Strong Thunderstorms Bring 50 MPH Gusts to Miami Area
The National Weather Service issued back-to-back alerts Wednesday as powerful storms swept through Miami, Hialeah, Doral, and Everglades National Park with gusts reaching 50 mph.
MIAMI, FLORIDA — Strong thunderstorms moved through the greater Miami area Wednesday afternoon, leading the National Weather Service in Miami to issue multiple Special Weather Statements. These warned of wind gusts up to 50 mph, which could down tree limbs and send unsecured objects airborne.
Storms Track Across Miami-Dade Communities
At 3:46 p.m. EDT, NWS Miami meteorologists identified a line of strong thunderstorms stretching from Doral to Kendale Lakes to near the intersection of Krome and Kendall Drive. Radar indicated these storms were nearly stationary at the time of the alert.
The affected communities in that first statement included Miami, Hialeah, Kendall, The Redland, Doral, Miami Springs, Sweetwater, West Miami, Medley, Westchester, Richmond West, Fountainbleau, Country Walk, Kendale Lakes, The Hammocks, Olympia Heights, West Kendall, Intersection Krome And Kendall Drive, Sunset, and Miami International Airport.
Second Storm Cell Targets Homestead Area
Less than an hour later, at 4:33 p.m. EDT, NWS Miami issued a second Special Weather Statement for a strong thunderstorm near Homestead General Airport. That storm was moving west at 5 mph, according to radar data.
Locations in the path of that storm included Homestead General Airport, The Redland, Royal Palm Ranger, and Everglades National Park. The same wind gust hazard of 45 to 50 mph applied to this cell as well.
What Residents Should Watch For
The National Weather Service warned that wind gusts in the 45 to 50 mph range can knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Residents and visitors in all affected areas were advised to secure loose outdoor items and stay indoors until the storms passed.
Both statements were issued by NWS Miami and based on radar-indicated data. No tornado warnings or flash flood emergencies were included in either alert at the time of issuance.
