Golf Ball-Size Hail Hits North County as Severe Storm Rolls Through

A fast-moving thunderstorm dropped hail across northern Palm Beach County on Friday evening, October 23, with some stones reported as large as golf balls.

The National Weather Service in Miami issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 6:27 p.m. for North Palm Beach, Lake Park and Juno Beach. The warning was set to run until 6:45 p.m., Hoodline reported. According to GovOneStop, the warned area also included Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Juno Ridge and Riviera Beach.

At the time, the storm was over North Palm Beach and moving north at 5 to 10 mph. Forecasters warned of golf ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph, and said the storm was capable of producing a tornado. Earlier in the afternoon, a special weather statement had called for nickel-sized hail and gusts of 45 to 50 mph.

What people saw

WPTV received reports of ping-pong-ball to golf-ball-sized hail from Riviera Beach, Lake Park and North Palm Beach. Videos sent to the station showed hail splashing into pools and bouncing off driveways. WPTV also reported about 4 inches of rain in the West Palm Beach area.

Neither outlet reported hail in Jupiter itself, and neither reported damage, injuries or power outages.

More rough weather ahead

The wet pattern continues this week. A coastal flood warning is in effect for coastal Palm Beach County from 2 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday during the king tides. Expect water on low roads near the Intracoastal and the Loxahatchee River at high tide, and avoid the ocean while rip currents are life-threatening.

Hail is fairly rare in South Florida because storms usually lack the cold air aloft needed to keep ice from melting on the way down. When a storm is strong enough to produce it, the National Weather Service asks people to report hail size and location, with a photo next to a coin or ruler if possible.