Hail in Florida, April 24, 2018

Name: Hail in Florida, April 24, 2018
Start: 2018-04-24T13:25
End: 2018-04-24T14:10
Location: Florida

April 24, 2018 · NWS MLB · 2 events in 1 county or zone

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 2

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 MLB wrote it up.

A mid level closed low at 500 mb across western Tennessee with a surface low pressure across northern Georgia caused the predominant southwest/west-southwest winds to veer to the west across east central Florida. A drier, cooler air mass moved in across the northern half of east central Florida through the afternoon hours, which led to greater instability across the Treasure Coast. Deep moisture moved eastward across southern Osceola and Okeechobee counties and the Treasure Coast resulting in the development of strong to severe thunderstorms from Okeechobee to St. Lucie to Maritn counties. One severe thunderstorm produced hail and strong winds in Hobe Sound, while a second severe thunderstorm produced golf ball sized hail in Tequesta.

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 Melbourne, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 24, 9:00 AM EST, 4 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 24, 9:00 AM EST, 4 hours 25 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1000 AM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018

.DISCUSSION...
Well dvlpd storm system centered over the OH/TN river valleys has
push a cold front south of the I-4 Corridor.  Latest analysis shows
the front extending from Cape Canaveral to Ft. Myers, co-located
with a band of enhanced H100-H70 moisture with mean RH values btwn
80-90pct...tight moisture gradient behind the front with areas north
of I-4 dropping blo 50pct. Mrng RAOBs depict the moisture boundary
as well with PWat values btwn 1.25-1.50" at KXMR/KTBW/KMFL, and btwn
0.50"-0.75" at KJAX/KTAE.

RAP40 analysis shows the bulk of mid/upr lvl dynamic support pushing
off the Space/Treasure/Gold Coasts as of mid mrng, H85-H30 omega and
H30-H20 divergence bull's eyes over the Gulf Stream. There are
secondary maxima west of Ft. Myers and the FL Keys, but these are
embedded within deep westerly flow and appear poised to pass largely
south of Lake-O. Respectable thermodynamic instability ahead of the
front with H70 temps btwn 6C/7C and H50 temps btwn -10C/-11C,
yielding lapse rates arnd 6.5C/KM thru the lyr.

Mrng fcst package looks on target as precip will be confined to
areas south of I-4 this aftn, and increasingly south of Lake-K and
Sebastian Inlet as the front continues its slow march through
central FL.  Latest vsbl sat pics show "lumpy cu" confined to areas
south of Cape Canaveral/Lake-K, sct-bkn low stratocu to the north.
Will shave precip coverage back to Osceola/S Brevard based on this
trend. No other changes necessary.

&&

.AVIATION...Thru 25/12Z.
Sfc Winds: Thru 25/02Z...W/SW 8-12KTS...N of KISM-KMLB ocnl sfc G18-
22KTS. Btwn 25/02Z-25/05Z...bcmg W/SW 5-8KTS.

Vsbys/WX/Cigs: Thru 24/17Z...N of KISM-KTIX areas BKN020-030/lcl
BKN010-020...S of KISM-KTIX areas BKN010-020/lcl BKN005-009. Btwn
24/17Z-24/24Z...S of KISM-KTIX nmrs MVFR shras/chc IFR tsras. Btwn
25/00Z-25/03Z...S of KVRB-KOBE slgt chc MVFR shras. &&

.MARINE...
Storm system over the OH/TN valleys will push a cold front into the
Treasure Coast waters this aftn, then south of Jupiter Inlet thru
midnight. Gentle to moderate W/SW breeze will prevail thru late
aftn, bcmg light to gentle aft sunset. Seas 2-4FT nearshore and 3-
5FT offshore, mainly in an easterly swell. Shras likely/chc tsras
over the Treasure Coast waters, chc shras/slgt chc tsras over the
Space Coast waters.

&&

.MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
AM...None.

&&

Short Term/Aviation...Bragaw
Long Term/Impact WX...Sharp

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 24, 12:27 PM EST, 58 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
127 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018

AMZ550-552-555-570-572-575-FLZ041-044>047-053-054-058-059-064-141-
144-147-250530-
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-
127 PM EDT Tue Apr 24 2018

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

.THUNDERSTORM IMPACT...
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon
mainly south of Melbourne ahead of a cool front that will move
through east central Florida later today and this evening. The
main coverage area will include the Treasure Coast and locations
in vicinity of Lake Okeechobee. Localized heavy rain, gusty winds
up to 50 mph, small hail, and cloud to ground lightning strikes
will occur with a few stronger storms. Isolated severe storms are
possible with local gusts to 60 mph.

.RIP CURRENT IMPACT...
An east swell will contribute to a moderate risk for rip currents
at east central Florida beaches today. Remember to always swim
within sight of lifeguard and do not swim alone.

.MARINE THUNDERSTORM GUST IMPACT...
A few storms may produce wind gusts between 34-45 knots across
the coastal waters adjacent to the Treasure Coast this afternoon,
as well as inland waterways and lakes.

.WIND AND SEA IMPACT...
Seas up to 5 to 6 feet offshore today north of Melbourne and
tonight across all of the offshore east central waters will make
conditions poor for small craft. Small craft should exercise
caution venturing well offshore today and tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY.
An east swell will bring an elevated risk of rip currents to east
central Florida beaches through late week.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotters are requested to monitor the weather and self activate
if needed.

MRV/DWS

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 11:01 AM EST, 2 hours 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1201 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

FLZ059-064-241700-
St. Lucie FL-Martin FL-
1201 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR ST. LUCIE AND MARTIN COUNTIES
UNTIL 100 PM EDT...

At 1158 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
12 miles west of Port Saint Lucie, moving northeast at 15 to 20 mph.
Another was moving offshore of Lake Okeechobee near J and S Fish
Camp.

Small hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these
storms.

Locations impacted include...
Port Saint Lucie, Walton, Fort Pierce, Stuart and Indiantown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2697 8007 2697 8014 2696 8014 2696 8061
      2699 8062 2708 8066 2711 8066 2711 8067
      2731 8068 2755 8031
TIME...MOT...LOC 1558Z 239DEG 15KT 2729 8057

DWS

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 12:00 PM EST, 1 hour 25 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
100 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

FLZ059-064-241745-
St. Lucie FL-Martin FL-
100 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN SAINT LUCIE AND
MARTIN COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM EDT...

At 1257 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking several strong
thunderstorms near Tradition, or 10 miles west of Port Saint Lucie,
between the Lake Okeechobee and the coast at Fort Pierce and
Stuart, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Port Saint Lucie, Walton, Fort Pierce, Stuart and Indiantown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2698 8008 2696 8061 2700 8062 2708 8066
      2711 8066 2712 8067 2724 8068 2752 8030
TIME...MOT...LOC 1657Z 241DEG 25KT 2724 8052

DWS

Local storm report, Apr 24, 12:07 PM EST, 1 hour 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
107 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

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

1235 PM     HAIL             4 WSW FORT PIERCE       27.42N 80.37W
04/24/2018  E0.25 INCH       St. Lucie          FL   PUBLIC

            A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REPORTED PEA SIZED HAIL IN FT.
            PIERCE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF OKEECHOBEE RD AND MCNIEL
            ROAD. TIME IS ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.

&&

KR

Special weather statement, Apr 24, 12:49 PM EST, 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
149 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

FLZ059-064-241830-
St. Lucie FL-Martin FL-
149 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN ST. LUCIE AND
EASTERN MARTIN COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM EDT...

At 147 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms
moving through Martin and Saint Lucie Counties approaching from the
west and from the south at 20 mph.

Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Port Saint Lucie, Walton, Stuart, Jupiter Island and Palm City.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is also occurring with these
storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek
a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 2698 8008 2697 8040 2730 8044 2736 8023
      2728 8019
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 223DEG 19KT 2695 8030

DWS

Local storm report, Apr 24, 1:25 PM EST, 0 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
225 PM EDT TUE APR 24 2018

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

0225 PM     HAIL             HOBE SOUND              27.07N 80.14W
04/24/2018  E1.00 INCH       MARTIN             FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED QUARTER SIZE AND LARGER HAIL IN
            HOBE SOUND.

&&

KR

The radar

The Melbourne radar (KMLB), 127 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:23 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Martin

When: April 24, 1:25 PM EST
Where: Martin County, 0.62 mi W of Hobe Sound
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 27.070, -80.140

A trained spotter reported quarter-sized hail in Hobe Sound.

Hail, Martin

When: April 24, 2:10 PM EST
Where: Martin County, 6.25 mi S of Jupiter Is
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 26.980, -80.110

A member of the public reported golf ball sized hail at the River Ridge community in Tequesta off County Line Road.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Florida in 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Florida, April 2018

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: 745887, 745889.