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Cuba–Florida tornadoes of March 16–17, 1983

On March 16–17, 1983, a significant severe weather event affected the island of Cuba and the southern Florida peninsula, including the Miami metropolitan area. A total of at least four tornadoes affected these regions; while as many as 17 were reported in South Florida, only two were confirmed in the official National Weather Service records. The strongest tornado produced F2 damage on the Fujita scale and skipped across the Everglades region from the eastern Big Cypress National Preserve through the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area to Lighthouse Point—a path length of nearly 53 mi (85 km). An F1 tornado also affected Naples and Golden Gate. Additionally, unconfirmed tornadoes affected an RV park southeast of East Naples, as well as the Stuart and Jupiter areas, respectively. In addition to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter, as well as rainfall totals of 1 to 2 in (25 to 51 mm) in some areas.[nb 1][nb 2][nb 3]

Cuba–Florida tornadoes of March 16–17, 1983
DurationMarch 16–17, 1983
Highest winds
  • 98 mph (158 km/h) in Cuba on March 16
Tornadoes
confirmed
4 confirmed
Max. rating1F2 tornado
Largest hail1 in (2.5 cm) in South Florida on March 17
Fatalities1 fatality, 66 injuries (+1 non-tornadic)
Areas affectedCuba, South Florida
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

Background Edit

On Thursday, March 17, 1983, surface weather analysis indicated that a large and intense low-pressure area over the Gulf of Mexico was producing gale-force winds over the southern Florida peninsula. Above the surface, a strong low-level jet stream coupled with a large negative geopotential height—measuring standard deviations below normal—produced sufficient lifting and wind shear, both conditions conducive to severe weather. Due to the favorable conditions for severe weather, the National Weather Service office in Miami issued a tornado watch for South Florida, effective the morning of March 17. The watch was canceled at 9:30 a.m. EST (14:30 UTC), but then was reissued and extended to 5:00 p.m. (22:00 UTC) as more storms formed over the Everglades. Forecasters expected the low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico to bring a cold front across Florida on Friday, March 18.[13]

The tornadoes occurred during a strong occurrence of El Niño—a condition known to enhance severe weather over Florida.[14][15][16]

Confirmed tornadoes Edit

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
2 0 1 1 0 0 0 ≥ 4*
  • At least three unconfirmed tornadoes were reported, two of them in Martin County:
•A tornado reportedly affected the Hitching Post RV Travel Resort, near Naples Manor, causing $6,000 in damage to one trailer, tearing loose a carport from another, and felling trees and utility lines. Electricity was disrupted for four hours, leaving 300 residents powerless.[17]
•Another possible tornado about 8:20 a.m. (13:20 UTC) overturned a vehicle on the Bee-Line Highway north of Indiantown Road, west of Jupiter, injuring one woman. The person was transported to a hospital, where she was treated and released.[18]
•A third possible tornado touched down around 8:35 a.m. (13:35 UTC) in Stuart, damaging trees, downing branches, and destroying portions of tree trunks, along with a screened greenhouse. Florida Power and Light crews removed branches from electrical wires.[18]

March 16 event Edit

Confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, March 16, 1983[nb 4][nb 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary
FU Un­known (two tornadoes) Un­known Pinar del Río Un­known Un­known Un­known 1 death – Multiple tornadoes destroyed or damaged 467 structures. Up to 64 injuries occurred, yet losses were unknown.[20]

March 17 event Edit

Confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, March 17, 1983[nb 4][nb 5]
F# Location County / Parish State Start
coord.
Time (UTC) Path length Max. width Summary
F1 Naples to Golden Gate Collier FL 26°08′N 81°48′W / 26.13°N 81.80°W / 26.13; -81.80 (Naples (March 17, F1)) 12:15–? 7 miles (11 km) 40 yards (37 m) This tornado, the first of the day, touched down near Naples and moved northeast across the Naples airport, flipping a plane on its back. In Naples, the tornado also uprooted many trees. Next, the tornado tore the roof from a store in Golden Gate, blew an awning 600 ft (200 yd), snapped power poles, and downed wires. In Golden Gate, 1,800 residents lost electrical services for 40 minutes. After striking Golden Gate, the tornado apparently dissipated over rural, swampy areas. The touchdown may have occurred at 6:45 am, or more than one tornado was involved.[21][22][23][24]
F2 Trailtown to Lighthouse Point Collier, Dade, Broward FL 26°08′N 81°48′W / 26.13°N 81.80°W / 26.13; -81.80 (Trailtown (March 17, F2)) 12:49–? 52.5 miles (84.5 km) 60 yards (55 m) See section on this tornado – 2 people were injured.

Monroe Station–Sunrise–Lauderhill–North Lauderdale–Margate–Pompano Beach–Lighthouse Point, Florida Edit

Monroe Station–Sunrise–Lauderhill–North Lauderdale–Margate–Pompano Beach–Lighthouse Point, Florida
F2 tornado
Max. rating1F2 tornado
Fatalities2 injuries
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The second tornado of the day was a long-tracked tornado that was probably a family of up to five tornadoes. The tornado, or the first member of its family, touched down near Trailtown at about 7:49 a.m. local standard time, though it may have formed farther southwest in the Everglades, as one person reportedly sighted a tornado as early as 7:30 a.m. EST. Upon touching down, the tornado damaged two bungalows owned by Seminole Indians. One trailer was destroyed, and TJ's Service Station in Monroe Station lost its roof when the tornado crossed Tamiami Trail, about 20 mi (32 km) east of Ochopee. Phone service was disrupted at the service station, where losses were estimated near $30,000. Two vehicles, one of which was a refueling van, were overturned, injuring two people. Additionally, electrical wires were damaged, a car was hurled into a house, and a dumpster was thrown 50 ft (17 yd).

The tornado moved northeast at 50 mph (80 km/h) across the Everglades, entering northwest Dade County and then southwest Broward County. Subsequently, the tornado struck the communities of Sunrise, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Lighthouse Point. It first hit several homes and a recreation center in Sunrise, causing extensive damage. As it moved through Sunrise, the tornado downed power poles, wires, screen enclosures, trees, and mailboxes. Doors at the Sunrise city hall were blown open, allowing debris inside that covered the first floor of the building. Damage was widespread throughout the city, particularly along and near Oakland Park Boulevard (SR 816). At least three funnel clouds were reported in Sunrise, and at least one tornado touchdown was alleged. Windows were broken in hundreds of homes, while trees and power lines were prostrated. The mayor of the town of Sunrise, John Lomelo, declared a state of emergency in town, upon hearing of damage to city hall and across the city. Next, the tornado blew a porch from a home in Lauderhill. In North Lauderdale, the tornado damaged 30 to 40 homes in a four-block area, blowing awnings loose and uprooting trees. In Margate, the tornado affected the 600 and 700 blocks along SW 51st Avenue. A home was unroofed, another home lost most of its roof, and trees and power lines were downed. The tornado tore a bedroom door from its hinges, broke glass, and snapped a 40-foot-tall (12 m) Norfolk Island pine tree in half.

After hitting Margate, the tornado struck the Pompano Beach service plaza on Florida's Turnpike, overturning an 18-wheeler tractor trailer, uprooting trees, and blowing away signs. In this area, the tornado was estimated to have been 14 to 12 mi (0.40 to 0.80 km) wide. After hitting the service plaza, the tornado continued northeast to Golf View Estates, a mobile-home park north of Palm-Aire Country Club, damaging about 15 mobile homes, of which six to eight had major damage. Several mobile homes were unroofed. Near the intersection of Copans Road and Northeast Third Avenue, the tornado struck another mobile-home park, where its winds overturned a mobile home and moved another off its foundation. Trees in the park were snapped "like toothpicks," and a downed tree landed on a mobile home. Nearby, the tornado also broke glass in a two-story home. As it continued across north Pompano Beach, the tornado destroyed a satellite dish at a restaurant. The tornado continued northeast to Lighthouse Point, where a department store on Federal Highway had its roof damaged. Flying debris from the store also damaged nearby apartments. Nearby, windows were shattered in a public library, and a supermarket delivery truck carrying frozen food was overturned. The Lighthouse Point section of the path was described as having been being done by a separate tornado.

The Everglades–Lighthouse Point tornado featured the second-longest path recorded south of Lake Okeechobee; only one tornado in 1968 featured a longer path of 65 mi (105 km) in southern Florida.[25]

Non-tornadic effects Edit

In Cuba, severe thunderstorms generated winds of 98 mph (158 km/h) at Varadero Airport on March 16. 12-to-15-foot-high (3.7 to 4.6 m) waves ravaged the Malecón in Havana, leading to flooding whose effects were described as "'unprecedented'." The combination of weather and tide wrecked 124 homes in Cuba. A day later, unusually cool temperatures in the upper levels of the atmosphere contributed to large hail in portions of South Florida, including the Miami area. Hail of 34 to 1 in (1.9 to 2.5 cm) in diameter was reported in Dade County—an unusually large size for hail in South Florida. In Miami Beach, hail larger than marble size fell, causing cuts and bruises to one person, who was treated for minor injuries. Up to 2 in (51 mm) of rain fell in Miami, while Fort Lauderdale received 1 in (25 mm). The heavy rains caused traffic congestion, and several accidents occurred. Severe winds were also reported elsewhere in the state, particularly near Daytona Beach. In Broward County, the strong winds downed live power lines and smashed cars' windows.[26]

See also Edit

Notes Edit

  1. ^ An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes with no more than a six-hour gap between individual tornadoes; however, the threshold varies slightly according to local climatology. On the Florida peninsula, an outbreak consists of at least four tornadoes occurring relatively synchronously—no more than four hours apart.[1][2][3][4][2]
  2. ^ The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.[5][6] While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,[7] Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;[8] nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.[9]
  3. ^ Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.[10] Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.[11] Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.[12]
  4. ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.
  5. ^ a b Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.[19]

References Edit

  1. ^ Hagemeyer 1997, p. 400.
  2. ^ a b Grazulis 2001a, p. 206.
  3. ^ Hagemeyer 1997, p. 401.
  4. ^ Hagemeyer, Bartlett C.; Spratt, Scott M. (2002). Written at Melbourne, Florida. (PDF). 25th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology. San Diego, California: American Meteorological Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  5. ^ Grazulis 1993, p. 141.
  6. ^ Grazulis 2001a, p. 131.
  7. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage". The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC). Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  8. ^ . Environment and Climate Change Canada. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  9. ^ . Tornado and Storm Research Organisation. 2016. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  10. ^ Grazulis 2001a, pp. 251–4.
  11. ^ Edwards, Roger (March 5, 2015). "The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)". Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  12. ^ Cook & Schaefer 2008, p. 3135.
  13. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida". Miami Herald (Final ed.). Miami. p. 11A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • d'Oliveira, Stephen (March 16, 1983). "Broward: more rain". Fort Lauderdale News (Street ed.). Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • d'Oliveira, Stephen (March 16, 1983). "Warning: Keep a raincoat handy". Fort Lauderdale News (South Broward ed.). Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Frank, Ann; d'Oliveira, Stephen (March 17, 1983). "At least 4 tornadoes tear through county". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 7A
    • Staff (March 17, 1983). "Freak Storm Ravages Roofs, Tosses Mobile Homes". Naples Daily News. Vol. 60, no. 202 (Afternoon ed.). Naples, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 2A
  14. ^ Hagemeyer, Barlett C. (2000). Written at Melbourne, Florida. (PDF). 20th Conference on Severe Local Storms. Orlando, Florida: National Weather Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  15. ^ Hagemeyer, Barlett C. (1998). Written at Melbourne, Florida. (PDF). 19th Conference on Severe Local Storms. Minneapolis: National Weather Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  16. ^ National Weather Service. "Cold & Warm Episodes by Season". Climate Prediction Center. College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  17. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Curry, Chuck (March 18, 1983). "Collier Officials To Tour Storm Damage Sites". Naples Daily News. Vol. 60, no. 203. Naples, Florida. p. 4A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Leen, Jeff (March 18, 1983). "Tornados rip through three Collier County areas". Gulf Coast News. Miami Herald (Gulf ed.). Miami. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.  
  18. ^ a b Multiple sources:
    • Crankshaw, Joe (March 18, 1983). "Two twisters touch down, treetops fall". Martin News. Miami Herald (Martin ed.). Miami. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.  
    • "Tornadoes Strike South Florida; Fort Lauderdale Area Hit Hardest". Palm Beach Post. Vol. 75, no. 25 (South County ed.). West Palm Beach, Florida. March 18, 1983. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com.  
  19. ^ Brooks 2004, p. 310.
  20. ^ Written at Miami. "1 dead, 64 hurt in Cuban storm". Fort Lauderdale News (Final ed.). Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press. March 17, 1983. p. 5A – via Newspapers.com.  
  21. ^ Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000901
  22. ^ Storm Data 1983, p. 13.
  23. ^ Leen, Jeff (March 18, 1983). "Tornados rip through three Collier County areas". Gulf Coast News. Miami Herald (Gulf ed.). Miami. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.  
  24. ^ Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida". Miami Herald (Final ed.). Miami. p. 11A – via Newspapers.com.  
  25. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida". Miami Herald (Final ed.). Miami. p. 11A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Tornados roar over S. Florida". Miami Herald (First ed.). Miami. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 8A
    • Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Tornados sweep S. Florida". Miami Herald (Gulf ed.). Miami. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 11A
    • Brannigan, Martha (March 18, 1983). "Five cities hit by tornadoes". Gulf Coast News. South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Broward Metro Final ed.). Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 16A
    • Frank, Ann; d'Oliveira, Stephen (March 17, 1983). "At least 4 tornadoes tear through county". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 7A
    • Leen, Jeff (March 18, 1983). "Tornados rip through three Collier County areas". Gulf Coast News. Miami Herald (Gulf ed.). Miami. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Schulte, Fred (March 17, 1983). "Storm pummels block; winds flip tractor-trailer on its side". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 5A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Staff (March 17, 1983). "Freak Storm Ravages Roofs, Tosses Mobile Homes". Naples Daily News. Vol. 60, no. 202 (Afternoon ed.). Naples, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 2A
    • Storm Data 1983, p. 13
    • Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000902
    • Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000903
    • Storm Data Publication 1983, #10000905
  26. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Arnold, John (March 18, 1983). "Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida". Miami Herald (Final ed.). Miami. p. 11A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Frank, Ann; d'Oliveira, Stephen (March 17, 1983). "At least 4 tornadoes tear through county". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.  
      • p. 7A
    • "Many hurt, Havana flooded as storms rough up Cuba". Miami Herald (First ed.). Miami. March 19, 1983. p. 8A – via Newspapers.com.  
    • Storm Data 1983, p. 13

Sources Edit

cuba, florida, tornadoes, march, 1983, march, 1983, significant, severe, weather, event, affected, island, cuba, southern, florida, peninsula, including, miami, metropolitan, area, total, least, four, tornadoes, affected, these, regions, while, many, were, rep. On March 16 17 1983 a significant severe weather event affected the island of Cuba and the southern Florida peninsula including the Miami metropolitan area A total of at least four tornadoes affected these regions while as many as 17 were reported in South Florida only two were confirmed in the official National Weather Service records The strongest tornado produced F2 damage on the Fujita scale and skipped across the Everglades region from the eastern Big Cypress National Preserve through the Everglades and Francis S Taylor Wildlife Management Area to Lighthouse Point a path length of nearly 53 mi 85 km An F1 tornado also affected Naples and Golden Gate Additionally unconfirmed tornadoes affected an RV park southeast of East Naples as well as the Stuart and Jupiter areas respectively In addition to tornadoes severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1 in 2 5 cm in diameter as well as rainfall totals of 1 to 2 in 25 to 51 mm in some areas nb 1 nb 2 nb 3 Cuba Florida tornadoes of March 16 17 1983DurationMarch 16 17 1983Highest winds98 mph 158 km h in Cuba on March 16Tornadoesconfirmed4 confirmedMax rating1F2 tornadoLargest hail1 in 2 5 cm in South Florida on March 17Fatalities1 fatality 66 injuries 1 non tornadic Areas affectedCuba South Florida1Most severe tornado damage see Fujita scale Contents 1 Background 2 Confirmed tornadoes 2 1 March 16 event 2 2 March 17 event 2 3 Monroe Station Sunrise Lauderhill North Lauderdale Margate Pompano Beach Lighthouse Point Florida 3 Non tornadic effects 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 SourcesBackground EditOn Thursday March 17 1983 surface weather analysis indicated that a large and intense low pressure area over the Gulf of Mexico was producing gale force winds over the southern Florida peninsula Above the surface a strong low level jet stream coupled with a large negative geopotential height measuring standard deviations below normal produced sufficient lifting and wind shear both conditions conducive to severe weather Due to the favorable conditions for severe weather the National Weather Service office in Miami issued a tornado watch for South Florida effective the morning of March 17 The watch was canceled at 9 30 a m EST 14 30 UTC but then was reissued and extended to 5 00 p m 22 00 UTC as more storms formed over the Everglades Forecasters expected the low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico to bring a cold front across Florida on Friday March 18 13 The tornadoes occurred during a strong occurrence of El Nino a condition known to enhance severe weather over Florida 14 15 16 Confirmed tornadoes EditConfirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total2 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 At least three unconfirmed tornadoes were reported two of them in Martin County A tornado reportedly affected the Hitching Post RV Travel Resort near Naples Manor causing 6 000 in damage to one trailer tearing loose a carport from another and felling trees and utility lines Electricity was disrupted for four hours leaving 300 residents powerless 17 Another possible tornado about 8 20 a m 13 20 UTC overturned a vehicle on the Bee Line Highway north of Indiantown Road west of Jupiter injuring one woman The person was transported to a hospital where she was treated and released 18 A third possible tornado touched down around 8 35 a m 13 35 UTC in Stuart damaging trees downing branches and destroying portions of tree trunks along with a screened greenhouse Florida Power and Light crews removed branches from electrical wires 18 March 16 event Edit Confirmed tornadoes Wednesday March 16 1983 nb 4 nb 5 F Location County Parish State Time UTC Path length Max width SummaryFU Un known two tornadoes Un known Pinar del Rio Un known Un known Un known 1 death Multiple tornadoes destroyed or damaged 467 structures Up to 64 injuries occurred yet losses were unknown 20 March 17 event Edit Confirmed tornadoes Thursday March 17 1983 nb 4 nb 5 F Location County Parish State Startcoord Time UTC Path length Max width SummaryF1 Naples to Golden Gate Collier FL 26 08 N 81 48 W 26 13 N 81 80 W 26 13 81 80 Naples March 17 F1 12 15 7 miles 11 km 40 yards 37 m This tornado the first of the day touched down near Naples and moved northeast across the Naples airport flipping a plane on its back In Naples the tornado also uprooted many trees Next the tornado tore the roof from a store in Golden Gate blew an awning 600 ft 200 yd snapped power poles and downed wires In Golden Gate 1 800 residents lost electrical services for 40 minutes After striking Golden Gate the tornado apparently dissipated over rural swampy areas The touchdown may have occurred at 6 45 am or more than one tornado was involved 21 22 23 24 F2 Trailtown to Lighthouse Point Collier Dade Broward FL 26 08 N 81 48 W 26 13 N 81 80 W 26 13 81 80 Trailtown March 17 F2 12 49 52 5 miles 84 5 km 60 yards 55 m See section on this tornado 2 people were injured Monroe Station Sunrise Lauderhill North Lauderdale Margate Pompano Beach Lighthouse Point Florida Edit Monroe Station Sunrise Lauderhill North Lauderdale Margate Pompano Beach Lighthouse Point FloridaF2 tornadoMax rating1F2 tornadoFatalities2 injuries1Most severe tornado damage see Fujita scaleThe second tornado of the day was a long tracked tornado that was probably a family of up to five tornadoes The tornado or the first member of its family touched down near Trailtown at about 7 49 a m local standard time though it may have formed farther southwest in the Everglades as one person reportedly sighted a tornado as early as 7 30 a m EST Upon touching down the tornado damaged two bungalows owned by Seminole Indians One trailer was destroyed and TJ s Service Station in Monroe Station lost its roof when the tornado crossed Tamiami Trail about 20 mi 32 km east of Ochopee Phone service was disrupted at the service station where losses were estimated near 30 000 Two vehicles one of which was a refueling van were overturned injuring two people Additionally electrical wires were damaged a car was hurled into a house and a dumpster was thrown 50 ft 17 yd The tornado moved northeast at 50 mph 80 km h across the Everglades entering northwest Dade County and then southwest Broward County Subsequently the tornado struck the communities of Sunrise Lauderhill North Lauderdale Margate Pompano Beach and Lighthouse Point It first hit several homes and a recreation center in Sunrise causing extensive damage As it moved through Sunrise the tornado downed power poles wires screen enclosures trees and mailboxes Doors at the Sunrise city hall were blown open allowing debris inside that covered the first floor of the building Damage was widespread throughout the city particularly along and near Oakland Park Boulevard SR 816 At least three funnel clouds were reported in Sunrise and at least one tornado touchdown was alleged Windows were broken in hundreds of homes while trees and power lines were prostrated The mayor of the town of Sunrise John Lomelo declared a state of emergency in town upon hearing of damage to city hall and across the city Next the tornado blew a porch from a home in Lauderhill In North Lauderdale the tornado damaged 30 to 40 homes in a four block area blowing awnings loose and uprooting trees In Margate the tornado affected the 600 and 700 blocks along SW 51st Avenue A home was unroofed another home lost most of its roof and trees and power lines were downed The tornado tore a bedroom door from its hinges broke glass and snapped a 40 foot tall 12 m Norfolk Island pine tree in half After hitting Margate the tornado struck the Pompano Beach service plaza on Florida s Turnpike overturning an 18 wheeler tractor trailer uprooting trees and blowing away signs In this area the tornado was estimated to have been 1 4 to 1 2 mi 0 40 to 0 80 km wide After hitting the service plaza the tornado continued northeast to Golf View Estates a mobile home park north of Palm Aire Country Club damaging about 15 mobile homes of which six to eight had major damage Several mobile homes were unroofed Near the intersection of Copans Road and Northeast Third Avenue the tornado struck another mobile home park where its winds overturned a mobile home and moved another off its foundation Trees in the park were snapped like toothpicks and a downed tree landed on a mobile home Nearby the tornado also broke glass in a two story home As it continued across north Pompano Beach the tornado destroyed a satellite dish at a restaurant The tornado continued northeast to Lighthouse Point where a department store on Federal Highway had its roof damaged Flying debris from the store also damaged nearby apartments Nearby windows were shattered in a public library and a supermarket delivery truck carrying frozen food was overturned The Lighthouse Point section of the path was described as having been being done by a separate tornado The Everglades Lighthouse Point tornado featured the second longest path recorded south of Lake Okeechobee only one tornado in 1968 featured a longer path of 65 mi 105 km in southern Florida 25 Non tornadic effects EditIn Cuba severe thunderstorms generated winds of 98 mph 158 km h at Varadero Airport on March 16 12 to 15 foot high 3 7 to 4 6 m waves ravaged the Malecon in Havana leading to flooding whose effects were described as unprecedented The combination of weather and tide wrecked 124 homes in Cuba A day later unusually cool temperatures in the upper levels of the atmosphere contributed to large hail in portions of South Florida including the Miami area Hail of 3 4 to 1 in 1 9 to 2 5 cm in diameter was reported in Dade County an unusually large size for hail in South Florida In Miami Beach hail larger than marble size fell causing cuts and bruises to one person who was treated for minor injuries Up to 2 in 51 mm of rain fell in Miami while Fort Lauderdale received 1 in 25 mm The heavy rains caused traffic congestion and several accidents occurred Severe winds were also reported elsewhere in the state particularly near Daytona Beach In Broward County the strong winds downed live power lines and smashed cars windows 26 See also EditList of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaksNotes Edit An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes with no more than a six hour gap between individual tornadoes however the threshold varies slightly according to local climatology On the Florida peninsula an outbreak consists of at least four tornadoes occurring relatively synchronously no more than four hours apart 1 2 3 4 2 The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971 tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated 5 6 While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U S since February 1 2007 7 Canada used the old scale until April 1 2013 8 nations elsewhere like the United Kingdom apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale 9 Historically the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that as of 2001 only 53 of yearly U S tornadoes were officially recorded Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and in some cases to internal political controls on public information 10 Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life 11 Significant low biases in U S tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences 12 a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down however all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST CDT for consistency a b Prior to 1994 only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed 19 References Edit Hagemeyer 1997 p 400 a b Grazulis 2001a p 206 Hagemeyer 1997 p 401 Hagemeyer Bartlett C Spratt Scott M 2002 Written at Melbourne Florida Thirty Years After Hurricane Agnes the Forgotten Florida Tornado Disaster PDF 25th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology San Diego California American Meteorological Society Archived from the original PDF on October 16 2008 Retrieved November 24 2019 Grazulis 1993 p 141 Grazulis 2001a p 131 Edwards Roger March 5 2015 Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage The Online Tornado FAQ by Roger Edwards SPC Storm Prediction Center Retrieved February 25 2016 Enhanced Fujita Scale EF Scale Environment and Climate Change Canada June 6 2013 Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved February 25 2016 The International Tornado Intensity Scale Tornado and Storm Research Organisation 2016 Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved February 25 2016 Grazulis 2001a pp 251 4 Edwards Roger March 5 2015 The Online Tornado FAQ by Roger Edwards SPC Storm Prediction Center Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes Storm Prediction Center Retrieved February 25 2016 Cook amp Schaefer 2008 p 3135 Multiple sources Arnold John March 18 1983 Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida Miami Herald Final ed Miami p 11A via Newspapers com d Oliveira Stephen March 16 1983 Broward more rain Fort Lauderdale News Street ed Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com d Oliveira Stephen March 16 1983 Warning Keep a raincoat handy Fort Lauderdale News South Broward ed Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com Frank Ann d Oliveira Stephen March 17 1983 At least 4 tornadoes tear through county Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 7A Staff March 17 1983 Freak Storm Ravages Roofs Tosses Mobile Homes Naples Daily News Vol 60 no 202 Afternoon ed Naples Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 2A Hagemeyer Barlett C 2000 Written at Melbourne Florida Development of an index of storminess as a proxy for dry season severe weather in Florida and its relationship with ENSO PDF 20th Conference on Severe Local Storms Orlando Florida National Weather Service Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved October 7 2021 Hagemeyer Barlett C 1998 Written at Melbourne Florida Significant Extratropical Tornado Occurrences in Florida During Strong El Nino and Strong La Nina Events PDF 19th Conference on Severe Local Storms Minneapolis National Weather Service Archived from the original PDF on February 25 2014 Retrieved October 7 2021 National Weather Service Cold amp Warm Episodes by Season Climate Prediction Center College Park Maryland National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Retrieved September 23 2022 Multiple sources Curry Chuck March 18 1983 Collier Officials To Tour Storm Damage Sites Naples Daily News Vol 60 no 203 Naples Florida p 4A via Newspapers com Leen Jeff March 18 1983 Tornados rip through three Collier County areas Gulf Coast News Miami Herald Gulf ed Miami p 1C via Newspapers com a b Multiple sources Crankshaw Joe March 18 1983 Two twisters touch down treetops fall Martin News Miami Herald Martin ed Miami p 1C via Newspapers com Tornadoes Strike South Florida Fort Lauderdale Area Hit Hardest Palm Beach Post Vol 75 no 25 South County ed West Palm Beach Florida March 18 1983 p A1 via Newspapers com Brooks 2004 p 310 Written at Miami 1 dead 64 hurt in Cuban storm Fort Lauderdale News Final ed Fort Lauderdale Florida Associated Press March 17 1983 p 5A via Newspapers com Storm Data Publication 1983 10000901 Storm Data 1983 p 13 Leen Jeff March 18 1983 Tornados rip through three Collier County areas Gulf Coast News Miami Herald Gulf ed Miami p 1C via Newspapers com Arnold John March 18 1983 Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida Miami Herald Final ed Miami p 11A via Newspapers com Multiple sources Arnold John March 18 1983 Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida Miami Herald Final ed Miami p 11A via Newspapers com Arnold John March 18 1983 Tornados roar over S Florida Miami Herald First ed Miami p 1A via Newspapers com p 8A Arnold John March 18 1983 Tornados sweep S Florida Miami Herald Gulf ed Miami p 1A via Newspapers com p 11A Brannigan Martha March 18 1983 Five cities hit by tornadoes Gulf Coast News South Florida Sun Sentinel Broward Metro Final ed Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 16A Frank Ann d Oliveira Stephen March 17 1983 At least 4 tornadoes tear through county Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 7A Leen Jeff March 18 1983 Tornados rip through three Collier County areas Gulf Coast News Miami Herald Gulf ed Miami p 1C via Newspapers com Schulte Fred March 17 1983 Storm pummels block winds flip tractor trailer on its side Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale Florida p 5A via Newspapers com Staff March 17 1983 Freak Storm Ravages Roofs Tosses Mobile Homes Naples Daily News Vol 60 no 202 Afternoon ed Naples Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 2A Storm Data 1983 p 13 Storm Data Publication 1983 10000902 Storm Data Publication 1983 10000903 Storm Data Publication 1983 10000905 Multiple sources Arnold John March 18 1983 Thunderstorms disrupt power and snarl traffic in South Florida Miami Herald Final ed Miami p 11A via Newspapers com Frank Ann d Oliveira Stephen March 17 1983 At least 4 tornadoes tear through county Fort Lauderdale News Fort Lauderdale Florida p 1A via Newspapers com p 7A Many hurt Havana flooded as storms rough up Cuba Miami Herald First ed Miami March 19 1983 p 8A via Newspapers com Storm Data 1983 p 13Sources EditBrooks Harold E April 2004 On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity Weather and Forecasting Boston American Meteorological Society 19 2 310 19 Bibcode 2004WtFor 19 310B doi 10 1175 1520 0434 2004 019 lt 0310 OTROTP gt 2 0 CO 2 Cook A R Schaefer J T August 2008 Written at Norman Oklahoma The Relation of El Nino Southern Oscillation ENSO to Winter Tornado Outbreaks Monthly Weather Review Boston American Meteorological Society 136 8 3135 Bibcode 2008MWRv 136 3121C doi 10 1175 2007MWR2171 1 Grazulis Thomas P November 1990 Significant Tornadoes 1880 1989 Vol 2 St Johnsbury Vermont The Tornado Project of Environmental Films ISBN 1 879362 02 3 Grazulis Thomas P July 1993 Significant Tornadoes 1680 1991 A Chronology and Analysis of Events St Johnsbury Vermont The Tornado Project of Environmental Films ISBN 1 879362 03 1 Grazulis Thomas P 2001a The Tornado Nature s Ultimate Windstorm Norman University of Oklahoma Press ISBN 978 0 8061 3538 0 Grazulis Thomas P 2001b F5 F6 Tornadoes St Johnsbury Vermont The Tornado Project of Environmental Films Hagemeyer Bartlett C September 1997 Peninsular Florida Tornado Outbreaks Weather and Forecasting Boston American Meteorological Society 12 3 400 Bibcode 1997WtFor 12 399H doi 10 1175 1520 0434 1997 012 lt 0399 PFTO gt 2 0 CO 2 National Weather Service March 1983 Storm Data Publication Report National Centers for Environmental Information via Storm Events Database National Weather Service March 1983 Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena Storm Data Asheville North Carolina National Climatic Data Center 25 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cuba Florida tornadoes of March 16 17 1983 amp oldid 1165289277, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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