Tornadoes and Tropical Depression in Florida, October 28 to 29, 2017

Name: Tornadoes and Tropical Depression in Florida, October 28 to 29, 2017
Start: 2017-10-28T12:19
End: 2017-10-29T01:00
Location: Florida

October 28 to 29, 2017 · NWS MFL · 6 events in 5 counties and zones

Tropical Storm Philippe was a very disorganized storm as it moved across the Florida Straits on October 28th, making landfall in extreme South Florida along the Florida Bay on October 29th as a minimal tropical storm with a lowest central pressure of 1000 mb. The central pressure of Philippe later deepened to 997 mb east of Florida on October 29th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MFL wrote it up.

The storm brought widespread rainfall across all of South Florida, with average amounts of 2 to 4 inches across the region. A higher swath of 4 to 8 inches with isolated 10 to 11 inches was recorded across northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties, mainly along the coast from Fort Lauderdale northward. Localized roadway flooding was reported with this activity.

The wind impacts of Philippe were limited to the east coast of South Florida. While no locations on land experienced sustained tropical storm force winds, a few locations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties did see gusts to tropical storm force during the overnight hours of October 28th into October 29th. These gusts led to reports of minor tree damage, mainly in Miami-Dade County.

Three tornadoes also occurred with the passage of Philippe.

What forecasters said that day

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 Miami, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 28, 6:55 AM EST, 5 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 28, 6:55 AM EST, 5 hours 24 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Miami FL
755 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2017

.AVIATION...
Conditions gradually worsening as the day progresses as Potential
TC 18 moves NE. MVFR ceilings/visibility in SHRA should overspread
the area by 16z, with periods of IFR conditions in heavier
SHRA/TSRA during the 18z-00z period. MIA/FLL area could see IFR
conditions through 06z in area closest to center of the cyclone.
Wind 110-130 degrees 12-14 knots gusting to around 20 knots most
of day, locally to 30 knots in heavier SHRA/TSRA. Wind shift to
330-350 degrees after 08z tonight.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 457 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2017/

..All EYES ARE ON POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE 18 FOR TODAY
INTO TONIGHT...

DISCUSSION...
A Potential Tropical Cyclone 18 over the Western Caribbean Sea is
forecast by the NHC to move north to northeast today crossing
western Cuba and moving through the southeastern Atlantic waters
of South Florida tonight. The Potential Tropical Cyclone 18 should
then move quickly northeast through the Western Atlantic waters on
Sunday, as a cold front moves southeast down the Florida Peninsula
and through South Florida.

Even if the cyclone does not develop today, deep tropical moisture
will work into South Florida through today leading to wet
conditions by this afternoon and remaining over the area tonight,
before quickly drying out on Sunday from north to south as a cold
front moves through the area. Therefore, pops will be in the 80
to 100 percent range today into this evening, before decreasing
quickly late tonight into Sunday morning over South Florida.

Some of the storms could be strong this afternoon into early
tonight, due to a low level jet working into the area around the
Potential Tropical Cyclone 18. The primary threats from the
strong storms will be lightning strikes, gusty winds, and heavy
rainfall. A tornado or two is also possible over South Florida
this afternoon into this evening.

The PWAT values will be increasing quickly over South Florida
today and should get up to 2.2 to 2.4 inches by late this
afternoon into this evening. The PWAT values will then quickly
decrease late tonight into Sunday morning and be down to around 1
inch by Sunday afternoon. This will lead to heavy rainfall late
this afternoon into this evening with the possible 2 to 4 inches
with isolated 6 inches over South Florida. At this time, it looks
like a Flood Watch will not be needed for South Florida due to the
fast moving Potential Cyclone. However, if the Potential Tropical
Cyclone slows down, then a Flood Watch may be needed later today
for South Florida.

EXTENDED FORECAST...
High pressure will build into South Florida from the west by early
to middle of next week. This will keep the dry and cooler air in
place over South Florida, as the winds swing from a northerly
direction early this week to a more northeast direction by middle
of next week. The weather will remain mostly dry for the early to
middle of next week over South Florida with the coolest
temperatures for early next week.

Highs will only get up into the 70s early next week before
warming up into the 80s for the middle of the week. Lows are
forecast to cool down into the mid to upper 40s north of
Alligator Ally and down into the 50s south of Alligator Alley
Monday morning. However, the wind chill readings will be able to
get down into the lower to mid 40s north of Alligator Alley and to
around 50 south of Alligator Alley Monday morning. The low will
then warm up into the 60s over most of South Florida by middle of
the week, except around 60 west of Lake Okeechobee.

MARINE...
Marine conditions will deteriorate very quickly today over the
Atlantic and Biscayne Bay waters, and should be in tropical storm
conditions by this afternoon into tonight. Therefore, a Tropical
Storm warning has been issued for the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay
waters. The Gulf waters are also under a SCA for the winds
through at least tonight.

FIRE WEATHER...
The relative humidity will remain well above the critical value
today due to the deep tropical moisture working into South Florida
from the south. However, the relative humidity will then be on a
decrease on Sunday getting into the upper 40s to lower 50s before
decreasing down into the lower to mid 30s on Monday. At this time
will not be issuing any Red Flag watches or warnings for South
Florida for Monday, but will continue to monitor the latest runs
to see if this trend continues for Monday.
&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
West Palm Beach  79  73  80  49 / 100 100  20   0
Fort Lauderdale  79  75  81  53 / 100 100  20   0
Miami            80  75  82  54 / 100 100  20   0
Naples           81  71  76  52 /  90  90  20   0

&&

.MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
AM...Tropical Storm Warning for AMZ630-650-651-670-671.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM EDT Sunday for GMZ656-657-676.

&&

AVIATION...59/Molleda

Hazardous weather outlook, Oct 28, 11:58 AM EST, 21 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook for South Florida...UPDATED
National Weather Service Miami FL
1258 PM EDT Sat Oct 28 2017

AMZ610-630-650-651-670-671-FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-GMZ656-657-676-
290300-
Lake Okeechobee-Biscayne Bay-
Coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-
Waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef FL from 20 to 60 NM
excluding the territorial waters of Bahamas-Glades-Hendry-
Inland Palm Beach-Metro Palm Beach-Coastal Collier-Inland Collier-
Inland Broward-Metro Broward-Inland Miami-Dade-Metro Miami-Dade-
Mainland Monroe-Coastal Palm Beach-Coastal Broward-Coastal Miami-
Dade-Far South Miami-Dade-
Coastal waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL out 20 NM-
Coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee FL out 20 NM-
Waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM-
1258 PM EDT Sat Oct 28 2017

...Tropical Storm Watch Coastal Miami-Dade County...
...High Risk of Rip Currents Atlantic Beaches...
...Flood Watch for Southeast Florida Until 4 AM Sunday...

This hazardous weather outlook is for South Florida.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

Visit weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=mfl for more information on TD
18 impacts to South Florida.

Wind: Along the coast of Miami-Dade County, sustained winds could
reach 40 mph late this evening and overnight with gusts to near 50
mph. The greatest likelihood of sustained tropical storm force winds
and gusts to 60 mph will be over the Atlantic waters and Biscayne Bay
tonight.

Flooding: periods of heavy rainfall this afternoon and tonight may
lead to significant street flooding over Miami-Dade, Broward and
Palm Beach counties. Water may enter structures in a few typically
vulnerable areas. Over interior and Gulf coast areas, flooding is
also possible, mainly to streets and low-lying areas.

Rip currents: Increasing wind and surf will lead to a high risk of
rip currents for the Atlantic beaches.

Thunderstorms: Gusty winds to 40 mph will accompany showers and thunderstorms
over most of South Florida this afternoon and tonight, with higher
wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible along the immediate coast of
Miami-Dade County and over the Atlantic.

Tornadoes: A couple of brief tornadoes are possible over Southeast
Florida through this evening.

Waterspouts: A few waterspouts are possible through this evening
over all local waters.

Waves: Seas will build to 14 feet over the Gulf Stream waters of the
Atlantic tonight, leading to very rough and dangerous seas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Tropical Depression 18 is forecast to move quickly away from the
region early Sunday morning, followed by another strong cold frontal
passage by Sunday afternoon.

Gusty northwesterly winds behind the front will lead to hazardous
conditons over the local Gulf waters, as well as continue hazardous
conditions over the local Atlantic waters, into Monday. The Atlantic
rip current risk is expected to remain moderate this weekend, with
the rip current risk over the Gulf increasing behind the front early
next week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

For more information...visit the National Weather Service in
Miami website at www.weather.gov/miami.

Molleda

The radar

The Miami radar (KAMX), 15 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:20 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 tornado, 3 tropical depression. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Miami-Dade

When: October 28, 12:19 PM EST to 12:20 PM EST
Where: Miami-Dade County, 2.26 mi E of Westwood Lakes to 1.88 mi ENE of Westwood Lakes
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.48 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 25.733, -80.344

Tornado touched down at the shopping center near the corner of Bird Road and SW 92nd Avenue in Westchester. Here it broke off large tree limbs in the parking lot which, fell on a car and damaged it windshield. The tornado then moved west-northwest over Bird Bowl Shopping Center, where high end EF-0 damage was observed. The front window of a store was broken and peeling off part of the roof. This allowed water to enter a meeting room and mechanical room. A large dumpster was also moved behind the building. Power lines, trees and fences were downed along SW 39th Street between SW 92nd and SW 94th Avenues. The tornado then briefly lifted, touching down again at SW 36th Street and 95th Avenue where it downed power lines and fences, broke large tree limbs, and caused minor roof and siding damage to homes. The tornado lifted before reaching SW 97th Avenue.

Tornado, Palm Beach

When: October 28, 4:42 PM EST to 4:45 PM EST
Where: Palm Beach County, 4.03 mi WNW of Ocean Ridge to 4 mi WSW of Hypoluxo
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.25 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 26.544, -80.110

Tornado initially touched down started in the community in Boynton Beach at the intersection of Oak Street and Shady Lane where minor roof damage occurred. The tornado then continued north toward the Place where part of a roof lifted off a vacant mobile home and was carried several hundred yards away. The tornado continued north to Royal Manor Boulevard where a light pole was broken and more minor roof damage reported in the community. The tornado crossed NW 22nd Avenue before lifting near Sausalito Circle where some minor roof damage was found.

Tornado, Palm Beach

When: October 28, 5:08 PM EST to 5:16 PM EST
Where: Palm Beach County, 2.18 mi SW of Palm Spgs to 0.8 mi WNW of Palm Spgs
Rating: EF0
Path length: 2.08 mi
Path width: 125 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 26.645, -80.072

Tornado started in the community in Lake Clarke Shores. Power lines, cable lines, and minor fence damage occurred at the intersection of Alpha Court and Pine Tree Lane. The tornado then moved north-northeast where more power lines were downed. A few trees were knocked down at the tornado moved over the back fields at Forest Hill High School where a wind gust of 75 mph was measured by a South Florida Water Management District gauge at 609 PM EDT, before continuing north-northeast towards Colonial Road and Parker Avenue where more threes were blown down along with a street sign. Continuing on its path towards Lake Avenue some tree limbs were snapped and a fence was blown down. A few more tree limbs were downed near Lake Avenue and Briggs Street before the tornado lifted. Maximum wind speed based at least partially on the wind gust of 75 mph measured at the South Florida Water Management District mesonet site FHCHSX at Forest Hill High School.

Tropical Depression, Coastal Broward County

When: October 28, 10:00 PM EST to October 29, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Coastal Broward County forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Philippe produced maximum sustained winds generally between 20 and 30 knots (25 and 35 mph) across coastal Broward County for around 3 hours during the late evening hours of October 28th. A peak gust of 41 knots (47 mph) was measured at WxFlow site XDAN, located on the Dania Beach Pier just after midnight on October 29th. A gust of 35 knots (40 mph) was also reported at WeatherBug site PMPHS Pompano Beach High School. Other gusts around the region where generally between 35 and 40 mph. No significant damage was reported.

Tropical Depression, Metropolitan Miami-Dade

When: October 28, 10:00 PM EST to October 29, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Metropolitan Miami-Dade forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Philippe produced maximum sustained winds generally between 20 and 30 knots (25 and 35 mph) across metropolitan Miami-Dade County for around 2 hours during the late evening hours of October 28th. A peak gust of 36 knots (41 mph) was measured at Miami International Airport during the late night hours. Minor tree damage was reported across the area, with no significant property damage reported.

Tropical Depression, Coastal Miami-Dade County

When: October 28, 10:00 PM EST to October 29, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Coastal Miami-Dade County forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tropical Storm Philippe produced maximum sustained winds generally between 20 and 30 knots (25 and 35 mph) across coastal Miami-Dade County for around 2 hours during the late evening hours of October 28th. A peak gust of 50 knots (58 mph) was measured at WxFlow site XGVT, located in Government Cut near the Port of Miami during the late night hours, with other sites measuring peak gusts around 40 mph. Minor tree damage was reported across the area, with no significant property damage reported.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with sustained winds below 34 knots.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Florida, 2017 Warnings in Florida, October 2017 The 2017 hurricane season

Sources

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: 724213, 724212, 724214, 724209, 724210, 724211.