285
NormanSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area Ruskin FL
814 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
FLZ043-142-242-090200-
Coastal Citrus-Inland Citrus-Sumter-
814 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CITRUS AND NORTHWESTERN SUMTER
COUNTIES...
At 813 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located over Homosassa
Springs, moving east at 55 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Inverness, Wildwood, Homosassa Springs, Beverly Hills, Inverness
Airport, Crystal River Airport, Black Diamond, Homosassa, Inverness
Highlands South, Inverness Highlands North, Hernando, Sugarmill
Woods, Lake Panasoffkee, Arbor Lakes, Lecanto, Leisure Acres,
Inverness Highlands, Pine Ridge, Citrus Hills and Gospel Island.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 2887 8272 2899 8234 2896 8231 2896 8210
2882 8205 2869 8264
TIME...MOT...LOC 0113Z 249DEG 46KT 2881 8259
NormanSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area Ruskin FL
915 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
FLZ043-148-242-248-090245-
Inland Hernando-Coastal Hernando-Inland Citrus-Sumter-
915 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CITRUS...WEST
CENTRAL SUMTER AND NORTHWESTERN HERNANDO COUNTIES...
At 915 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near North Weeki
Wachee, or 7 miles northwest of Brooksville, moving northeast at 50
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Brooksville, Inverness, Bushnell, Inverness Highlands South,
Inverness Airport, North Weeki Wachee, North Brooksville, Sugarmill
Woods, Royal Highlands, High Point, Lake Lindsey, Suburban Acres,
Inverness Highlands, Wahoo, Glen Lakes, Withlapopka Isle,
Heatherwood, Nobleton, Floral City and Istachatta.
LAT...LON 2870 8256 2870 8255 2872 8253 2887 8225
2861 8209 2852 8257 2868 8259
TIME...MOT...LOC 0215Z 244DEG 44KT 2861 8250
NormanSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area Ruskin FL
1016 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
FLZ151-155-251-255-090345-
Inland Manatee-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Hillsborough-Inland
Hillsborough-
1016 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHWESTERN MANATEE AND SOUTH
CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES...
At 1015 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located over Ellenton, or
near Palmetto, moving northeast at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Bradenton, Palmetto, Ellenton, Greater Sun Center, South Bradenton,
Ruskin, Parrish, Memphis, West Bradenton, West Samoset, Holmes Beach,
Bradenton Beach, Bayshore Gardens, Little Manatee River State Park,
Cortez, Whitney Beach, Samoset, Palma Sola, Wimauma and Sun City
Center.
LAT...LON 2782 8239 2774 8226 2760 8217 2737 8261
2738 8262 2738 8263 2743 8269 2751 8271
TIME...MOT...LOC 0315Z 228DEG 40KT 2753 8253
NormanPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAMPA BAY RUSKIN FL
1028 PM EST FRI DEC 8 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 21 SW LONGBOAT KEY 27.20N 82.90W
12/08/2017 M49 MPH GMZ853 FL BUOY
BUOY STATION 42013, 20 SW LONGBOAT KEY.
&&The Tampa radar (KTBW), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:30 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A large oak tree fell on a house in Safety Harbor, causing significant damage to the house.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, December 2017
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: 724533.