August 7, 2003
A rare August tornado formed over northern Palm Beach county late afternoon on August 7, 2003. Collision of the Lake Okeechobee and Atlantic seabreeze. The storm back built south from Jupiter toward West Palm Beach, eventually forming a line of severe weather all the way into Boca Raton. Initial reports from viewers started to arrive shortly after 5pm.
Jupiter Tornado
Tornado over Juno Pier (courtesy of Vince Kruger)
The first tornado developed over Loggerhead Plaza and Olympus in Jupiter, just south of Indiantown Road along US 1. First reports to the Storm Team were around 5:15pm. This tornado moved south to the Bluffs area and Marcinski Rd. It was rated as an F0 tornado by the NWS in Miami.
Path of Jupiter tornado
Damage in The Bluffs Of Jupiter
Palm Beach Gardens and Riviera Beach Tornado
The second tornado touched down around Northlake Blvd. and Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens, It moved south along Military Trail, crossing I95 and moving into Riviera Beach. It was reported by a trained weather spotter and a pilot around 5:25pm. It was rated as an F0 tornado, with two areas of damage consistent with F1 damage.
Weathervine Stormchasers Review of PB Tornadoes
NOAA Glossary for Severe Weather Spotters
