A shortwave trough and frontal boundary migrated across south Florida, which including daytime heating, brought multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms to the east coast metro in South Florida April 16th and overnight into the 17th.
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 MFL wrote it up.
A shortwave trough and frontal boundary migrated across south Florida, which including daytime heating, brought multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms to the east coast metro in South Florida April 16th and overnight into the 17th.
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 Apr 16, 1:23 PM EST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Miami FL 223 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE, and BEACHES... .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Monday) Issued at 132 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 A hot and humid afternoon across South Florida. Abundant low-level moisture and diurnal heating will lead to plenty of instability in the atmosphere. A shortwave will be moving across the Florida peninsula ahead of a frontal boundary this afternoon. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening over the interior that will then spread towards the east coast. A few storms may be strong to severe with an isolated strong to damaging wind gust and small to marginally severe hail possible. The Storm Prediction Center has all of South Florida in a marginal risk for severe storms today. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding,especially over areas that are still saturated and still trying to drain from the recent flooding event. The Weather Prediction Center has upgraded portions of the east coast into a Slight risk for excessive rainfall. While less confidence in tornado potential, there may be a chance for funnel clouds or a brief tornado with any cells that move towards and interact with the Atlantic seabreeze. A little uncertainty in the forecast late tonight into early tomorrow morning as the current cluster ongoing in the Gulf Mexico approaches the Florida peninsula. The HRRR has begun to back off on a secondary line of storms late tonight, but will continue to monitor it this afternoon and make adjustments with the forecast update this evening. On Monday, the unsettled weather is expected to continue as the aforementioned front will not clear the area completely, and allow for moisture to linger across much of South Florida. Wind flow behind the front will begin veering to a more W to NW component. Diurnal heating and breaks in the clouds will be something we have to monitor tomorrow. If we get enough daytime heating a sea breeze may try to develop with easterly/onshore flow at the sfc along the Atlantic coast. This may result in another event of coastal convergence, with showers and storms developing through the afternoon/early evening hours along the coast. Therefore, have increased POPs over the east coast. Given the rainfall forecast for today and this potential, the Weather Prediction Center has introduced a marginal risk of excessive rainfall for Monday. Temperatures on Monday will be slightly cooler due to the increased cloud cover but temperatures will still be in the mid 80s. && .LONG TERM... (Monday night through next Saturday) Issued at 132 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 Drier air will filter into the region from the north Monday night into Tuesday as the mid-lvl boundary finally shifts south. This will bring any rain to an end from north to south, with the entire area likely dry by the daytime hours on Tuesday. A dry and seasonable NErly flow will then set-up on Tuesday, before gradually shifting more easterly on Wednesday as high pressure north of the area shifts eastward. This will make for a fairly pleasant midweek period with highs ranging from around 80 on the east coast to the mid 80s over the Interior/west coast. Dewpoints may even mix into the 50s by Tuesday afternoon...a number which becomes increasingly rare to reach as we enter late spring. The Atlantic high will shift further out to sea Thursday and there may be just enough moisture return to support the return of coastal-convergence induced showers along the east coast. Heading into Friday-Saturday, guidance begins to diverge with the GFS/GEFS camp favoring a less amplified solution for the trough over the eastern US while the EC/CMC (and ensembles) favor a more amplified trough during this timeframe. Regardless, any (theoretical) cold frontal passage would hold off until after Saturday. Consequently, generally warm conditions should prevail with precip chances somewhat dependent upon the strength of any prefrontal warm advection regime. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 118 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will develop across South Florida this afternoon and evening with VCTS for all sites. TEMPOs have been added for TSRA at the terminals and will be updated as needed as storms begin to develop. Winds will be southeast to southerly for the east coast, with SW winds at KAPF today. Winds become northwesterly Monday morning, with east coast sites potentially flipping to NE/E late in the period with showers and storms possible again Monday towards end of the TAF period. && .MARINE... Issued at 132 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 Showers and thunderstorms to end the weekend and to begin the week on Monday, which may produce locally hazardous marine conditions. As the frontal boundary moves through increasing wind as seas will be possible in the Gulf tomorrow with SCEC conditions. High pressure will develop mid-week with northeasterly wind developing. SCEC conditions may be possible mid week over the Atlantic waters. && .BEACHES... An elevated risk of rip currents will be possible along the Gulf coast on Monday with increasing onshore wind flow behind a weak frontal passage. An elevated risk may be possible for the Atlantic beaches for the middle part of the week. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Miami 72 84 69 79 / 40 70 30 20 West Kendall 69 86 66 83 / 40 70 30 20 Opa-Locka 72 85 67 82 / 50 70 30 20 Homestead 70 85 67 81 / 40 70 30 20 Fort Lauderdale 71 83 68 79 / 60 70 30 20 N Ft Lauderdale 71 83 68 79 / 70 70 30 20 Pembroke Pines 71 85 68 82 / 50 70 30 20 West Palm Beach 69 82 67 79 / 70 70 20 10 Boca Raton 70 83 68 79 / 70 70 30 10 Naples 71 83 64 86 / 50 40 10 10 && .MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...Kelly LONG TERM....Carr AVIATION...Kelly
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Miami FL 329 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 AMZ610-630-650-651-670-671-FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-GMZ656-657-676- 171930- 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- 329 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 ... Strong to Severe Storms Possible This Afternoon/Evening... ... Flooding Possible: Especially in Areas Still Saturated... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic, Biscayne Bay, South Florida, Gulf of Mexico and Lake Okeechobee. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms: Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will be possible over the interior and east coast region this afternoon and evening. A few storms may be strong to severe, with frequent lightning, strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall. Flooding: Heavy rain is possible this afternoon into this evening, especially over the east coast of South Florida. This could lead to localized flooding, especially over already saturated grounds from the recent flood event. Hail: An isolated strong to severe storm may be able to produce small to marginally severe hail this afternoon and evening. Wind: A few strong to severe storms may be able to produce strong to damaging wind gust this afternoon and evening particularly over the northern half of the area. Wind gust in excess of 60mph may be possible. Waterspouts: An isolated waterspout may be possible over the local South Florida waters within any showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible again on Monday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours. Lightning, heavy rainfall and gusty winds will be the main hazards. Flooding rainfall may also occur within thunderstorms, and vulnerable areas along the east coast will need to be monitored for localized flooding; flash flooding also cannot be ruled out, specifically for the most vulnerable areas over Fort Lauderdale. An elevated risk of rip current may be possible over the Gulf Coast beaches on Monday. An increasing rip current risk is expected to develop for the mid-week period along the east coast beaches. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
352 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ063-066-162030-
Hendry FL-Glades FL-
352 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Hendry
and southwestern Glades Counties through 430 PM EDT...
At 352 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles northeast of
Muse to near Port La Belle to 6 miles north of Felda. Movement was
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Labelle, Palmdale, Port La Belle, Ortona, Muse, Keri and Lake
Hicpochee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 2695 8114 2667 8112 2656 8151 2672 8153
2690 8156 2704 8133 2703 8133 2703 8127
2708 8127 2711 8121
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 234DEG 20KT 2690 8144 2678 8140 2664 8141
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ATVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
410 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ070-071-073-162045-
Inland Broward County FL-Inland Collier County FL-Inland Miami-
Dade County FL-
410 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
Collier, northern Miami-Dade and southern Broward Counties through
445 PM EDT...
At 410 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm near Dade-Collier Training Airport, or 32 miles
east of Chokoloskee, moving northeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Big Cypress National Preserve.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 2584 8086 2593 8099 2616 8087 2599 8064
TIME...MOT...LOC 2010Z 219DEG 15KT 2593 8086
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ATVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
430 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ063-162115-
Glades FL-
430 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Glades
County through 515 PM EDT...
At 430 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm near Venus, or 8 miles northwest of Palmdale,
moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Brighton Seminole Reservation.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 2708 8104 2693 8145 2703 8151 2703 8134
2704 8133 2703 8133 2703 8127 2712 8127
2712 8117 2721 8117 2721 8111
TIME...MOT...LOC 2030Z 240DEG 14KT 2702 8141
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ATVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
442 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ066-067-070-071-162115-
Inland Broward County FL-Hendry FL-Inland Collier County FL-
Inland Palm Beach County FL-
442 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of east central Collier,
southeastern Hendry, Broward and southwestern Palm Beach Counties
through 515 PM EDT...
At 442 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 11 miles southeast
of Devils Garden to near Big Cypress Seminole Reservation to 7 miles
south of Miccosukee Service Plaza. Movement was northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Miccosukee Indian Reservation, Big Cypress Seminole Reservation,
Miccosukee Service Plaza, Rotenberger Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress
National Preserve and West Broward Rec. Area On Alligator Alley.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 2665 8091 2632 8069 2604 8065 2601 8092
2623 8097 2649 8113
TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 246DEG 12KT 2650 8100 2628 8088 2606 8083
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ATVSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
514 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ066-067-071-162145-
Inland Broward County FL-Hendry FL-Inland Palm Beach County FL-
514 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Broward and
southwestern Palm Beach Counties through 545 PM EDT...
At 514 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Okeelanta to
near Holey Land Wildlife Refuge to 9 miles northeast of Miccosukee
Service Plaza. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Belle Glade, South Bay, Okeelanta, Holey Land Wildlife Refuge, Belle
Glade Camp and Rotenberger Wildlife Refuge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
These winds can down small tree limbs and branches, and blow around
unsecured small objects. Seek shelter in a safe building until the
storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 2673 8063 2655 8051 2625 8051 2620 8081
2636 8084 2652 8093
TIME...MOT...LOC 2114Z 233DEG 23KT 2655 8077 2642 8069 2626 8073
LIGHTNING...EXCESSIVE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
ATVThe Miami radar (KAMX), 113 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:20 UTC.
4 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The Palm Beach County Emergency Manager reported wind damage to private and public property at the Okeelanta sugar mill due to severe thunderstorm. Damage included overturned trailers and portable bathrooms, broken fences, and a fallen palm tree.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph/52 knots was measured at the Belle Glade FAWN mesonet station.
A member of the public sent pictures and a video of damage to fences, sheds, and trees in Loxahatchee. Evidence and radar data suggest the likelihood of a localized area of microburst originated winds of 60-70 mph.
A major road closed, with a stranded vehicle, due to flooding from heavy rain in Greenacres. Time estimated from heavy rainfall and media reports.
Law enforcement reports of large trees down from wind gusts around SE 27th Drive in Homestead. Time estimated from radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, April 2023
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: 1091935, 1091929, 1091938, 1091930, 1091933.