As an upper-level trough moved over the Florida Peninsula, abundant low-level moisture and diurnal heating led to plenty of instability in the atmosphere on July 16th. Numerous showers and thunderstorms formed in the afternoon and evening across South Florida with the primary hazard of damaging winds.
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.
As an upper-level trough moved over the Florida Peninsula, abundant low-level moisture and diurnal heating led to plenty of instability in the atmosphere on July 16th. Numerous showers and thunderstorms formed in the afternoon and evening across South Florida with the primary hazard of damaging winds.
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 Jul 16, 2:05 PM EST, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Miami FL
305 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...Heat Advisory Through Monday All Of South Florida, Except
Excessive Heat Warning Miami-Dade County Until 7 PM EDT This
Evening...
...A Few Strong Storms Possible Eastern Areas This Afternoon...
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE...
.SHORT TERM...
(Rest of today through Monday)
Issued at 256 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
This afternoon into tonight...
High pressure will remain over the Bahamas extending westward into
South Florida through tonight. This will keep a south to southwest
steering flow over South Florida allowing for the west coast sea
breeze to continue to push eastward across the region and keeping
the east coast sea breeze pin to the east coast metro areas.
Showers and thunderstorms should continue to develop and increase in
coverage as it moves east across South Florida this afternoon.
Showers and thunderstorms should also start to develop along the
east coast sea breeze and become more numerous through the afternoon
hours over the east coast metro areas.
A few of the storms are still forecast to become strong this
afternoon into the early evening hours over the interior and east
coast metro areas where the sea breezes and lake breeze collide, due
to the Saharan Air south of the region clipping South Florida. The
primary impacts will be lightning strikes, gusty winds and locally
heavy rainfall.]
Lows tonight will once again only get down into the mid to upper 70s
over the interior areas to around 80 over the metro areas of South
Florida due to the very warm waters around South Florida.
Monday...
The ridge of high pressure will remain nearly stationary over the
Bahamas and extend into South Florida on Monday, as the Saharan Air
moves west into the Southern Gulf of Mexico. This will keep the the
steering flow over South Florida in a south to southwest direction
along with keeping the tropical moisture in place. This will also
allow for the west coast sea breeze to push inland across the region
with the east coast sea breeze remaining near or over the east coast
metro areas on Monday. Showers and thunderstorms should develop
along the sea breezes and focus the highest coverage over the east
interior and east coast metro areas with numerous conditions by
afternoon hours.
The PWAT values will still remain in the 1.9 to 2.2 inch range.
These PWAT values will remain above the 90th percentile for this
time of year. Therefore, heavy rainfall is possible with any
thunderstorms that do develop over South Florida on Monday.
The short range models are still forecasting the highs to be in the
mid to upper 90s over South Florida with dew points in the mid to
upper 70s over the interior areas to near 80 over the metro areas on
Monday. This will allow for the heat indices to be back into the 107
to 112 range over most areas. Therefore, the Heat Advisory will be
extended for all of South Florida through Monday which now makes it
14 days straight for a Heat Advisory that started on July 4th, 2023.
Miami-Dade County is also very close to a possible Excessive Heat
Warning as the heat indices could get to 110 to 112 for 2 hours.
However, planning on holding off on the heat warning at this time
and wait for later model runs to see if this trend continues before
issuing the heat warning.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Monday night through next Saturday)
Issued at 256 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
The deep trough, which broke down the current ridge, will be on it's
way out late Monday. Another ridge will build back in by mid-week
and high pressure moves in from the Western Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico. Unsettled weather will continue throughout the week with
daily opportunities for scattered showers and thunderstorms
(50-70% chance) across South FL. There will be slight variations
in storm timing, coverage, and evolution due to wind shifts.
Currently, long-term forecasts show an easterly wind beginning
mid-week with a potential shift for the weekend. However, if we
stay clear of any approaching Saharan Dust, there will be elevated
PWATS (1.8-2.2") and heat throughout the week due to warm water &
air temperatures.
The temperature trend will continue, as we miss any true impact from
the SE trough intrusion, with highs in the low to mid 90s and
overnight lows in the mid-70s to 80s. By the weekend, models are
indicating potential for temperatures to warm further and reach
the mid-to-upper 90s. The need for heat advisories and/or
excessive heat warnings will likely continue into mid-week as warm
dew points and temperatures will lead to daily heat indices up to
105-110+. However, depending on approaching SAL dry air and
steering flow, this can also impact the moisture and heat indices.
Confidence is low and modifications/extensions will be made as
needed.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 256 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
The east coast TAF sites will see a direction to be between 150 and
170 degrees this afternoon except KTMB where it will be 180 to 190
degrees with speeds of 5 to 10 knots. KAPF taf site will be SW at 5
to 10 knots this afternoon. VCTS for all east coast TAF sites with a
tempo group from 19Z and 22Z for lower ceiling and vis in the
showers and storms. light winds tonight at all of the TAF sites with
VFR conditions.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 256 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
The winds will remain in a south southwest direction tonight into
Monday due to the high Atlantic high being over the Bahamas.
The high should then shift northward middle of next week allowing
for the wind flow to swing to more of a southeast direction. The
high will then shift back southward into the Bahamas by end of the
week allowing for the winds to shift back to a south southwest
direction.
The wind speeds will remain at 10 knots or less through Monday
before increasing a little bit to 10 to 15 knots by middle of this
week. The wind speeds will then decrease back to less than 10 knots
by end of this week. This will keep the Atlantic seas at 2 feet or
less through Monday before increasing to 2 to 3 feet for the middle
of the week going back to less than 2 feet or less by end of the
week. The Gulf seas will remain at 2 feet or less through this week.
Therefore, boating conditions looks good through through this
week outside of any showers and thunderstorms.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Miami 80 93 79 92 / 40 70 30 60
West Kendall 78 95 77 94 / 40 70 30 60
Opa-Locka 78 93 77 92 / 40 70 40 60
Homestead 78 92 78 92 / 40 60 30 60
Fort Lauderdale 78 92 77 91 / 50 70 40 60
N Ft Lauderdale 79 93 78 92 / 50 70 40 60
Pembroke Pines 78 93 77 92 / 50 70 40 60
West Palm Beach 78 92 77 92 / 60 80 50 60
Boca Raton 78 93 77 92 / 50 70 50 60
Naples 81 93 80 94 / 20 60 40 60
&&
.MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT Monday for FLZ063-066>072-075-168-
172.
Excessive Heat Warning until 7 PM EDT this evening for FLZ073-
074-173-174.
Heat Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Monday for
FLZ073-074-173-174.
AM...None.
GM...None.
&&
SHORT TERM...BNB
LONG TERM....Simmons
AVIATION...BNBHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Miami FL 340 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023 AMZ610-630-650-651-670-671-FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-GMZ656-657-676- 171945- 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 County-Metro Palm Beach County- Coastal Collier County-Inland Collier County-Inland Broward County- Metro Broward County-Inland Miami-Dade County- Metropolitan Miami Dade-Mainland Monroe-Coastal Palm Beach County- Coastal Broward County-Coastal Miami Dade County-Far South Miami- Dade County- 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- 340 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023 ...Excessive Heat Warning Miami-Dade County Today... ...Heat Advisory Rest Of South Florida Today... ...A Few Strong Storms Eastern Areas Of South Florida Today... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Atlantic coastal waters, southeast Florida, southern Florida, southwest Florida and Gulf of Mexico. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Heat: An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect today for Miami Dade County as heat indices could reach 110 or higher for prolonged periods of time. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the rest of South Florida with heat indices ranging between 108 and 112. Thunderstorms: Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop across portions of South Florida this afternoon and this evening. The main hazards with these storms will be heavy downpours, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. A few of the storms could be strong over the eastern areas of South Florida. Winds: The strongest thunderstorms could contain wind gusts in excess of 50 mph. Flooding: Slow-moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall could result in the potential for localized flooding, especially across the east coast metro areas this afternoon. Tornadoes: An isolated weak tornado is possible over the east coast metro areas this afternoon into early evening where the sea breezes collide. Waterspouts: An isolated waterspout cannot be ruled out over South Florida waters with the strongest thunderstorms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Heat index values will remain high throughout most of the week. These values will range between 105 and 110 each afternoon and early evening with some localized areas having heat indices exceed 110 degrees. The chance of showers and thunderstorms will remain elevated through most of the week. A few of the thunderstorms could become strong with potential for gusty winds, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report high wind, hail, and flooding to the National Weather Service forecast office in Miami.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Miami FL
410 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0343 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 10 NW Pahokee 26.90N 80.79W
07/16/2023 M43 MPH AMZ610 FL Mesonet
Lake Oke Center FL SFWMD.
0344 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 8 W Pahokee 26.82N 80.78W
07/16/2023 M62 MPH AMZ610 FL Mesonet
Lake Oke South End SFWMD.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
432 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
FLZ073-074-173-162100-
Metropolitan Miami Dade FL-Inland Miami-Dade County FL-
Coastal Miami Dade County FL-
432 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade
County through 500 PM EDT...
At 432 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm over Olympia Heights, or near South Miami,
moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, South Miami, Kendall, Doral, Pinecrest,
Miami Springs, Sweetwater, West Miami, Medley, Westchester, Glenvar
Heights, Fountainbleau, Kendale Lakes, Palmetto Bay, University Of
Miami, Coral Terrace, Olympia Heights and Liberty City.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 2567 8044 2585 8038 2583 8017 2562 8032
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 279DEG 11KT 2572 8035
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
433 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
FLZ070-071-073-075-162115-
Inland Broward County FL-Inland Collier County FL-Mainland Monroe FL-
Inland Miami-Dade County FL-
433 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade
County through 515 PM EDT...
At 433 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm near Dade-Collier Training Airport, or 29 miles
northwest of The Redland, moving southeast at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fortymile Bend and Dade-Collier Training Airport.
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 2591 8092 2598 8073 2584 8062 2574 8086
TIME...MOT...LOC 2033Z 337DEG 7KT 2588 8080
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
443 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
FLZ073-162115-
Inland Miami-Dade County FL-
443 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade
County through 515 PM EDT...
At 443 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm 8 miles west of Intersection Krome And Kendall
Drive, or 10 miles northwest of The Redland, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
The Redland, Intersection Krome And Kendall Drive, The Hammocks,
Miccosukee Resort, Country Walk and Kendall West.
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 2555 8073 2576 8077 2583 8064 2584 8049
2565 8043 2556 8051
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 263DEG 13KT 2566 8062
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
456 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
FLZ067-068-071-072-168-172-162200-
Inland Broward County FL-Coastal Broward County FL-
Coastal Palm Beach County FL-Metro Broward County FL-
Inland Palm Beach County FL-Metro Palm Beach County FL-
456 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Broward and
eastern Palm Beach Counties through 600 PM EDT...
At 456 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Tequesta to
West Palm Beach to near Wellington to near Mile Marker 30 On
Alligator Alley. Movement was east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach,
Plantation, Sunrise, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach,
Delray Beach, Tamarac, Wellington, Jupiter, Margate, Palm Beach
Gardens, Lake Worth, Riviera Beach, Lighthouse Point, Palm Beach and
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 2633 8003 2612 8011 2614 8065 2658 8034
2674 8020 2697 8012 2697 8003
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 264DEG 21KT 2696 8006 2675 8013 2659 8028 2621
8051
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
NCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
528 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
FLZ067-068-071>074-168-172-173-162230-
Inland Broward County FL-Coastal Broward County FL-
Coastal Palm Beach County FL-Metropolitan Miami Dade FL-
Metro Broward County FL-Inland Palm Beach County FL-Inland Miami-
Dade County FL-Metro Palm Beach County FL-
Coastal Miami Dade County FL-
528 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade,
Broward and eastern Palm Beach Counties through 630 PM EDT...
At 527 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm over Riviera Beach, moving north at 130 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Miami, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar,
Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Davie, Plantation,
Sunrise, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach,
Tamarac, Wellington, Jupiter and Margate.
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.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 2557 8021 2575 8083 2696 8041 2696 8014
2697 8014 2697 8003
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 197DEG 115KT 2678 8009
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WRThe Miami radar (KAMX), 60 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:56 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A private weather station in Sunrise near NW 96th Avenue measured a wind gust of 50 knots / 58 mph as a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
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, July 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: 1118998.