Strong thunderstorms produced golf ball sized hail, gusty winds, and a tornado along the Brevard and Treasure Coasts.
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 MLB wrote it up.
Strong thunderstorms produced golf ball sized hail, gusty winds, and a tornado along the Brevard and Treasure Coasts.
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 16, 3:10 PM EST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Melbourne FL 410 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 .DISCUSSION... Currently-Tonight... A busy afternoon across east central Florida with current KMLB radar imagery showing scattered showers and lightning storms. A couple have become strong this afternoon over Osceola and Brevard counties, especially as the east coast sea breeze continues to push inland. The aforementioned activity is associated with an approaching cold front. Analysis charts show the cold front draped across the eastern CONUS which is associated with a mature wave and stretches from an area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region. Additionally, a 20-30kt LLJ is observed across northern Florida. Also of note, the 15Z observed XMR skew-t signaled sufficient moisture in place with a PWAT value of 1.51" and RH values in the 50-75% range. Furthermore, bulk shear (0-6km) was observed at 34kts, 500mb temp at -11C, as well as an uptick in SCP and SHIP values. Coverage of showers and lighting storms are forecast to increase over east central Florida as collisions occur between sea breezes and outflow from the MCS over the gulf. The best chance for storms remains along and to the south of I-4, especially to the south of Titusville with 70-80% PoPs forecast. Hi-res models continue to signal that conditions are prime for strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening with high CAPE, steepening lapse rates, slightly elevated SCP and SHIP values, bulk shear in the 40-50kt range, in addition to, EHI around 1-3 and helicity in the 200-400 m^2/s^2 range, mainly near the coast to the south of Titusville. The primary hazards associated with any strong to severe storms that develop will be damaging wind gusts up to 60mph, hail up to 1" in diameter, heavy rainfall producing a quick 1 to 3" in a 60 to 90 minute period, and frequent cloud to ground lighting strikes. A secondary threat for a brief tornado is also possible along and to the south of Titusville. Rain chances are forecast to diminish within a couple of hours after sunset, although model guidance indicates that chances for showers and storms may linger across the area into the overnight hours, mainly from what's left of the MCS over the Gulf. Low temperatures are forecast to reach the low to upper 60s. Monday... The cold front will clear east central Florida by the mid morning hours. Lingering moisture will present the chance for isolated showers and lightning storms into the afternoon hours, mainly to the south of Melbourne and towards the Treasure Coast. Gusty winds, cloud to ground lightning strikes and heavy rainfall will be possible before chances dwindle into the evening hours. Afternoon highs will be much cooler behind the front as winds veer north to northwesterly with wind gusts up to 20-25mph possible along the coast. Expect temperatures to top out in the upper 70s to low 80s. Tuesday-Wednesday (previous)...Behind the front, high pressure and drier, cooler air will take hold across ECFL through Wed as the surface high slides over and then east of the state by Wed night. Pleasantly cooler areawide as mins drop off into the L-M50s away from the coast, and U50s to L60s for the immediate coastal and barrier islands communities. For Tue, developing onshore flow with maxes in the U70s coast to L80s well inland and mins M-U50s inland and U50s-L60s coast. Max /min temps warm by 2-4F on Wed as flow veers slightly to SE. Thursday-Saturday (previous)...Weak mid level short wave trough crosses the peninsula Thu ahead of a long wave trough which develops over the eastern CONUS. This will keep heights aloft over FL lower than normal. The Atlantic surface ridge offshore northern-central Fl will shift east, allowing SE winds to advect increasing NW-W into ECFL from late week into next weekend. At the same time, models show a weak cool front approaching or moving into Florida some time next weekend, however there are significant timing diffs that need to be resolved. The forecast re-introduces a modest increase in rain chances spreading from SE to NW-N through the period. Temps will continue to rise back to a few degrees above normal through the period. && .MARINE... Issued at 255 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 Currently-Monday... Choppy boating conditions expected as a cold front moves across the waters into Monday morning. Expect scattered showers and lightning storms with gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes, mainly in the afternoon. South to southwest winds around 8-15kts will veer northerly into Monday with up to 15-20kts possible by Monday afternoon across all of the waters. Tue-Fri...North to Northeast winds Tue will decrease 10-15 knots but seas will remain 4-5 feet in the Gulf Stream. Winds become easterly as high pressure pushes off the GA coast mid to late week allowing seas to fall back to 2-3ft near shore and 4ft offshore. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 255 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 Mainly VFR conditions outside of convection. VCTS and tempo groups at all terminals this evening as a cold front moves through east central Florida. Expect west to southwest winds around 10-15kts to veer north-northwesterly into Monday at around 5-10kts with gusts to 15kts along the coast. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 255 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 A cold front will push through central Florida by late Monday afternoon, with cooler and much drier air spreading across the region into Wednesday. Minimum RH values will drop to well below critical values near and to the northwest I-4 Monday and Tuesday afternoons, ranging from the lower 20s to around 30 percent. Values in the upper 20s and lower 30s are expected across this same area on Wednesday afternoon. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... DAB 63 76 56 76 / 20 10 0 0 MCO 68 81 56 80 / 20 10 0 0 MLB 66 79 61 79 / 40 20 0 0 VRB 66 81 61 80 / 50 30 10 0 LEE 65 82 55 83 / 20 10 0 0 SFB 66 81 55 81 / 20 10 0 0 ORL 67 83 58 82 / 20 10 0 0 FPR 67 78 62 78 / 50 40 10 0 && .MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. AM...None. && SHORT TERM...Fehling LONG TERM....Kelly DECISION SUPPORT...Haley
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Melbourne FL 1122 AM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 AMZ550-552-555-570-572-575-FLZ041-044>046-053-058-141-144-154-159- 164-247-254-259-264-347-447-547-647-747-170300- 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- Northern Lake-Orange-Seminole-Osceola-Okeechobee-Coastal Volusia- Southern Lake-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie- Coastal Martin-Inland Northern Brevard-Inland Indian River- Inland Saint Lucie-Inland Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard- Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Inland Southern Brevard- Mainland Southern Brevard-Southern Brevard Barrier Islands- 1122 AM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. .THUNDERSTORM IMPACT... Numerous showers and scattered lightning storms are forecast this afternoon across east central Florida, some of which could become strong to severe. The main threats from today's storms will be wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to one inch in diameter. Storms will also produce frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and torrential downpours. A secondary threat for a brief tornado exists along and to the south of Titusville. Move indoors to safety at the first sign of threatening skies, or if you hear thunder. .FLOOD IMPACT... Torrential downpours could produce 2 to 3 inches of rain in a 60 to 90 minutes period. This may cause ponding water on roads, and temporary flooding of urban and other poorly drained, low lying areas. The greatest chance for flooding rainfall will exist along and to the south of Melbourne, especially near the coast. .MARINE THUNDERSTORM GUST IMPACT... Storms will be capable of producing wind gusts of 35 knots or greater on area lakes, the Intracoastal Waterway and nearshore Atlantic from late in the afternoon through early evening. .RIP CURRENT IMPACT... A Moderate risk of dangerous rip currents continues at area beaches today. Check with the local beach patrol for additional information about ocean hazards, and always heed the advice of lifeguards. Swim only within sight of a lifeguard, and never enter the ocean alone. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. A cold front moving across the local waters Monday will cause a brief increase in northerly winds and seas. A north wind surge of 15-20 kts will push seas up to around 5 ft well offshore Volusia and Brevard Counties. A period of cooler and much drier air will filter into east central Florida behind a cold front passage on Monday. This will increase the fire weather danger across east central Florida, especially for areas near and north of I-4 and along the Kissimmee River Basin through mid week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed this afternoon and tonight. Fehling
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
413 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ547-162045-
Inland Southern Brevard FL-
413 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Brevard County through 445 PM EDT...
At 413 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Palm Bay. This storm was nearly stationary.
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...
Palm Bay and Malabar.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 2786 8061 2787 8077 2795 8079 2802 8074
2803 8065 2798 8062
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 264DEG 4KT 2793 8074
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LeahyPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
416 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0409 PM FLOOD 4 NNW MELBOURNE 28.16N 80.67W
04/16/2023 BREVARD FL TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTS ROAD COVERED WITH WATER AND
DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS ON WICKHAM RD NEAR WICKHAM
PARK. OBSERVED WATER OVER THE CURB IN SOME LOCATIONS.
&&
EVENT NUMBER MLB2300049
HALEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
426 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ154-159-259-162100-
Coastal St. Lucie FL-Inland St. Lucie FL-Coastal Indian River FL-
426 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern St.
Lucie County through 500 PM EDT...
At 425 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Saint Lucie Airport, or near Indrio, moving east at 5 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...
Fort Pierce, Indrio, Fort Pierce Inlet, Queens Cove and Fort Pierce
North.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 2742 8048 2754 8050 2760 8030 2748 8025
2745 8025
TIME...MOT...LOC 2025Z 250DEG 5KT 2750 8039
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LeahySpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
436 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ053-154-254-547-647-747-162100-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands FL-Osceola FL-
Inland Indian River FL-Coastal Indian River FL-
Inland Southern Brevard FL-Mainland Southern Brevard FL-
436 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Indian
River, southern Brevard and east central Osceola Counties through 500
PM EDT...
At 435 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Suntree, or 7 miles north of Camp Holly Fish Camp, moving east at 5
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...
Palm Bay, Melbourne, Sebastian, Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 2780 8098 2819 8095 2834 8057 2819 8056
2783 8040
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 250DEG 5KT 2820 8074
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LeahyPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MELBOURNE FL
440 PM EDT SUN APR 16 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0410 PM TSTM WND GST 3 W SATELLITE BEACH 28.18N 80.65W
04/16/2023 M54 MPH BREVARD FL MESONET
THE WEATHER STATION AT COQUINA RIDGE MEASURED A WIND
GUST OF 47KT/54MPH FROM THE NORTH.
&&
EVENT NUMBER MLB2300050
HALEYSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
456 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
FLZ053-058-162130-
Okeechobee FL-Osceola FL-
456 PM EDT Sun Apr 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Okeechobee and
southeastern Osceola Counties through 530 PM EDT...
At 456 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 13 miles northwest of Fort Drum to near
Kissimmee Prarie Preserve to 7 miles southwest of Basinger. Movement
was east 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...
Basinger, Fort Drum and Kissimmee Prarie Preserve.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 2723 8099 2725 8098 2726 8100 2730 8100
2730 8103 2733 8105 2736 8103 2738 8107
2738 8110 2739 8112 2742 8114 2744 8114
2747 8118 2771 8104 2768 8087 2764 8087
2764 8078 2756 8078 2756 8075 2721 8094
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 271DEG 22KT 2764 8099 2752 8102 2735 8112
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
LeahyThe Melbourne radar (KMLB), 78 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:07 UTC.
5 hail, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Received a picture of quarter sized hail near the intersection of Orange Ave and N Kings Highway in Fort Pierce.
Received a picture of quarter sized hail near the intersection of NW Maville Dr and NE Chicopa St in Port St Lucie.
Golf ball sized hail was reported near Port St Lucie and White City.
A National Weather Service Melbourne damage survey confirms that|a brief EF-0 tornado touched down initially in the River Groves|mobile home community in Micco. The tornado continued to the east-|southeast into the Summit Cove Condominiums complex before|crossing US-1 and emerging into the Indian River Lagoon near the|Sebastian River Marina and Boatyard. The tornado was on the|ground for approximately 0.5 miles, had a maximum width of|approximately 100 yards, and peak winds estimated between 65-75|mph.
Damage was first noted near Love Ct. where the tornado touched|down at approximately 536 pm EDT. Brevard County Emergency|Management conducted an initial assessment and documented between|25-30 structures with at least minor damage in the River Groves|community, primarily along Love Ct., Cherish Dr., and River Groves|Dr. These homes suffered partial damage to carports, awnings,|siding, and skirting. Additionally, several structures lost|portions of their roof when the attached carport or porch awnings|were torn away from the home.
The tornado continued east-southeast toward the Summit Cove|Condominiums complex where some damage was noted to trees near|the clubhouse, as well as siding on nearby homes, on Summit Cove|Dr. The system crossed US-1 before emerging into the Indian River|Lagoon near the Sebastian River Marina & Boatyard, where several|boats were moved from their storage rack. An eyewitness indicates the|tornado briefly became a waterspout before dissipating.
There are no known direct injuries or fatalities as a result of|the tornado.
Received picture of gold ball sized hail near the intersection of W Midway Rd and Selvitz Rd in White City.
Delayed public report of nickel to quarter sized hail at 5185 SW Bimini Circle in Palm City.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Florida, 2023Warnings 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: 1081989, 1081990, 1081991, 1081994, 1081992, 1081993.