The National Weather Service's Miami office put Clewiston, Harlem and Lake Harbor on alert Tuesday afternoon, issuing a Special Weather Statement that runs through 6:15 p.m. EDT. Forecasters say the strongest storm cores could toss out pea-size hail and punch out wind gusts near 55 mph, strong enough to send lawn chairs flying and snap small branches. Folks living and working along the Lake Okeechobee corridor are being urged to hunker down in sturdy buildings while the cells move through.
What the weather service says
According to NWS Miami, the advisory calls out Clewiston, Harlem and Lake Harbor by name and flags the potential for pea-size hail and gusts near 55 mph. The office's post urges residents to "seek shelter in a sturdy structure" until the storms pass. Meteorologists note the statement is short-fused because radar picked up intense cores marching into populated lakeside communities.
Why these storms form
Storms near Lake Okeechobee have a habit of ramping up in a hurry when sea-breeze and lake-breeze boundaries collide, squeezing lift and moisture into narrow bands that fire off strong, short-lived cells. Research and operational discussion of lake and sea-breeze dynamics help explain why those pulses so often bring brief hail and damaging gusts in Florida's wet season. See NOAA VLab for background.
Boaters and lakeside residents
Anyone on or near the lake should think twice about trying to ride this out on the water. Sudden gusts and hail can slash visibility and flip small craft. The National Weather Service in Miami and its marine products advise heading for safe harbor and tying down loose gear until the weather calms, according to NWS Miami. If you spot downed power lines or storm damage, keep your distance and report it to local authorities.
Stay informed
Short-fuse Special Weather Statements have been popping up all week as fast-moving cells sweep inland around Lake Okeechobee; coverage of how sudden storms trigger a special marine warning tracked similar alerts earlier in the week. For local notices and emergency instructions, check the Clewiston alert center and sign up for county notifications. Keep NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite alert app close in case the statements get upgraded to warnings.
