Thunderstorms along and ahead of a cold front produced severe wind gusts in Brevard County.
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.
Thunderstorms along and ahead of a cold front produced severe wind gusts in Brevard County.
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 May 2, 1:43 PM EST, 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
243 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...New KEY MESSAGES, DISCUSSION, MARINE...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 233 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
- There is a Marginal to Slight Risk for severe storms through
roughly 11 PM today, especially near and north of I-4. The
primary hazard is a 5-15% chance for damaging wind gusts. There
is also a small chance for large hail and a tornado or two.
There is a Tornado Watch in effect from Brevard to Osceola
northward through 6 PM tonight.
- Hot ahead of the storms today with widespread low/mid 90s in
the afternoon. Widespread Moderate HeatRisk is forecast, which
affects those sensitive to heat and/or without access to
adequate hydration or cooling. Temps turn cooler on Sunday.
- Peak wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph expected ahead of any storms
this afternoon. A Wind Advisory is in effect for Brevard to
Osceola counties northward through 6PM. These gusty winds
combined with low relative humidity and drought conditions have
produced sensitive to critical fire weather conditions this
afternoon. Outdoor burning is discouraged today! A Red Flag
Warning is in effect this afternoon south of Orlando and the
Cape.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 233 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
Today-Tonight... Upper level low pressure across Ontario with axis
extending across the Midwest and into TX will steadily shift
eastward, deepening as it shifts towards the eastern seaboard. At
the surface, a cold front draped across the Deep South and the
Florida panhandle will slowly drop southward across central Florida
through the day and overnight hours. Current guidance shows the
front reaching Lake/Volusia counties by mid afternoon and
continuing to shift southward across ECFL through the day and
overnight hours, pushing into South Florida before daybreak on
Sunday. Locally, the pressure gradient will tighten ahead of the
front as the Florida peninsula is situated between the approaching
cold front to the north and the high pressure across the western
Atlantic to the south. Strong and gusty SW winds of 15-20 mph with
frequent gusts of 30-35 mph will develop by late morning and
continue into the afternoon. A Wind Advisory has been issued for
Brevard/Osceola northward for frequent gusts near 35 mph through 6
PM.
Temperatures will continue to be well above normal today with
near record highs at MLB/VRB/FPR. Afternoon highs will reach the
upper 80s to low 90s across Lake/Volusia counties (due to the high
cloud cover and rain chances), and low to mid 90s everywhere else,
with mid 90s especially across the Space and Treasure Coasts.
Widespread Moderate HeatRisk is forecast, which affects those
sensitive to heat and/or without access to adequate hydration or
cooling. In addition, deep mixing will produce lowest RH values
across the south. Low RH combined with the gusty SW winds and
already dry conditions has prompted a Red Flag Warning from
Osceola/south Brevard to Okeechobee and Treasure coast through 7
PM this evening. Important to note that today will be a very fire
sensitive day across all of EC FL but Red Flag criteria are most
likely to be met across the south. Any new or existing fires will
be capable of spreading rapidly. Any lightning strikes may spark
brush fires that smolder for a day or two before flaring up.
Rain and storm chances return this afternoon along and ahead of the
front. While CAM guidance is in agreement with a faster convective
evolution, there remains some disagreement with exact timing of the
convection. However, current guidance shows the convective band
reaching the northern counties of the CWA by early to mid-afternoon.
Convection is forecast to weaken as it moves southward across ECFL
into this evening and overnight. There is a medium to high (40-70
percent) chance of showers and storms from Orlando metro area
northward, and a low to medium (20-40 percent) chance of showers and
storms southward towards Okeechobee/St. Lucie counties in the
afternoon and evening. Rain chances then increase to 40-70 percent
area wide in the evening and overnight hours as the front continues
to push southward across the local area.
The storm environment will be favorable for strong to severe storms
this afternoon and evening, mainly focused along and north of I 4
but extends across Orlando metro and Brevard/Osceola counties. This
is supported by forecast soundings showing an increase in moisture
(PW values of 1.5-1.9"), cooler temperatures aloft (-10 to -11C at
500mb), sufficient instability (MUCAPE 900-1300 J/kg), ample upper
level shear (50-65 knots), as well as an adequate downdraft
potential (DCAPE around 500-800 J/kg). Stronger storms will be
capable of producing frequent lightning, gusty winds of 40-60 mph,
hail and even a tornado or two can not be ruled out. The primary
threat continues to be strong to damaging wind gusts with large hail
and a Tornado or two being a secondary threat. If hail does occur,
it will most likely occur in discrete individual supercells, but the
shear may be too strong too allow for this. A Tornado Watch has been
issued for Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Lake, and Volusia
counties until 6 PM. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Lake and
Volusia Counties into a Slight risk (level 2/5), with a Marginal
risk (level 1/5) to the south.
Sunday... The aforementioned upper level trough across the eastern
US will continue to push eastward and offshore into the Atlantic
through the day, eventually forming a closed low near Maine/New
Brunswick/Nova Scotia. The cold front located near the southern
Treasure Coast/Southern Florida line near day break will continue to
shift southward through the day. Locally, the pressure gradient will
slacken slightly, causing the NE winds to settle to 10-15 mph with
gusts 20-25 mph possible at times. Scattered to numerous showers and
lightning storms are forecast on Sunday, mainly across the southern
sections, with highest rain chances (70 percent) focused on Martin
county. Considerable clouds and cooler temps will limit the threat
for strong/severe storms. Because of this, the main storm threats
will be frequent lightning, gusty winds of 40-50 mph, and locally
heavy rainfall. This is supported by the GFS forecast PW values
being around 2.0" across the southern CWA with drier air forecast to
filter in across the north behind the front (PW values 1.2-1.5").
Temperatures will be below normal with highs in the mid to upper
70s, except low 80s across Lake county. Overnight lows will be near
to slightly below normal, with lows in the mid 50s to low 60s across
the north, and low to mid 60s across the south.
Monday-Saturday... Ridging aloft will stay in place through the
period, sliding southward into late week as an upper level low
across the Midwest swings into the NE by Friday, and up into Canada
by Saturday. At the surface, high pressure extending from the Gulf
Coast States across the Southeast U.S will weaken into mid-week,
shifting seaward into the western Atlantic. The next frontal
boundary will then drop southward into the Deep South by mid/late
week, pushing southward across the Florida peninsula on Friday. High
pressure will then build across the Florida peninsula behind the
front on Saturday. Locally, onshore flow (E/SE) will prevail through
Wednesday, becoming gusty each afternoon behind the east coast sea
breeze. Winds will then turn westerly on Thursday ahead of the
front, north/northeast on Friday behind the front, and easterly on
Saturday.
Lingering moisture from the stalled front over South Florida/
Straits of Florida will keep a low (20 percent) chance of showers
across Martin and St. Lucie Counties on Monday. Otherwise, mostly
dry conditions forecast through mid week. Rain and storm chances
return Thursday as the next frontal boundary approaches the local
area. There is a low to medium (20-30 percent) chance of rain and
storms Thursday and Friday as the front moves southward across the
area. Temperatures will be on a warming trend through the period,
with afternoon highs soaring into the low to mid 90s by mid week.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 233 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
Today-Wednesday... Deteriorating boating conditions today as a cold
front approaches and pushes southward across the area through the
day into Sunday. Southwest winds will generally be at 15-20 KT today
over the offshore waters, especially south of Sebastian Inlet , with
a period of near 20 KT offshore in the afternoon ahead of the front.
Winds then shift out of the north tonight into Sunday behind the
front, then out of the northeast Sunday night/Monday as an elongated
high pressure to the north builds over the area. Wind speeds will be
15-20 KT behind the front, decreasing to 10-15 KT Monday. Winds veer
east to southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday around 10 KT as the ridge
axis approaches the area. Seas build 3-5 ft today before building to
4-6 ft Sunday. Seas begin to subside slightly on Monday, with seas 3-
5 ft before decreasing further to 3-4 ft area wide Tuesday and
Wednesday. Scattered to numerous showers and lightning storms
(chances up to 70 percent) will accompany the frontal passage this
afternoon into Sunday, decreasing Sunday night, with isolated to
scattered showers and storms (chances 20-30 percent) remaining
possible south of Ft Pierce Inlet Monday and Tuesday. Dry conditions
forecast Wednesday.
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFs)
Issued at 151 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
A TORNADO WATCH remains in effect thru 6PM this evening for
terminals across I-4 and down thru MLB. SW/WSW winds
breezy/gusty (15-20 kts, G30 kts, possibly higher outside of
convection). SCT, quick- moving, TSRA along/ahead of the front
arrive at KLEE/KDAB around 18Z, gradually pushing south over the
next several hours, reaching the KSUA around 02Z, then dissipating
after 05Z. Forecast is for decreasing intensity thru late
aftn/early eve. Will need to watch for ISOLD-SCT discrete cells
developing ahead of the line as well. ISOLD +TSRA could produce
wind gusts exceeding 35-40 kts, esp from KMLB north between
18Z-00Z. High moisture near the front will continue to produce
-SHRA and drop CIGs to MVFR behind the main convective line
through most of the night with gradual improvement during the day
on Sun at least north of MLB; much slower CIG improvement south of
here. NW winds tonight, post-frontal, gradually diminish to near
10 kts. Winds continue to veer N/NE thru the day on Sun, with
speeds 10-15 kts as the pgrad remains a bit tight. ISOLD to SCT
convection on Sun - generally from near MLB southward.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 419 AM EDT Sat May 2 2026
Strong and gusty southwest to west winds today will increase 15-25
mph with gusts 30-35 mph by early afternoon and produce a fire
weather sensitive day across all of east central FL. Hottest temps
and lowest RH values will occur south of Orlando where mid 90s and
critical RH values are forecast. Thus, a Red Flag Warning has been
issued for Osceola, Okeechobee, Martin, Saint Lucie, Indian River
and south Brevard counties this afternoon. Dispersion values will be
Excellent all areas. Such conditions will support rapid spread of
any new or existing fires.
An cold front will push into Lake and Volusia counties late today
and reach south Florida early Sunday. Scattered showers and
lightning storms will accompany the front beginning late this
afternoon across the north, spreading southward tonight. Cooler on
Sunday behind the front with lingering showers and storms across
southern sections. Any lightning strikes will be a concern for new
fire starts. Unfortunately, the rainfall this weekend is forecast to
bring only limited drought relief.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Issued at 419 AM EDT Sat May 2 2026
Record high temperatures today:
Site May 2
DAB 95 (1953)
LEE 95 (1990)
SFB 94 (2010)
MCO 97 (1906)
MLB 95 (2002)
VRB 94 (2002)
FPR 95 (2002)
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DAB 62 77 61 80 / 50 0 0 0
MCO 65 80 64 83 / 50 10 10 10
MLB 68 78 67 80 / 70 20 20 10
VRB 68 78 66 80 / 70 40 30 10
LEE 61 81 60 85 / 40 0 0 0
SFB 63 80 61 83 / 50 0 0 0
ORL 65 80 63 83 / 50 0 10 0
FPR 68 78 66 80 / 70 50 40 20
&&
.MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Tornado Watch until 6 PM EDT this evening for FLZ041-044>046-053-
141-144-247-347-447-547-647-747.
Wind Advisory until 6 PM EDT this evening for FLZ041-044>046-053-
141-144-247-347-447-547-647-747.
Red Flag Warning until 7 PM EDT this evening for FLZ053-058-154-
159-164-254-259-264-547-647-747.
AM...Tornado Watch until 6 PM EDT this evening for AMZ552.
&&
DISCUSSION...Watson
AVIATION...SedlockSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
140 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ041-044-046-141-144-021830-
Northern Lake County FL-Coastal Volusia FL-Seminole FL-
Inland Volusia FL-Southern Lake County FL-
140 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN SEMINOLE...LAKE AND
VOLUSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...
At 139 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southwest of Bunnell to near Lake Weir
to 7 miles south of Inverness Highlands South. Movement was east at
55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Deltona, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, and DeLand.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2943 8107 2919 8095 2879 8137 2878 8166
2847 8166 2834 8189 2835 8196 2836 8196
2896 8195 2896 8166 2928 8164 2932 8168
2940 8142 2926 8142 2927 8115 2941 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 1739Z 264DEG 49KT 2941 8133 2899 8205 2869 8231
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SedlockSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
214 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ041-141-247-347-447-021845-
Coastal Volusia FL-Northern Brevard Barrier Islands FL-
Inland Volusia FL-Mainland Northern Brevard FL-
Inland Northern Brevard FL-
214 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN BREVARD AND
SOUTHEASTERN VOLUSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM EDT...
At 214 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Geneva, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Titusville, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, Oak Hill, and Mims.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2862 8056 2856 8093 2860 8095 2861 8097
2889 8110 2902 8085
TIME...MOT...LOC 1814Z 254DEG 26KT 2873 8102
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
SedlockSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
226 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ041-044-045-144-021900-
Northern Lake County FL-Orange FL-Inland Volusia FL-
Southern Lake County FL-
226 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT LAKE...NORTHWESTERN ORANGE AND
CENTRAL VOLUSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 226 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from Lisbon to 6 miles southwest
of Bushnell. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Apopka, DeLand, Leesburg, Eustis, and Tavares.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2896 8195 2896 8166 2904 8166 2909 8108
2860 8172 2857 8195
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 257DEG 42KT 2889 8178 2859 8217
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HeilSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
233 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ041-141-021900-
Coastal Volusia FL-Inland Volusia FL-
233 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN VOLUSIA COUNTY
THROUGH 300 PM EDT...
At 232 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Daytona International Speedway, or over Daytona Beach, moving east at
35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and South
Daytona.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2908 8089 2904 8112 2920 8130 2926 8124
2927 8115 2935 8115 2936 8103
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 266DEG 29KT 2919 8107
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SedlockSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
238 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ247-347-447-547-647-747-021915-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands FL-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands FL-Mainland Northern Brevard FL-
Inland Southern Brevard FL-Mainland Southern Brevard FL-
Inland Northern Brevard FL-
238 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL BREVARD COUNTY THROUGH
315 PM EDT...
At 238 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cape Canaveral, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Titusville, Rockledge, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, and Cape Canaveral.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2839 8057 2828 8056 2825 8086 2835 8086
2838 8089 2841 8088 2844 8090 2845 8089
2845 8090 2847 8090 2847 8087 2851 8088
2851 8091 2852 8091 2855 8092 2857 8054
2846 8049
TIME...MOT...LOC 1838Z 264DEG 27KT 2846 8066
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
SedlockSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
243 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
FLZ041-044>046-144-021915-
Northern Lake County FL-Orange FL-Seminole FL-Inland Volusia FL-
Southern Lake County FL-
243 PM EDT Sat May 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SEMINOLE...SOUTHERN LAKE...
WESTERN ORANGE AND SOUTH CENTRAL VOLUSIA COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM
EDT...
At 243 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms and
gusty outflow winds along a line extending from DeBary to near Lake
Apopka to Mascotte. Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Orlando, Deltona, Sanford, Apopka, and Altamonte Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for east central
Florida.
&&
LAT...LON 2872 8195 2873 8169 2893 8139 2883 8101
2856 8114 2835 8161 2835 8179 2836 8179
2836 8186 2835 8186 2835 8196
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 284DEG 35KT 2886 8134 2867 8161 2857 8190
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
HeilThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
USSF wind sensor on tower 0001 measured a peak wind gust of 51 knots from the northwest.
Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Skid Strip measured a peak wind gust of 51 knots from the west.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, May 2026
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: 1343311, 1343312.