On March 16–17, 1983, a significant severe weather event affected the island of Cuba and the southern Florida peninsula, including the Miami metropolitan area.
A total of at least four tornadoes affected these regions; while as many as 17 were reported in South Florida, only two were confirmed in the official National Weather Service records.
In addition to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms produced hail to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter, as well as rainfall totals of 1 to 2 in (25 to 51 mm) in some areas.
Above the surface, a strong low-level jet stream coupled with a large negative geopotential height—measuring standard deviations below normal—produced sufficient lifting and wind shear, both conditions conducive to severe weather.
Forecasters expected the low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico to bring a cold front across Florida on Friday, March 18.
Subsequently, the tornado struck the communities of Sunrise, Lauderhill, North Lauderdale, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Lighthouse Point.
The tornado tore a bedroom door from its hinges, broke glass, and snapped a 40-foot-tall (12 m) Norfolk Island pine tree in half.
After hitting Margate, the tornado struck the Pompano Beach service plaza on Florida's Turnpike, overturning an 18-wheeler tractor trailer, uprooting trees, and blowing away signs.
Near the intersection of Copans Road and Northeast Third Avenue, the tornado struck another mobile-home park, where its winds overturned a mobile home and moved another off its foundation.
A day later, unusually cool temperatures in the upper levels of the atmosphere contributed to large hail in portions of South Florida, including the Miami area.
In Miami Beach, hail larger than marble size fell, causing cuts and bruises to one person, who was treated for minor injuries.