Mesocyclone-Induced Downbursts Associated with the Landfall of Hurricane Irene (1999) over South Florida

As the center of Hurricane Irene passed over South Florida on 15-16 Oct 1999, a series of damaging downbursts occurred in the vicinity of Lake Okeechobee in association with outer convective bands and eyewall convection in the northwest quadrant of Irene's wind field.

Ground-based Doppler radar data indicate that the strong wind gusts (26-43 m/s)were likely induced by mid-level mesocyclones associated with localized strong convective cells, and some of the more intense mesocyclones may have reached down to the surface as small tornadoes or "mini-swirls".