Severe Weather Alert - Sunday, May 17, 2026
BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — South Florida is in an active late-day storm pattern Sunday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing through the afternoon and into the evening. While the current severe thunderstorm warning is focused on northwest Collier County on the Gulf Coast, residents in Boca Raton and across the east coast should anticipate quick-hitting storms, lightning, and brief bursts of strong wind as cells pop up and move through before activity gradually tapers later tonight.
The National Weather Service in Miami said a severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 3:30 p.m. for northwestern Collier County.
At 3:09 p.m., radar indicated a severe storm near North Naples/Bonita Springs moving south around 5 mph, capable of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. Locations listed in the warning include Naples, Golden Gate Estates, Naples Park, Vineyards, Golden Gate, North Naples, East Naples, Pelican Bay, Quail Creek Estate, and the west toll gate on Alligator Alley.
For Boca Raton and the rest of the metro east coast, the broader forecast discussion calls for scattered thunderstorms again this afternoon and evening, with a low chance that one storm could briefly reach severe limits. Even storms that do not meet “severe” criteria can still produce dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, sudden downpours that reduce visibility on I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike, and isolated wind gusts that can knock down small branches or blow around unsecured outdoor items.
What to do: if thunder is heard, go indoors immediately and stay away from windows. Secure patio furniture, umbrellas, and loose items now, and be prepared for brief power flickers or outages if stronger wind gusts develop.
Important Information
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 3:30 PM EDT for northwestern Collier County (60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail).
- High risk of rip currents for the Palm Beaches through tonight; expanding across the rest of the east coast tomorrow morning.
Track the latest South Florida radar, warnings, and forecast updates from the National Weather Service and local officials as storms develop this afternoon and evening.
