A frontal boundary situated over Central Florida brought a warm and moist airmass over South Florida, which combined with ample lift from mid-level troughing to develop strong thunderstorms over the area during the afternoon and evening. These storms produced strong wind gusts over much of the area.
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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 frontal boundary situated over Central Florida brought a warm and moist airmass over South Florida, which combined with ample lift from mid-level troughing to develop strong thunderstorms over the area during the afternoon and evening. These storms produced strong wind gusts over much of the area.
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 Sep 21, 2:33 PM EST, 3 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Miami FL 333 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 ...New LONG TERM, MARINE, BEACHES... .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Friday) Issued at 127 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 A stalled frontal boundary over Central Florida lingers for another day. South Florida remains in the warm, moist airmass to the south of the boundary which will support another day of higher convective coverage. A pocket of colder air aloft will again mean that strong storms are possible again today, particularly over northern portions of South Florida including the Lake Okeechobee region. The lack of a dominant steering flow will mean that storm motion will be weak with a persistent risk of excessive rainfall continuing into today. Areas that have seen antecedent rainfall will need to be monitored for saturation and potential flooding, particularly urbanized and poorly drained areas. A developing area of low pressure aloft off the Carolina coast will be the main synoptic scale feature of interest to close out the work week. The potential development of an accompanying surface low (Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen) could help consolidate moisture away from southern Florida for the weekend which could help lower shower and thunderstorm chances back to more towards average for this time of year for Friday. Even with the potential reduction in rain chances, the cooler air aloft could still persist which could permit some strong convection again on Friday. Temperatures will cool off, relatively speaking, with mid 80s to lower 90s for maximums and 70s for overnight lows, though some upper 60s are possible inland. The extra cloud cover will also help heat index values remain below 105 today and below 100 on Friday. && .LONG TERM... (Friday night through next Wednesday) Issued at 253 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 The long term period will start off with robust subtropical ridging over the South-Central U.S., while troughing persists across the eastern seaboard associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone 16. While an influx of drier air is expected to push in Friday night, a resurgence of higher moisture levels is anticipated for Saturday. This will be facilitated by a shift to southerly winds in the mid and upper atmosphere as PTC 16 lifts north into the Mid-Atlantic, and troughing drags down across the eastern Gulf. Consequently, Probability of Precipitation (PoPs) are forecast to rise to 70-80% for Saturday and Sunday across South Florida. As we transition into next week, the subtropical ridge is projected to weaken, diminishing the pronounced troughing over our region. Nonetheless, tropical moisture will likely persist, owing to sustained southerly flow at the mid-levels, which implies near-normal rainfall probabilities (50-60% PoPs) for the season. The convective activity is likely to be driven more by mesoscale factors such a sea-breezes. Temperature-wise, highs are expected to hover between the upper 80s and low 90s across the area, with overnight lows maintaining in the 70s. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 127 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 Intermittent periods of sub-VFR as showers and thunderstorms could impact terminals through the period, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Light wind flow will make for a tricky, low-confidence wind forecast that will be heavily dependent on sea breezes and other boundaries for direction both today and tomorrow. Short- fused AMDs will likely be necessary for IFR/LIFR at directly- impacted terminals. after a reduced range of 50-60% on Friday and Saturday due to the drier air mass && .MARINE... Issued at 253 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 A moderate easterly wind regime is anticipated to prevail today, with wave heights forecast to remain generally at or below 3 feet. The moderate winds will gradually transition to out of the northeast on Friday and over the weekend, with northerly swell building. This may result in hazardous conditions across the Atlantic waters off Palm Beach and Broward Counties as seas build to 5 to 7 feet on Saturday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will also be possible through the weekend, and may result in locally hazardous conditions. && .BEACHES... Issued at 253 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 A High Risk of Rip Currents continues for the Palm Beaches today with a moderate risk for the Broward beaches. An elevated risk of rip currents is likely to persist for the Atlantic beaches through Friday and over the weekend as east to northeast winds persist and a northerly swell builds in. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Miami 74 88 75 87 / 50 50 40 50 West Kendall 72 89 72 88 / 40 50 40 50 Opa-Locka 74 89 74 88 / 50 50 40 50 Homestead 73 88 73 87 / 40 50 50 50 Fort Lauderdale 74 87 75 87 / 60 50 40 50 N Ft Lauderdale 74 88 75 87 / 50 50 40 50 Pembroke Pines 74 88 74 87 / 50 50 40 50 West Palm Beach 73 87 74 87 / 40 40 30 50 Boca Raton 74 88 75 88 / 40 50 40 50 Naples 74 91 74 89 / 40 40 30 40 && .MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...High Rip Current Risk through Friday evening for FLZ168. AM...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...RAG LONG TERM....Culver AVIATION...RAG
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Miami FL 345 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 AMZ610-630-650-651-670-671-FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-GMZ656-657-676- 221945- 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- 345 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023 ...High Risk of Rip Currents for the Palm Beaches... ...Scattered to Numerous Thunderstorms 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. Thunderstorms: Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into early evening. Some of the storms may contain gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. A few instances of street flooding is possible. Rip Currents: A high risk for rip currents will persist across the Palm Beaches today, with a moderate risk for the Broward beaches. Waterspouts: A few waterspouts are possible today across the area waters. Heat: Max heat indices around 100 degrees are possible today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon into the end of the week and through the upcoming weekend. The rip current risk will remain high across the Palm Beaches through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, while an elevated risk for rip currents may be present for the beaches of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Hazardous marine conditions may develop across the local Atlantic waters off Palm Beach and Broward Counties due to elevated seas associated with a northerly swell. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report high wind, hail, and flooding to the National Weather Service forecast office in Miami.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
522 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
FLZ071>074-212200-
Inland Broward County FL-Metropolitan Miami Dade FL-
Metro Broward County FL-Inland Miami-Dade County FL-
522 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade
and southern Broward Counties through 600 PM EDT...
At 522 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a funnel cloud 8 miles
south of Intersection Alligator Alley And Miami Canal, or 17 miles
west of Pembroke Pines, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Funnel clouds and wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes
or waterspouts. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and
blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Weston, Doral, Hialeah Gardens,
Medley, Intersection I-75 And U.S. 27, Pennsuco, Mile Marker 30 On
Alligator Alley, Intersection Alligator Alley And Miami Canal,
Intersection Krome And U.S. 27, and East Toll Gate 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.
Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes or
waterspouts. Move indoors and stay away from windows.
&&
LAT...LON 2574 8072 2612 8082 2621 8039 2583 8034
TIME...MOT...LOC 2122Z 261DEG 13KT 2602 8063
FUNNEL CLOUD...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CWCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
614 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
FLZ067-068-071>074-168-172-173-212300-
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-
614 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Miami-Dade,
Broward and south central Palm Beach Counties through 700 PM EDT...
At 614 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a funnel cloud over
Intersection I-75 And Griffin Road, or over Davie, moving east at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Funnel clouds and wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes
or waterspouts. 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, Pompano Beach, Davie, Miami Beach, Plantation,
Sunrise, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Tamarac, Margate, Lighthouse
Point, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Surfside, and Miami Gardens.
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.
Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes or
waterspouts. Move indoors and stay away from windows.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 2610 8011 2611 8012 2605 8011 2591 8013
2591 8014 2590 8012 2590 8011 2589 8012
2586 8012 2585 8015 2587 8014 2588 8016
2586 8018 2585 8016 2585 8024 2583 8050
2635 8046 2634 8007
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 266DEG 20KT 2609 8033
FUNNEL CLOUD...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CWCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Miami FL
626 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
FLZ063-066-067-212300-
Hendry FL-Inland Palm Beach County FL-Glades FL-
626 PM EDT Thu Sep 21 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Hendry,
west central Palm Beach and south central Glades Counties through 700
PM EDT...
At 626 PM EDT, National Weather Service meteorologists were tracking
a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a funnel cloud near
Montura, moving southeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Funnel clouds and winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes
or waterspouts. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and
blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Belle Glade, Clewiston, South Bay, Moore Haven, Montura, Lake Harbor,
Devils Garden, Harlem, 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.
Funnel clouds occasionally touch down and produce tornadoes or
waterspouts. Move indoors and stay away from windows.
&&
LAT...LON 2693 8108 2692 8110 2689 8112 2682 8106
2682 8100 2681 8095 2681 8096 2680 8096
2677 8094 2673 8085 2670 8082 2669 8075
2670 8073 2671 8073 2668 8068 2643 8085
2651 8115 2676 8130 2694 8108
TIME...MOT...LOC 2226Z 300DEG 26KT 2674 8110
FUNNEL CLOUD...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CWCThe Miami radar (KAMX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:38 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The WeatherSTEM/FSWN station at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport measured a wind gust to 57 knots / 66 mph as a severe thunderstorm moved through the area. Wind gusts up to 55 mph were measured at the same location at 6:53 PM EDT.
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, September 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: 1141363.