2010 - 2011

2010 ends with partly cloudy sky and near average temperatures. 2011 starts with patchy fog and haze followed by partly cloudy sky and a warm afternoon. - Jim

Cloudy

Mid and upper level clouds will be thinning and leaving tonight. I expect more sun and a continuation of the warming trend tomorrow. - Jim

Kicked out the cold

After enduring three arctic blasts this month...we have kicked out the cold with a much more mild start to the day. Lows are running on average 15 degrees warmer than those of yesterday morning! We have more warmth, but also more cloud cover due to an upper-level disturbance that will pass through the Southeast. More sunshine will be revealed for the second half of the afternoon as the disturbance moves east. Despite the increased cloud cover, high temperatures will reach to their warmest of the week with mid 70's this afternoon.

As a result of this December's frigid spells...morning lows fell into the 30's, 8 times in Ft. Myers! But we'll end the month on a warm note with highs near 80 degrees tomorrow.

Enjoy the warmth!
Lauren

Ahhhhhhh

The warm up has begun and I don't see any more extra cold air for at least the next 7 days and nights. Enjoy! - Jim

The cold continues...but not for much longer

It's another frigid, bone-chilling start to the day! Record lows were tied in both Ft. Myers and in Naples this morning! A low of 37 degrees in Ft. Myers tied the modern day record set in 1928 (there is a record of 24 degrees from 1894) and a low of 38 degrees in Naples tied the record low established in 1977. Widespread frost was again reported across the area as far west as Naples Park! WINK viewers also reported frost in Lehigh Acres, La Belle, and in Arcadia.

This morning is the last of the extra-cold mornings for the foreseeable future! A change in our surface wind flow to a southerly direction this afternoon will begin the warm-up and tomorrow we can leave the gloves and scarves behind as temperatures will not be nearly as cold with mid 50's along the coast to mid 40's inland.

Lauren

Cold again tonight! 20s inland 30s to the beaches! Big warm up starts tomorrow afternoon.

You will see frost tomorrow morning as many areas fall into the 20s and 30s. 20s east of Interstate 75, upper 30s west of US 41. This will be the last cold morning for at least ten days. Warmer weather begins to move in tomorrow afternoon. We should see temperatures back in the upper 60s and low 70s. Looks like low 80s by Saturday and Sunday!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Record Low

After a record low of 34 degrees this morning a gradual warm up has begun. Having said that......it will still be cold tonight with lows in the upper 30's with scattered frost. - Jim

One more extra-cold night tonight...

Keep the pets and plants where they are indoors, as one more bitterly cold night is ahead. Expect temperatures in the low 40's along the coast to upper 20's inland. Freeze Warnings are in effect for DeSoto, Highlands, Hendry and Glades counties tonight into 9am tomorrow morning. With the cold temperatures and a calm wind, widespread frost is again likely so have that ice scraper on hand for the car windshield tomorrow morning...and of course if you spot any frost, snap a picture and send it to weather@winktv.com!

And thanks to all of the WINK viewers that sent in the great photos of frost and ice this morning!

Lauren

Another arctic blast underway...

Teeth-chattering, record-breaking temperatures have returned to SWFL! This morning in Ft. Myers the temperature dropped to 34 degrees which breaks the record low of 36 degrees set back in 1977. Frost, heavy in some locations, has been reported by viewers in Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Rotonda West, La Belle, and Arcadia! Nearly all of our inland locations saw the mercury fall into the 20's this morning with the coldest of the cold reading in Palmdale at 21 degrees!

Stay warm,
Lauren

The Last Blast of 2010

If you remember we talked about how the Negative Arctic Oscillation was acting up two weeks ago. There is usually a two week lag from the Ocillation and the arrival of the cold air, so this post Christmas blast was expected. The good news (for warm weather fans) is that the AO may leave us alone for awhile. Tonight will be just about as cold as the last cold spell that delivered 33 degrees in Ft. Myers and 20's inland. - Jim

Here we go again...

Arctic blast number three of the season has arrived in SWFL! Temperatures this morning were downright cold dropping to 39 degrees in both Ft. Myers and in Naples with lows near 30 degrees reported inland including in La Belle, Alva and Lehigh Acres and tonight...is going to be even colder...on the order of 5-10 degrees!

A Freeze Warning is effect tonight until 9am tomorrow morning for all inland counties as well as all of Collier county, a Freeze Watch is effect tonight into tomorrow morning for Lee and Charlotte counties as overnight lows will drop into the mid to upper 20's east of I-75 with some isolated temperatures in the low 20's deep inland. Expect temperatures along the coast in the mid to upper 30's by early tomorrow morning.

The extremely cold temps in combination with a light wind will also be conducive to the development of areas of frost so have that ice scraper, that has already gotten an usual work-out this month, ready...again! And of course bring the potted plants indoors, cover outdoor sensitive vegetation, and bring Fido and Kitty inside today as temperatures will be falling fast after sunset this evening.

Temperatures have fallen into the 30's in Ft. Myers 6 times so far this month! The coldest morning of 33 degrees occurred on the 15th...a forecast low of 32 degrees tonight would be the coldest temperature of the season and would also destroy the record low of 36 degrees set in 1977.

Stay warm!
Lauren

Cities that may see a White Christmas!

Many folks across parts of the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and even the Southeast may see their dreams of a white Christmas come true! A far-southerly tracking area of low pressure may create a snowy scene in places which rarely experience a white Christmas such as Atlanta, GA which has only seen measurable snowfall on the holiday two times in history! Then last time the Christmas snow was white on the ground in Charlotte, NC was over 60 years ago! In 1947, 5.8 inches of snow fell on Charlotte, NC with the only other occurrences of a white Christmas in 1909 (0.2 inches) and 1880 (4 inches)!

White Christmas possible for:

-Chicago, IL
-Detroit, MI
-Indianapolis, IN
-Columbus, OH
-Pittsburgh, PA
-Charleston, WV
-Roanoke, VA
-Charlotte, NC
-Greenville, SC
-Nashville, TN
-Lexington, KY
-Atlanta, GA
-Huntsville, AL

Merry Christmas!
Lauren

Areas of fog across SWFL

We're experiencing a surge of warmth and surface moisture in advance of a dry cold front...the additional moisture is contributing to the development of areas of fog across SWFL this morning thus leading to reduced visibilities:

Current visibilities:

Ft. Myers: 6 miles

Punta Gorda: 5 miles

SWFL International: 7 miles

Naples: 9 miles

Local visibilities may drop below one mile over the next 2 hours especially inland. Be extra cautious when driving this morning!

Lauren

Weak cold front arriving in the morning. Some clouds and fog, then a sunny sky by the afternoon.

A weak front will bring us a mostly cloudy start to your Thursday! No rain expected with this, just slightly cooler weather behind. The next big cool down will be Sunday night after a stronger cold front moves through. This front will bring us rain Sunday morning, then windy weather by the afternoon. Overnight lows will fall into the 30's by Tuesday morning. Could see another freeze in our inland areas.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

A chilly start to the first day of winter

A crystal clear sky overnight made for perfect viewing weather of the total lunar eclipse! Though you definitely needed to bundle up to head out and witness the eclipse as temperatures dropped into the low to mid 40's across the area early this morning...and you still need that coat with a chilly start in progress for the first day of winter! The winter solstice will occur at 6:38pm this evening, officially ringing in the winter season...but despite the change in season ...highs will be warmer this afternoon into the low 70s, with mid 70s in store for tomorrow afternoon all under abundant sunshine.

Happy winter!
Lauren

Lunar eclipse tonight, clear and cold overnight, but warmer weather on the way!

Cold again overnight, but highs in the 70s for your Tuesday! Also look above, a lunar eclipse will take place tonight. Totality will be from 2:41am to 3:53am. This is the first time a lunar eclipse fell on the winter solstice since 1638. The winter solstice is at 6:38pm Tuesday. So tonight is the longest night of the year.

 

Plenty of sun through the week will warm us up into the upper 70s by Thursday and Friday.

 

Cold front arrives Christmas Day, chance of rain then.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Winter Solstice and Total Lunar Eclipse Come Hand-in-Hand This Year!

This year's winter solstice (official start to winter) will coincide with a total lunar eclipse...in a union that hasn't been seen in 456 years! Both the solstice and the lunar eclipse will occur tomorrow, Tuesday, the 21st though at different times of the day. You can't see the solstice...but it will occur at 6:38 pm tomorrow evening meaning that the winter season officially begins...winter solstice occurs when the Sun's most direct rays hit on a latitudinal position of the Earth known as the Tropic of Capricorn...it's basically the time of year when the sun's most direct rays are the farthest away from us!

Also happening tomorrow, or really late tonight, something we can see...a total lunar eclipse! A total lunar eclipse is when the Moon travels completely into the Earth's shadow, blocking the sun's rays from striking the Moon. The Moon does not completely disappear as it passes through the Earth's shadow because of refraction of sunlight through atmosphere...if the Earth had no atmosphere, the Moon would be completely dark during an eclipse. Instead, the Moon will appear dimmed and may take on a reddish hue due the scattering of sunlight by air molecules and atmospheric particles. A lunar eclipse can only occur when there is a full Moon. The eclipse will begin at 1:33 am when the Moon begins to enter the Earth's shadow. At 2:41 am, the Moon will become totally eclipsed and remain such until 3:53 am. The best time to view the total eclipse will be during the eclipse's midpoint which occurs at 3:17 am. The entire eclipse will then come to an end at 5:01 am...just in time for WINK News Now this morning!

Sky conditions across SWFL will be perfect for viewing the eclipse very early tomorrow morning with a crystal clear sky in the forecast...but you'll have to bundle up when heading out to take in the view with temperatures in the 40's and upper 30's inland...and if you brave the early hour and the chilly temps to view the total lunar eclipse...be sure to snap some pictures and send them to weather@winktv.com!

Hope to see some great pics of the eclipsed Moon!
Lauren

A chilly start, a cool afternoon

We need that jacket this morning with a chilly temperatures in the 40's to start to the work week! The cloud deck that remained in place overnight is eroding as drier air moves southbound. Clear sky conditions are presently being reported at Page Field in Ft. Myers, but overcast in Naples though over the next hour or two a clear sky will be revealed across Collier county as well...and bright sunshine is in store for all of SWFL for our Monday afternoon...high temperatures on the cool side, in the mid to upper 60's.

Have a great Monday!
Lauren

Happy weekend! More clouds tomorrow with some rain with the next cold front. Clearing Sunday! Not as cold behind this one.

The cold front arrives late Saturday into early Sunday! We will increase the clouds and the rain chances go up by the afternoon. I am not expecting a lot of rain with this one, on average .10" to .15". Highs will be in the upper 70's. Sunday we will start off with some fog and clouds, but clearing by the afternoon. Not as cold behind this one as temperatures do fall into the 40s by Monday morning. Warmer weather back on Tuesday!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Another Front

Milder tonight with lows in the 50's. Becoming cloudy tomorrow with a few showers. After the next cold front it will turn colder Sunday night. - Jim

A much more mild start to the day!

Temperatures this morning are running about 15 degrees warmer than those we felt yesterday morning...in the low 50s with mid 40s the chilliest numbers in areas inland. Some fog reported this morning, mainly east of I-75, but that fog will continue to dissipate over the next hour...otherwise look for bright sunshine to kick off the last day of the work week!

We continue to warm this afternoon into the mid to upper 70s! But if you're headed to the beach today, pack a sweat jacket, as a southwesterly wind this afternoon will push cooler air from over the 55 degree waters of the Gulf on-shore thus expect temps in the 60s at the coast later today.

Enjoy leaving the heavy winter coat at home!
Lauren

You need that heavy winter coat again this morning...

and maybe the ice scraper as well as frost is again being reported across parts of SWFL. Temperatures this morning are still very cold running from the mid 40s along the coast to just below the freezing mark in some inland locations...but it's not as frigid as yesterday morning as we're feeling about 5 degrees "warmer" than 24 hours ago. So far for the month of December, all of the morning lows in Ft. Myers have been below the average!

You can lose that heavy coat this afternoon, as a shift to a southerly wind flow and abundant sunshine will warm temperatures into the upper 60s to low 70s! And tonight, the cold snap breaks with overnight lows not nearly as cold with upper 50s along the coast to mid to upper 40s inland.

Enjoy the warmer temps this afternoon!
Lauren

Turning the corner

It will not be as cold tonight as it was this morning:

Low Temperatures This Morning:

Palmdale: 22 degrees

Lake Placid: 25 degrees

La Belle: 26 degrees

Alva: 27 degrees

Golden Gate: 27 degrees

Immokalee: 28 degrees

Punta Gorda: 28 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 29 degrees

Ft. Myers: 33 (ties record set in 1944)

Cape Coral: 34 degrees

Naples: 36 degrees

Afternoon temperatures should recover into the low 70s by Thursday afternoon. - Jim

Record-breaking, freezing cold this morning!

With lighter winds overnight, temperatures this morning were even colder...with a record-smashing 28 degrees in Punta Gorda this morning...the old record: 35 degrees! And the coldest point in SWFL...an unbelievable 22 degrees in Palmdale! Brrrrr!

Low Temperatures This Morning:

Palmdale: 22 degrees

Lake Placid: 25 degrees

La Belle: 26 degrees

Alva: 27 degrees

Golden Gate: 27 degrees

Immokalee: 28 degrees

Punta Gorda: 28 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 29 degrees

Ft. Myers: 33 (ties record set in 1944)

Cape Coral: 34 degrees

Naples: 36 degrees


Feeling better this afternoon...still below-average, but warmer than yesterday afternoon, with highs today in the upper 50's to low 60's under abundant sunshine. Lighter afternoon winds will help us feel warmer as well.

Have a great day!
Lauren

Even colder this morning!

As anticipated, a light wind overnight has allowed temperatures to cool more efficiently than yesterday's when wind speeds were in the 10-15 mph range...as if it wasn't cold enough yesterday morning! Also watch for the development of frost this morning...and if you spot any frosty areas be sure to snap a picture and send to us at weather@winktv.com!

Frigid current temperatures:

Palmdale: 23 degrees!

La Belle: 26 degrees

Golden Gate: 27 degrees

Alva: 27 degrees

Moore Haven: 28 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 29 degrees

Punta Gorda: 30 degrees (breaks record of 35 set in 2004)

Immokalee: 30 degrees

Ft. Myers: 34 degrees

Naples: 37 degrees


Bundle up!
Lauren

COLD! With the wind easing up tonight, frost in the forecast! Prepare again for below freezing temps!

Once again a cold night ahead. I am a little more worried about tonight. The air mass that has moved in today is very dry. Dewpoints are in the single digits, yesterday at this time dewpoints where in the 30s. This very dry air mass will cool off quickly as the sun sets. Hard freeze warnings in effect for inland areas and Charlotte county. Freeze warnings in effect to the coast. With the wind calming down overnight temperatures will drop to below freezing in many locations. Once we get below 38, frost will form in many locations too. The frost is what will do the most damage early in the morning. Best bet is to knock that frost off before the sun comes up to protect any plants. As the frost acts as a magnifying glass burning the leaves.

 

We do start a warming trend by Wednesday afternoon. Highs in the low 60s with another cold front Saturday. Not as cold behind this front.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

C Ya Weeds

Tonight will be a little colder in most areas. Since there will be less wind there should be more frost, even close to the coast. Tomorrow morning the Farrells will run the self cleaning oven for heat (why do it when its hot outside?) and I think I will NOT run my sprinklers tonight. I want the frost to kill my weeds. Sorry weeds, ya had a nice run. - Jim

Get ready for round two of bone-chilling temperatures plus frost likely tonight!

This morning, temperatures across SWFL dipped into the upper 20s in most locations inland, and ranged in the low to upper 30s near the coast...with wind chill values making it feel 5-8 degrees colder than the mercury reading reflected! The official low temperature at Page Field in Ft. Myers was 34 degrees. And this second cold blast of the season will continue to affect Southwest Florida tonight...

Where wind speeds made it feel colder last night, with a clear sky and relatively calm winds tonight, temperatures will drop to levels at or a few degrees below those we felt this morning. Freeze Warnings are again in effect for coastal communities with Hard Freezing Warnings in effect for inland communities. Temperatures in Ft. Myers will drop to near freezing with inland communities returning to the mid-upper 20s. 

Along with the freezing and sub-freezing temperatures tonight, the relaxing winds will cause a concern for the development of widespread frost.  Any unprotected tender vegetation could experience damage if not brought indoors or properly protected.

Stay warm...again!
Lauren

A frigid, teeth-chattering, record-breaking cold morning...

It is freezing in SWFL! And with northerly wind at 10-15 mph, wind chills values are making it feel 5-8 degrees colder than the current temperatures reflect! Thus a Wind Chill Warning remains in effect for all of SWFL until 10am. A Hard Freeze Warning remains in effect for all inland counties until 9am and a Freeze Warning for Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties until 9am.

Current temperatures:

Lake Placid: 26 degrees

Arcadia: 27 degrees

Palmdale: 27 degrees

La Belle: 27 degrees

Moore Haven: 27 degrees

Punta Gorda: 32 degrees (breaks record of 36 degrees set in 1969)

Alva: 32 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 32 degrees

Golden Gate: 33 degrees

Cape Coral: 35 degrees

Ft. Myers: 35 degrees

Naples: 38 degrees

Sanibel: 38 degrees


Be sure to bundle up,
Lauren

Cold air has arrived! 20s in many location inland, 30s to the coast! Freeze warnings in effect. Two nights like this!

Well the very cold air mass has arrived! Hard freeze warnings in effect for all inland areas (East of Interstate 75). Freeze warning to the coast, expection coastal Collier County. With that in mind, you will need to protect you plants and animals. Also have a wind chill warning for all of SWFL until 9am Tuesday morning.

 

The good news tonight is that the wind will stay up. That means no frost is in the forecast as the wind keeps the air moving. However, Wednesday morning the wind becomes calm, so frost will occur across much of SWFL. It may feel colder Tuesday morning, but Wednesday morning may cause the most damage to plants.

 

This extra cold weather will be here through Wednesday morning. Warmer weather will start Thursday afternoon as we make our way into the low 70s.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Ice is not Nice

A Freeze Warning and a Wind Chill Warning is in effect for SWFL tonight through tomorrow morning. Glades, Hendry and Highlands go one better, a Hard Freeze warning tonight. Get ready for two nights with low temperatures near 32 up and down US 41. Lots to say tonight at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. - Jim

Hard Freeze Warning

A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for all inland counties until 9am tomorrow morning. Temperatures will fall into the low to upper 20's tonight and persist into tomorrow morning.

Arctic air blasting into SWFL...even colder than last week's temps...

Another arctic air mass is plowing into SWFL and we'll feel the effects tonight as the coldest of the cold air this season will arrive. Overnight lows will dip below freezing in Ft. Myers with widespread 20's east of I-75! A Freeze Warning is in effect tonight until 9am tomorrow morning. A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for DeSoto and Highlands counties. A Wind Chill Warning is in effect for much of the area tonight until 10am tomorrow morning. The extremely cold temperatures tonight will threaten sensitive outdoor vegetation...be sure to move potted plants indoors and the vegetation that you cannot move, cover with cloth. And also be sure to BUNDLE UP! Wind chills late tonight into early tomorrow possible in the low 20's and even teens inland!

More on the brutally frigid weather coming up on WINK News Now @ 11am on 6TV.

Stay warm!!
Lauren

Finally warmer

After a very cold week, it is finally warmer right now. While it will be cold tonight, we should have even warmer weather by tomorrow afternoon. A new cold front arrives on Sunday with a shower or two. - Jim

No rain this morning...but still cold!

Much to our relief, we're waking up to a clear sky across SWFL this Friday morning...we've gotten rid of the rain but the chilly air is definitely still in place with temperatures in the mid 40's. Brrrr! So we're donning the heavy winter coat, the gloves and the hat as we have each morning this winter-y week as our average morning low from Monday through Thursday is a chilly 42 degrees! But we can lose the coat this afternoon as improvement is in store with highs in the upper 60's to 70 degrees under plentiful sunshine.

Still cool, but not as cold starting out on our Saturday with low 50's. Watch out for some areas of fog early but by mid morning and through the day we'll again see abundant sunshine and warming up even further into the mid 70s! If you want to get a walk or run in on Sunday...head out in the morning as the sky will be mostly sunny but clouds will increase into the afternoon with showers possible and windy conditions picking up as another cold front pushes into SWFL.

Have a great Friday!
Lauren

 

Rain in over and the clouds are clearing! Cold again tonight, but warmer weather on the way!

Yuck what a day! Highs only reached the upper 50's and the clouds took there time leaving us. We have .25" of rain on average early this morning and into the afternoon. Now that the clouds are clearing we will see temperatures drop to the middle to low 40s across the region.

 

Tomorrow with a sunny sky highs should work back into the upper 60s and low 70s. This warmer weather will last into the weekend. Sunday the breezy weather arrives ahead of the next cold front. We will see rain late Sunday into overnight Monday. Then cold weather again for Monday and Tuesday. But this time it will be just a two day cold snap.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Clearing, cold tonight

The rain is moving away after we received about .25" on average. Next up, clear sky tonight and very cold by morning as temperatures drop to the 40's. Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday afternoons should feature highs in the 70's, but it won't last as colder air returns Sunday night. - Jim

Cold...and it's raining!

Our morning weather makes you want to stay in bed and pull the covers back over your head...no temps in the 30's but we're in the chilly 40's and it's raining! Areas of light continue to move across SWFL this morning...the rainfall intensity will remain on the light side as much of the rain is evaporating before reaching the surface as it encounters this very dry air mass in place. But the light rain and the cold temps are certainly a recipe for misery this morning...the rain will come to an end by early afternoon with a clearing sky thereafter. Highs today still very cool only near 60 degrees and we'll be cold again tonight...mid 40's but no rain just a mainly clear sky. And Friday will be a much more pleasant day with mostly sunny conditions and highs into the low 70's!

Highest rainfall totals thus far:

Ft. Myers (WINK): .21"

Pine Island: .19"

Punta Gorda: .18"

San Carlos Park: .18"

Cape Coral: .16"

Sanibel: .10"

Stay warm...and dry!
Lauren

Coldest behind us, for now....

It will not be quite as cold tonight, although lows in the 40's still is cold to us. Looks like you will wake up to clouds and a possible shower as an upper air disturbance crosses over SW Florida. I don't expect much rain and some spots will not get any. The weekend actually looks warmer, highs in the 70's. Beyond the weekend, it gets real cold again by Monday night. - Jim

Cool afternoon, still chilly but not as cold tonight

It was a literally frosty cold start to the day with many places across SWFL reporting frost on cars and grassy areas this morning as overnight lows fell to record levels in the 20's and 30's for a second day in a row! High temperatures will warm into the 60's later this afternoon, slighter warmer, but still 15 degrees below the average. Tonight, increasing clouds in advance of an upper level disturbance will help hold temperatures up...we'll still feel chilly but not nearly as cold with lows in the mid 40's. A few showers are possible late tonight through the first part of the day tomorrow due to the disturbance and an area of low pressure passing to our west.

Have a great day!
Lauren

Current temperature update

Palmdale: 27 degrees

Lake Placid: 29 degrees

Alva: 30 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 32 degrees

Punta Gorda: 32 degrees

Arcadia: 32 degrees

Immokalee: 33 degrees

Golden Gate: 35 degrees

Cape Coral: 38 degrees

Ft. Myers: 39 degrees

Naples: 39 degrees (breaks record of 42 degrees)

*Frost being reported in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Lehigh Acres, and NE Cape Coral


-Lauren

It's another cold, frigid, freezing start to the day!

Feeling the effects as an arctic air mass remains in place across SWFL with another round of brutally cold temperatures this morning...and with lighter winds, lows will drop near to or a degree colder than yesterday's! The lighter winds will also be more conducive to the development of frost especially inland. If you do spot any frost, be sure to snap a picture and send it to weather@winktv.com!

Some Current Temperatures:

Lake Placid: 29 degrees

Alva: 30 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 31 degrees

Golden Gate: 31 degrees

Immokalee: 31 degrees

Arcadia: 32 degrees

Palmdale: 33 degrees

Punta Gorda: 35 degrees

Cape Coral: 39 degrees

Ft. Myers: 40 degrees

Naples: 42 degrees


Stay warm!
Lauren

Cold again tonight. You may see some frost in some wind protected areas.

The cold weather still grips SWFL. This morning we woke up to 38 in Fort Myers and 39 in Naples. Our inland areas started off in the low 30s, with frost being reported in La Belle and Port Charlotte. Highs today onlt got into the upper 50s. Tomorrow morning much of the same with, but may even see lower temperatures as the wind will be calm in some locations. So with that in mind, expect scattered frost in many areas, mainly inland.

 

Rain is in the forecast too. An upper level low will puch through late Wednesday into Thursday morning. This will bring us, on average, .25" of rain. After this moves through, we will see temperatures warming up into the weekend. Low 70s for highs on saturday and sunday.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

A is for Arctic

It will be just as cold tonight as last night with the Arctic air mass firmly in place. That means upper 30's in Ft. Myers/Naples and sub freezing temperatures from Palmdale to Immokalee. A mini warm-up will begin tomorrow afternoon with a few showers Thursday morning. - Jim

Round 1 of frigid air done, round 2 in store tonight!

It was a frigid, record-breaking cold start to the day...

Notable Tuesday Morning Lows:

Palmdale: 22 degrees!

Lake Placid: 28 degrees

Alva: 31 degrees

La Belle: 32 degrees (breaks record, patchy frost reported)

Lehigh Acres: 32 degrees

Port Charlotte: 33 degrees (patchy frost reported)

Arcadia: 32 degrees

Punta Gorda: 38 degrees

Ft. Myers: 38 degrees

Cape Coral: 39 degrees

Naples: 39 degrees (breaks record)

And another round of extremely cold weather is in store for tonight! Temperatures will be similar to those we experienced this morning with widespread 30's and some upper 20's for parts of DeSoto, Highlands, and Glades counties. Patchy frost is possible especially inland as winds will be light overnight. A Freeze Warning is in effect again tonight for SWFL through 9am Wednesday morning. So keep Fido indoors, keep the potted plants inside and keep the outdoor sensitive vegetation covered with clothes. And be sure to bundle up when heading out tomorrow morning!

Please submit any frost reports to weather@winktv.com

Keep the gloves on hand!
Lauren

Current temperature update

Palmdale: 26 degrees

Lake Placid: 29 degrees

Alva: 31 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 31 degrees

Arcadia: 33 degrees

Punta Gorda: 33 degrees

Immokalee: 35 degrees

Golden Gate: 36 degrees

Naples: 39 degrees

Ft. Myers: 40 degrees


Be sure to bundle up!
Lauren

A frigid start, temps in the 20's and 30's!

Be sure to dress in layers this morning with a heavy winter coat, hat and gloves as you venture out into this arctic air. A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 10am this morning and a Freeze Warning until 9am...

Current Temperatures:

Palmdale: 27 degrees

Lake Placid: 29 degrees

Alva: 32 degrees

Arcadia: 33 degrees

Lehigh Acres: 33 degrees

Punta Gorda: 34 degrees

Immokalee: 35 degrees

Golden Gate: 35 degrees

Ft. Myers: 40 degrees

Naples: 42 degrees


Brrrrrrrrr!!!
Lauren

The Coldest of the Season

Temperatures are on track to end up in the 20s and 30's tonight through tomorrow morning. Upper 20s are likely around Arcadia and Palmdale, near freezing near LaBelle and Immokalle. It will NOT freeze in Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and westward. - Jim

2 Very Cold Nights

A Freeze Warning and a Wind CHill Advisory have been issued for tonight through tomorrow morning. Temperatures will drop to the lowest levels this season. Temperatures at or below freezing will be possible inland by morning. Temperatures along and west of US 41 should stay near to above freezing. This will be a very cold week. - Jim

A record cool day followed by a frigid, near-record cold night!

An arctic air mass has settled into SWFL and as a result high temperatures will struggle to warm this afternoon. A forecast high of 61 degrees in Ft. Myers today would break the record coolest high temperature for this date of 63 degrees set in 2003. Abundant sunshine will remain in place but a northerly wind at 15 mph with higher gusts will have us feeling chilly all through the day...

And for tonight, you'll need to break out all of the winter weather accessories in your closet with a near-record, frigid night ahead! A Freeze Warning is effect from 1am to 9am Tuesday morning as overnight lows will drop into mid to upper 30's across much of SWFL overnight with upper 20's possible for portions of DeSoto and Highlands counties including Arcadia and Lake Placid. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through 9am Tuesday morning for Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties as wind chill values may drop into the upper 20's and low 30's early Tuesday.

Be sure to bring your pets indoors and protect your outdoor cold weather sensitive plants!
Lauren

Current Wind Chill Update

Don't leave the house this morning without that winter coat and you'll likely need the hat and gloves as well as wind chill values have fallen into the 30's across much of the area!

Current Wind Chills:

Ft. Myers: 39 degrees!

Cape Coral: 39 degrees!

Punta Gorda: 34 degrees!

Naples: 44 degrees


Definitely bundle up!
Lauren

Arctic Air Mass Moving In

A cold front passed through SWFL early this morning opening the door to a very cold and dry arctic air mass. We're waking up chilly temps in the 40's with even colder wind chills!

Current wind chills:

Ft. Myers: 41 degrees

Cape Coral: 41 degrees

Punta Gorda: 37 degrees

Naples: 47 degrees

Bundle up!
Lauren

Another Cold Front

It will be clear and cold tonight, sunny and a little warmer tomorrow. Another cold front will arrive on Sunday, making Sunday the cloudier of the two weekend days. Next week is shaping up to be even colder. - Jim

BRRRR!! cold again tonight.. How about 3 to 4 degrees colder!

Now that with breeze is calming down overnight that will allow temperatures to fall even farther than last night. On average, lows will be in the upper 30s and low 40s. The afternoon should feel a bit warmer as we approach the low 70s. Another cold front arrives Sunday morning with a few clouds, no rain. This will bring in another round of cold weather for next week. Could break a record next Thursday morning as we forecast 40. The record is 43 that night in Fort Myers.

 

Details on WINK and join me at 7!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Colder tonight

We started off at 44 degrees this morning and it should be even colder tonight with lows closer to 40 degrees! A little warmer by tomorrow afternoon with highs closer to 70 degrees. Temperatures will continue to run below average for the next week - Jim

The cold air is here to stay. How about below average for 7 days??

The cold front has passed SWFL! I am sure you can tell when you walk outside. The wind is out of the north now ans it is bringing in very dry and cold weather in for the next few days.

 

As the front moved through this morning we had a little rain across the area. Tenth of an inch in Gateway and four hundrenth of and inch in Punta Gorda. Many location just picking up a trace of rain.

 

Overnight lows will be in the 40s. Some of you up north (DeSoto Co.) may see 39 degrees. But with plenty of sun it will make for a nicer afternoon. But highs only in the upper 60s d low 70s. This pattern will be with us for the next 7 days as the jet stream dips far south over Florida. So you can expect to see temperatures in the 40s overnight with afternoon highs in the low 70s. That is about 10 degrees below average!

 

Details on WINK and join me @7pm!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Colder tonight

It begins. This will be an extended cold snap. Temperatures will run below average for the next 7 days and nights. The next 3 mornings will be the coldest of the season....so far. Stay warm! - Jim

Wind Speeds Increasing

Breezy conditions have taken over in Charlotte and Lee counties in the wake of a cold front. A north wind at 20 mph is being reported in Ft. Myers, 18 mph at SWFL International Airport and 16 mph in Punta Gorda with higher gusts. Naples still reporting a light southwesterly wind but the wind will shift out of the north and speeds will increase dramatically once the front passes through Collier over the next hour. Breezy conditions will persist across SWFL through the day.

Hold on to your hat!
Lauren

Patchy Fog Reducing Visibilities

Patchy areas of fog are reducing local visibilities...SWFL International Airport now reporting visibilities of 1.25 miles

-Lauren

Showers Moving through the Area

A line of light to moderate precipitation is moving through parts of DeSoto, Charlotte and Lee counties. Showers will be around for the next few hours in advance of a cold front which will bring much cooler air, breezy and clearing conditions for the afternoon.

-Lauren

Get ready for cold air!! After the front passes tomorrow temps fall.. How much? Details on WINK!

The cold front is due to arrive before noon tomorrow. We could see a few showers as it moves through. We will start in the 70s but by the afternoon fall into the 60's with a clearing sky late in the day and windy conditions. Thursday morning we will start in the 40's in many locations. Plenty of sun into the weekend as well, as highs stay in the low 70's!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Colder Tomorrow Night

Here comes the cold front. It will Arrive tomorrow, December 1st. A few showers will be around through the early afternoon, then it will turn breezy and cooler. Happy last day of the 2010 hurricane season, btw. -Jim

Hurricane Season Officially Ends Today

Today marks the official end to the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season and the final numbers are nothing short of impressive and even more impressive is the fact, that despite high level of tropical activity, not a single hurricane made a direct hit on the United States coastline and the only tropical storm to make landfall was weak Tropical Storm Bonnie which came ashore south of Miami with winds of 40 mph.

An average hurricane season sees the development of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. For this year's 2010 season, 19 named storms formed with 12 becoming hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes. 2010 is now tied for 3rd for the most tropical storms to form in a season (tied with 1995 and 1887). Only the seasons of 1933 (21 named storms) and 2005 (28 named storms) were busier. 12 hurricanes formed this season and as I mentioned not one made a U.S. landfall...since 1900 there has not been a case of an Atlantic hurricane season with 10 or more hurricanes where none has hit the U.S.

Some other noteworthy occurrences of the season:

-Hurricane Alex with 100 mph winds was the strongest June hurricane to form since Alma in 1966
-Hurricane Earl which passed just east of the Outer Banks of NC, was the 4th strongest hurricane on record so far north
-Hurricane Igor caused $100 million in damage in Newfoundland, the most in it's history
-Hurricane Julia was the strongest to form so far east
-Hurricane Karl was the first major hurricane on record in the Gulf of Mexico's Bay of Campeche
-Hurricane Tomas was the deadliest of the 2010 season, killing 40 people in the Lesser Antilles

-Lauren

Another Mild Start, Some Patchy Fog

Temperatures starting off our Tuesday morning are running about 10 degrees above the average in the upper 60s. Patchy fog has formed across SWFL, but is not as dense or widespread as we experienced Monday morning...still use caution on your commute as locally reduced visibilities are likely especially inland.

Have a great morning!
Lauren

Watching a cold front that will change the weather by Thursday morning! how about temps in the 40s at night!

Cold front is still on track for moving into SWFL on Wednesday morning. Not alot of rain expected with this, maybe a .25" on average. The big story will be the break in the warm and humid weather we have been having the last few days. High temps on Wednesday will get into the low 70's then fall through the 60s in the afternoon and evening. Overnight Thursday, how about the 40's around the area. This weather will last into the weekend. Lots of sun and low humidity and temps in the middle to upper 70's.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Colder Coming

It is warm and humid, but that will change this week. Wednesday is the day! We start warm and end cold. Temperatures on Wednesday night will drop into the 40's. It is going to get cold. - Jim

Fog Dissipated, Warm Afternoon Ahead

The fog which greatly reduced visibilities across much of SWFL this morning has dissipated with sunshine now prevailing! A partly cloudy sky will develop this afternoon with warm and humid conditions in store. High temperatures today will more closely approach record levels than average levels, reaching into the mid 80s with heat index values in the upper 80s to 90 degrees.

Click on that A/C!
Lauren

Visibilities Drop Significantly in Naples

Visibilities in Naples have dropped from 8 miles last hour to now only 1 mile

Visibility Update

Widespread Fog Continues Across the Area...

Current visibilities:

Ft. Myers: 1 mile

Naples: 8 miles

SWFL International Airport: 2 miles

Punta Gorda: 1/4 mile

Areas of Fog This Morning

Widespread fog has formed across SWFL this morning...be sure to leave yourself extra driving time and utilize the low-beam headlights on your commute. Dense fog will affect especially inland areas where visibilities may be reduced to less than 1/4 of a mile.

Current visibilities:

Ft. Myers: 1 mile

Naples: 9 miles

SWFL International Airport: 1/2 mile

Punta Gorda: 1/4 mile


Drive safely!
Lauren

A Few Showers

A few showers will be possible today and tomorrow as a weak cold front settles into the area. I don't see any "cold" air until pssibly Wednesday night. - Jim

Brian: Partly cloudy today, highs in the low to mid 80's...

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Sunny  Warm; High 84  
Bonita Springs Mostly Sunny  Warm; High 84
Fort Myers Mostly Sunny  Warm; High 85
Cape Coral Mostly Sunny  Warm; High 85
Port Charlotte Mostly Sunny  Warm; High 83
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 83
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 82
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 82

 

Thanksgiving Day weekend will start with warm temperatures and dry weather on Thursday -- highs in the mid 80's. A little cooler the rest of the way, though, as a cold front approaches the area late Friday into Saturday. In fact, we could even see a few showers around the area by late afternoon on Friday lasting into Saturday. It will be less humid with a bit more sunshine on Sunday. Enjoy!

 

Brian

Brian: Some dense fog near Charlotte Harbor/inland SWFL this moring...

Good morning! Hazy and foggy sky this morning reported across southwest Florida with visibility below a mile as of 4 AM at Punta Gorda. The haze and fog will be especially prevalent in Charlotte and inland areas until about 9 this morning. Otherwise, partly cloudy this afternoon with highs in the low to mid 80's!

 

Brian

Clear sky tonight

Clear tonight, mostly sunny tomorrow. This pleasant weather pattern will only continue for another day or two. A weak cold front will come close by the weekend. I don't think "cold" air is coming, just a few more clouds and showers. - Jim

Brian: Fewer clouds this afternoon, still warm...

We'll still see more clouds inland than along the coast today but, overall, expect more sun today and continued warm temperatures. The clouds that we see today should not produce any rain; yesterday we saw a few isolated showers inland but not today.

 

For tomorrow into the end of the week, a cold front will slowly approach from the northwest leaving our weather mainly dry and partly cloudy. The next chance of rain arrives on Saturday with a weakening cold front. That front could stall across the area over the weekend, leaving low chances of rain and some extra clouds around both days, especially on Saturday.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy; High 81 
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy; High 81
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy; High 83
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy; High 82
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy; High 80
Hendry Co. Clouds & Sun; High 82
Glades Co. Clouds & Sun; High 82
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy; High 81

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Brian: High pressure to the east means clouds to the east today...

A low level flow out of the east will help guide low clouds in our direction over the next couple of days. In fact, we already start out with a partly cloudy sky inland, this morning, as well as some haze/fog to go along with it. Expect the easterly flow to continue today and allow for more clouds than sun inland today and more sun than clouds along the coast. In fact, there may be enough moisture around for a few sprinkles inland later today (there is already some rain over on the east coast this morning).

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 84 
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 83
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 83
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 83
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 81
Hendry Co. Clouds & Sun  Mainly Dry; High 80
Glades Co. Clouds & Sun  Mainly Dry; High 79
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  Warm; High 81

 

The steady east breeze will relax some by Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day, and well end up with fewer clouds and warm temps -- approaching the mid 80's. The next chance of rain moves into the forecast on Saturday with a weakening cold front that brings less humid air for the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Have a great Monday!

 

Brian

The weekend is looking great! startingoff in the upper 50s & low 60s, highs in the low 80s. SUN SUN SUN!!!

Cool and dry weather is here to stay into the weekend. Overnight temps will fall into the 50s in many places and high temps will get into the 80s. This weather will last through the begining of next week. By Wednesday, we will be watching the next front approach the area. Due to arrive Friday of next week. So by Wednesday, more humidity will come back and warmer temps as well. Thanksgiving day you can expect a partly cloudy day with highs in the mid 80's.

 

Enjoy the weekend.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Low Humidity

Mostly clear and dry here in SW Florida with the weak tropical disturbance to the south. With high pressure in charge, we will stay dry through the weekend. - Jim

Brian: Much cooler this morning, temps in the 50's.. near 80 this afternoon

Good Friday morning! Yesterday's weak cold front has finally cleared south of the area and we start this morning about 10 degrees cooler than yesterday in many spots. Temperatures range from near 60 right at the coast to the low 50's in Charlotte County and inland SWFL. There is a little bit of jet stream energy still overhead high up in the atmosphere, this is helping to produce some high clouds south of the Caloosahatchee and they will be in the sky off and on through about midday before the sky completely clears.

 

Clear and cool to start your weekend with lows again in the 50's. High pressure will move a little to the east which should allow an easterly to northeasterly flow to develop. With cooler air out over the Atlantic, I do think there's the chance we'll see a few more inland than coastal clouds each afternoon, but it still should be a nice weekend with highs near 80. Enjoy!

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  High Clouds  Breezy; High 81
Bonita Springs High Clouds  Breezy; High 79
Fort Myers Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 79
Cape Coral Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 78
Port Charlotte Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 77
Hendry Co. High Clouds  Breezy; High 79
Glades Co. Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 77
DeSoto Co. Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 78

 

Brian

Drier air finally punching into SWFL! The weekend is looking great! Details at 5 on WINK.

Well the cold front is finally making is way far enough south to allow the drier air to settle in. Fridays lows will fall into the 50's across the region with low humidity. Highs Friday should top out into the upper 70's and a few low 80's. This dry weather will last into the weekend. As we start next week, a little warming trend will take place. Humidity will slowly increase into your turkey day as well. Enjoy! Details starting at 5 on WINK, and join me at 7 on WINK.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Let me be clear about this

After a foggy morning, clearing will develop this evening as temperatures dip to lower levels by morning. Now that the drier air is moving in, we should have a less humid, sunny Friday. - Jim

Brian: Foggy start to the morning...

The weak cold front is moving across SWFL this morning and with it is quite a bit of low cloudiness and fog. In fact, as of 4 AM, most stations were reporting 5 mile or less visibility -- with Naples at just 1/2 mile. Watch out for thickening fog over the next couple of hours with a clearing trend for the afternoon as the front moves away. More coming up at 5 on WINK!

 

Brian

Some fog tonight

Variable clouds today with some fog and haze tonight. Clearing will occur tomorrow as the drier air settles in. Cooler nights begin on Thursday. - Jim

Brian: Some areas of dense fog this morning Charlotte County & Inland SWFL...

Good morning! Visibilities are dropping this morning around Charlotte Harbor east to the Lake, where in fog Okeechobee is reporting a visibility of just 2 miles. Ahead of this afternoon's cold front, expect areas of haze and fog to linger past sunrise from Charlotte County east into DeSoto, Highlands, Glades, and Hendry Counties.

 

The cold front will come through mainly dry late today and tonight, with just a stray shower or two possible (and probably not even that!). We'll start tomorrow with some clouds, but the sky will clear by the afternoon with lowering humidity.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy  Humid; High 81 
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy  Humid; High 81
Fort Myers Sun & Clouds  Mainly Dry; High 83
Cape Coral Sun & Clouds  Mainly Dry; High 82
Port Charlotte Sun & Clouds  Mainly Dry; High 80
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  Humid; High 83
Glades Co. Sun & Clouds  Mainly Dry; High 82
DeSoto Co. Sun & Clouds  Mainly Dry; High 81

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Brian: Cold front moving through Orlando & Tampa this morning... some clouds, not much rain...

 

Watching a weak cold front to our north that will arrive here tomorrow. Weekend is looking great! Details @5 on WINK!

A weak cold front arrives tomorrow. Might see a few light rain areas but I really think that most of us will remain dry. The cold front will stall out over us though most of the day. The better chance of rain will stay to the north of Fort Myers. Some fog will develop Wednesday and Thursday morning as well. We will see a a bigger push from the north late Thursday, this will bring in drier air. So with that in mind, the weekend will see lows in the upper 50's and highs in the low 80's with a mostly sunny sky.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Weak Cold Front

Here comes a weak cold front. A few clouds and a shower will be possible tomorrow morning. Then it looks like we will have a light gulf breeze most of the day. The coolest air will wait until Thursday night. - Jim

Brian: A warmer and more humid start, cold front tomorrow...

A warmer and more humid day is in the forecast for your Tuesday with highs expected to reach the low to mid 80's. The humidity increased overnight so we are starting milder; some upper 50's inland otherwise we're in the 60's. A cold front arrives tomorrow, but by the time it gets here it should only bring with it some additional cloud cover. I don't expect much (if any) rain.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  PM Clouds  More Humid; High 82 
Bonita Springs PM Clouds  More Humid; High 82
Fort Myers PM Clouds  More Humid; High 83
Cape Coral PM Clouds  More Humid; High 82 
Port Charlotte PM Clouds  More Humid; High 80 
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  More Humid; High 83
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy  More Humid; High 82
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  More Humid; High 81

 

Brian

Warm then Clear

The disturbance in the tropics hasn't changed much and it should not have an effect on our weather. Clear tonight with some sunshine tomorrow as we await the arrival of a weak cold front late tomorrow. Cooler temperatures should be here by Friday. - Jim

Brian: A little more humid today, highs in the upper 70's and low 80's...

Good morning! Quiet weather continues today with only a shift in the wind in the forecast. A more southerly breeze today will allow the humidity to creep up a bit, but we're still looking at a partly to mostly sunny sky this afternoon. Expect highs to run from the upper 70's right at the beaches to the low 80's just a bit farther inland.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Sunny; High 80  
Bonita Springs Mostly Sunny; High 80
Fort Myers Mostly Sunny; High 82
Cape Coral Mostly Sunny; High 81
Port Charlotte Mostly Sunny; High 79
Hendry Co. Mostly Sunny; High 81
Glades Co. Mostly Sunny; High 79
DeSoto Co. Mostly Sunny; High 78

 

A few more clouds will work into the mix for tomorrow and, by Wednesday, a weakening cold front could drop a couple of showers across the area. For the most part, though, this front will just bring some extra cloud cover on Wednesday.

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Warm Weekend

It looks like we will be able to enjoy a mostly sunny, warm weekend. Afternoon highs will be in the low 80's and it will not be quite as breezy. - Jim

Brian: Breezy with more clouds today, maybe an inland sprinkle or two...

A steady 5-10 mph northeast breeze out there this morning is helping to bring in a few clouds from the east coast and keep our temperatures a bit warmer than they've been over the past few days at this time of day. We start with temps in the low to mid 60's and we'll finish with highs close to 80 later this afternoon. Expect more clouds than sun east of I-75 with more sun than clouds closer to the coast. There even could be a stray shower out near the Lake today.

 

Otherwise, for the weekend, the breeze settles down and we end up with more sun as the weekend goes on. It's partly to mostly sunny on Saturday and mostly sunny on Sunday, with just a few high clouds around. Highs will be in the low 80's with AM lows in the upper 50's. Enjoy!

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 82 
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 80
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 80
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 80
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 79
Hendry Co. Clouds & Sun  Mainly Dry; High 78
Glades Co. Clouds & Sun  Mainly Dry; High 78
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 79

 

Brian

More clouds tomorrow and breezy at times. Wind up to 15 to 20 mph from the NE. How about the weekend?

A low pressure off the east coast is close enough now to send a stronger NE wind flow over the area. This will bring in a few more clouds and may even see a few showers on the east coast of Florida. Some of the showers may hold together to effect the lake. Once this wind weakens, back to mostly sunny weather for the weekend with lows in the upper 50's and highs in the low 80's.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

The low pressure off the east coast will help send a few clouds across the state and into SW Florida by Friday afternoon. The next cold front may not arrive until next Wednesday. - Jim

Brian: A few more clouds today...

The difference in pressure between a coastal storm in the Atlantic and strengthening high pressure along the eastern seaboard will allow the breeze to begin to pick up today. This northeast breeze should be able to send a few more clouds toward inland SWFL today, and toward the rest of the area for tomorrow. It's still pretty nice the next couple of days, but it won't be quite as sunny -- especially tomorrow. Highs today will be in the upper 70's near the Lake to the low 80's elsewhere; a little cooler tomorrow, though, especially near Lake O.

 

Enjoy!

 

Brian

Easy does it

A gradual warm up will continue. Veterans day will be very nice. There could be a few more clouds Friday afternoon. The tropics are quiet. - Jim

Brian: A Forecast As Simple As It Gets...

A record for my shortest blog post? Bright and sunny, high pressure nearby. A few more clouds by tomorrow. Enjoy!

 

For today:

 

Naples  Sunny; High 79
Bonita Springs Sunny; High 79
Fort Myers Sunny; High 80
Cape Coral Sunny; High 79
Port Charlotte Sunny; High 77
Hendry Co. Sunny; High 78
Glades Co. Sunny; High 77
DeSoto Co. Sunny; High 78

 

Brian

A Few Changes

Clear and cool again tonight, mostly sunny tomorrow and a very nice Veterans Day is on the way, then a few more clouds by Friday. - Jim

Brian: Sunny sky today, highs near 80...

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Sunny; High 79 
Bonita Springs Sunny; High 78
Fort Myers Sunny; High 79
Cape Coral Sunny; High 78
Port Charlotte Sunny; High 76
Hendry Co. Sunny; High 76
Glades Co. Sunny; High 76
DeSoto Co. Sunny; High 75

 

It should be essentially a cloud-free day!

 

Brian

Brian: Low 40's for some this morning!... near 80 this afternoon...

Good morning! It's actually cooler this morning to start in many places (especially inland) compared to yesterday. How can this be while the low and mid level temperatures in the atmosphere are warming up? Simple. High pressure is nearby this morning and the breeze is essentially calm (remember the last few nights it's been windy; that helps keep the temperatures up. As a result, we have temps in the 40's and low 50's all the way back to near the coast this morning.

 

A warmer finish, though, is in store today with lots of sunshine. Expect highs to get close to 80 degrees this afternoon.

 

Brian

Cool overnights still for the next few days, but the 80s are back! I am not talking about leg warmers and members only jackets.

A few more cool nights ahead, but the highs are going to climb back into the 80's starting tomorrow. High pressure is building in and the wind will come more out of east and southeast. This will warm us up each day.

 

Tropics are quiet and no development expected.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Wow Weather

A very nice week continues. Sunny days, cool nights and no rain for the next 5 days. - Jim

Brian: Chilly start again, 40's inland & 50's along the coast...

Good morning! It's another chilly start this morning with temperatures in some inland communities in the mid to upper 40's with 50's elsewhere. Strong high pressure remains in control and, while weakeng the next day or two, will still allow for some cool starts (but warmer finishes -- close to 80 by tomorrow and Wednesday).

 

The northeast flow around the high plus some chilly air over the Atlantic will help send some lower clouds in the direction of areas near Lake Okeechobee later this afternoon. By tomorrow, though, as the cool air modifies, there should be less in the way of inland cloud cover.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 77 
Bonita Springs Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 76
Fort Myers Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 76
Cape Coral Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 75
Port Charlotte Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 73
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 73
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy  Breezy; High 73
DeSoto Co. Mostly Sunny  Breezy; High 73

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

The Warm-up has begun

It is still pretty cool, but the warm-up has started. Looking for less wind and a little more heat each day this week. - Jim

Ok the chilly weather is settling in. Record cold start sunday am, 46. Record 47! Warmer by Wednesday!

The cooler weather has arrived! It will be with us through the weekend as overnight lows drop into the 40's. The record high low temperature on Saturday is 67, we are forecasting 66. The record low on Sunday is 47, we are forecasting 46. So we may be breaking some records this weekend. Plenty of sun will be with us but I think it will feel a little chilly for some of us.

 

The cooler weather will start to warm by Monday afternoon.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

PS. Bikers for Babies is this weekend. An escorted ride on Sunday from Naples to Ft. Myers, so please watch out for motorcycles on the road this weekend. There will be alot out there.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Record Cold By Sunday Morning

Clear, breezy and cold tonight. With a low near 46 degrees by the morning and 45 degrees by Sunday morning, temperatures may break the record low for Sunday morning. It will be sunny, but breezy and cooooool. - Jim

Brian: Cold front is through, wind gusting 30+ mph through a lot of SWFL...

The strong cold front moved through around 2-4 AM this morning through most of the area and is just clearing southern Collier County now. Behind the front, the wind has turned awfully gusty -- with a wind gust above 30 mph at 5 AM in Punta Gorda! As the dense cold air moves south, expect the wind to remain strong throughout the day to day and, even as we go into the weekend, the breeze will still be noticeable. Temperatures will fall over the next few hours through the 60's and into the 50's north of the Caloosahatchee, with 60's elsewhere. We may just barely make it into the low 70's this afternoon in Collier, otherwise expect highs in the 60's by mid afternoon!

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 72 
Bonita Springs Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 70
Fort Myers Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 69
Cape Coral Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 69
Port Charlotte Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 67
Hendry Co. Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 69
Glades Co. Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 67
DeSoto Co. Becoming Mostly Sunny  Windy; High 67

 

Even cooler air is on the way for the weekend, when we could set record temperatures both in the afternoon and in the morning! More on this later... Enjoy your Friday!

 

Brian

Brian: Tomas will be a hurricane again at 5 AM... 4 AM hurricane hunter report of 75 knot surface wind...

The storm is bringing heavy rain this morning to Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and western Haiti. The flooding could potentially be devastating in Haiti, where they are still recovering from January's earthquake (thousands of homeless living in tents now). The storm eventually will accelerate northeast as this morning's strong cold front here picks Tomas up this weekend and takes it out to sea.

 

Brian

Most the rain over with. A few left over showers moving thru. Get ready for cold weather this weekend. 40's in the overnight period.

Watching the cold front move through the area now. Looks like the front arrives about 4am Friday. So far we have seen a lot of rain in Charlotte County, over 7" in Englewood, Rotonda West 6.60" and Port Charlotte 5". Fort Myers getting about .70" and downtown Ft. Myers 1.43". Naples only getting .25".  On average we got about 1" across the area.

 

Behind the front we will see windy weather Friday as temperatures start in the upper 50's and low 60's but only get up to the upper 60's. It will be sunny, windy but cool. Saturday temperatures will start in the mid to upper 40's and only get to the mid 60's with windy weather too. Sunday we will break the record of 47 in Ft. Myers. We are forecasting 45 for a low. It will be sunny this weekend but don't be fooled, with the strong wind it will be a little chilly outside.

 

Warmer weather comes back Wednesday.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Wet then Windy

Here we go, the strong upper trough is in place to give us rainy conditions through the overnight period. A few areas can receive a months worth of rain. Starting tomorrow, a north wind will deliver much colder air. Gotta go find my WCSU sweatshirt. - Jim

Brian: 5"+ of rain reported at Rotonda West since last night...

New areas of heavy rain are just moving onshore near the Cape Haze peninsula. There is also now steadier rain falling in southern and eastern Collier for the first time this morning.

 

Brian

Brian: Heaviest/steadiest rain moving into eastern areas... esp. along US-27

The heaviest and steadiest of the rain is now pushing well east of I-75, especially lining up between Highlands County and Hendry County along US-27. There are still some pockets of rain near the coast, particularly near Bonita Springs this morning where heavy rain is falling as I write this (about 7 AM). There are also some new showers developing in the Gulf west of Charlotte and Lee that should have a chance to come onshore a little later this morning.

 

Brian

Brian: Rain just starting to move onshore in Collier, raining in Marco Island...

After missing out on the rain for much of the morning, the first showers of the day are moving across south Collier County -- affecting Marco Island as I write this. Another batch of moderate rain is falling now along and east of US-41 through Lee County and east of I-75 in Charlotte County. Heavy rain is also falling in DeSoto and Highlands Counties; this rain will move away from these areas over the next hour or so.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 83  
Bonita Springs Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 82
Fort Myers Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 81
Cape Coral Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 81
Port Charlotte Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 80
Hendry Co. Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 82
Glades Co. Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 81
DeSoto Co. Mostly Cloudy  Rain & Storms Likely; High 79

 

It won't rain all day in any town in southwest Florida, but the chance of rain and storms will be there throughout the day. In fact, as the upper level wind strengthens in advance of the cold front later today/tonight, it is possible we could see some stronger wind gusts in any storms that do develop.

 

Windy and much cooler for tomorrow with clouds rapidly clearing out during the morning. Highs tomorrow will be in the low 70's with temperatures staying in the 60's through the weekend! In fact, we could set a record low high temperature (or tie it) on Saturday and set/tie a record low temperature on Sunday morning (47 is the forecast low).

 

Brian

Brian: Line of briefly heavy rain moving through eastern Cape Haze.. headed for Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda...

We're catching a break right now, but a new batch of briefly heavy rain is about to cross Charlotte Harbor and move into Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Based on the look of it on radar, it is possible there could be a stronger wind gust or two by 6 AM with this line as it moves toward US 41.

 

Brian

Brian: Train of Rain Rolling over Cape Haze/north Charlotte County/Sarasota/DeSoto...

Southwest flow and southwest wind shear this morning is allowing a persistent band of showers and storms to affect the northern part of the Cape Haze peninsula northeast into DeSoto County this morning. Doppler radar is estimating that, just in the last hour, 1-3" of rain has fallen on a line from near Rotonda to west of Arcadia! Expect this band of heavy rain to remain over the area for at least the next hour or two.

 

Brian

Rain then Colder

Showers and thunderstorms will be possible Thursday, then it will get breezy and much cooler starting on Friday. - Jim

Brian: Starting drier, a little cooler this morning -- rain this afternoon...

Good morning! Wednesday is starting dry on our side of the state while, like Monday, there's some wet weather over on the east coast. As the upper level flow begins to turn more out of the southwest, we'll see more moisture returning to the area later today and this should help lead to scattered showers across the area later on today. With more sunshine for more of the day (especially early), I do think most places will be a degree or two warmer than on Election Day.

 

Strong low pressure is developing this morning across the western Gulf and this will head in our direction for tomorrow. Right now, it looks like we may see a round of rain both in the morning and in the afternoon; this would be good news as the morning rain might help prevent the atmosphere from destabilizing too much in the afternoon thus limiting the potential for organized stronger storms. I do think there's the chance of a few gusty storms as the cold front approaches Thursday evening/early Friday, but I don't expect any widespread strong storms at this point.

 

The coldest air since March will arrive during the day on Friday -- by the weekend, highs will only be in the low 70's with plenty of sunshine! Morning lows both Saturday and Sunday will be in the 40's for much of SWFL east of US-41.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 84 
Bonita Springs Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 84
Fort Myers Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 85
Cape Coral Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 85
Port Charlotte Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 84
Hendry Co. Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 84
Glades Co. Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 85
DeSoto Co. Increasing Clouds  Scattered Rain; High 84

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Cloudy with a few showers still expected through the rest of the evening. big cool down for the weekend still.

Still on track to see the coolest air of the season coming to SWFL. That will arrive Saturday morning. Overnight lows Saturday and Sunday will be down into the upper 40's and low 50's. Before the cool weather arrives, we will have some rain in the forecast, a better chance Thursday into Friday morning as the front passes. We could see some thunderstorms then with gusty wind.

 

Wednesday mostly cloudy with a few showers highs in the 80's

Thursday mostly cloudy with scattered rain and storms late. Highs in the low 80's

Friday rain ending and windy. Highs will struggle to get into the low 70's

Saturday mostly sunny but breezy. starting off in the 50's highs in the upper 60's and low 70's

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Scattered rain

Scattered rain will drift south to north this evening. We will be in and out of some rain until the next cold front comes through on Friday. It will get VERY cool, 40's and 50's Saturday and Sunday mornings! - jim

Brian: Discovery launch set for 3:52 pm tomorrow.. could be some clouds/rain showers nearby..

Most likely Discovery will be able to launch tomorrow (barring any mechanical/technical issues, of course!). Out ahead of the strong cold front, there could be some lower clouds around and maybe a light shower or two, so it might be touch and go for a little while tomorrow afternoon but at this point, I think the Discovery launch will be a go from a weather perspective!

 

Brian

Brian: A few light showers headed northward this morning...

Not as many pockets of heavy rain now as we approach 5:30; most of the rain is very much on the light side as it moves northward with a warm front that is draped just north of SWFL this morning. Expect isolated to scattered rain showers again this afternoon (especially north) with highs averaging in the mid 80's on Election Day. Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 87  
Bonita Springs Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
Fort Myers Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
Cape Coral Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
Port Charlotte Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 85
Hendry Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 87
Glades Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
DeSoto Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 85

 

We're more or less looking at the same weather story for tomorrow but changes arrive on Thursday as the strongest cold front of the season moves toward the area. Right now, I don't think the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms is especially high but it is possible, with such a powerful system nearby, that we could have some stronger wind in any of the storms that develop Thursday afternoon. A lot will depend on how much sun we see Thursday morning before the front gets here. Either way, the coolest air since March is headed our way for the weekend!

 

Brian

Brian: A wet start to election day for parts of SWFL...

Good morning! A few showers, with an embedded heavier area of rain or two, are moving through areas from Lee County north -- mainly concentrated along US-41 and I-75. Expect scattered showers to continue for the next few hours through most areas.

 

Brian

Rain inland now heading toward the coast. A big cool down on the way too. Details starting at 5 on WINK.

A trough of low pressure in digging in over Texas. This low will track across the Gulf the next few days. It arrives here in SWFL late Thursday and into Friday morning. We have some rain in the forecast for the next few days. A better chance on Thursday when the low and cold front pushes through. After the rain, the wind kicks up Friday afternoon and will bring in very cool weather starting Saturday morning. We could see lows in the upper 40's and low 50's then, highs in the 70's. A beautiful weekend ahead.

 

This same trough will keep Tomas well east of Florida

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Warm then Wet then Cool

Don't worry about Tomas, it is not coming here. How can it with strong high presure moving in later this week? The season's most noticable cold front may be here Friday. Until them, it will be warm witha few showers here and there. - Jim

Brian: Isolated showers in Collier & Hendry Counties... a few more near coast later today...

 

Brian: Driest October on Record in Punta Gorda, 9th Driest Fort Myers...

Records go back to 1966 in Punta Gorda (just a trace of rain in October 2010) and 1902 in Fort Myers (just .45" in October 2010)!

 

Brian

Brian: A few showers possible today, mainly south...

Good morning! After a very sunny Halloween weekend, we've got the chance of just a few isolated showers later today mainly along the Collier County coast. There is a bit of rain showing up on the radar this morning east of SR-29, but this likely is not reaching the ground as the air is still a bit too dry. Later today though, as more moisture returns from the southeast and the Gulf breeze kicks in, we should be able to squeeze out a few rain drops.

 

Election day should be mainly dry before the strongest cold front of the season begins to move toward southwest Florida Wednesday into Thursday. There is the possibility of a few stronger storms later Thursday as the front comes through before the coolest air since March arrives in time for the weekend. More on this as the week goes on!

 

First, today's forecast:

 

Naples  Sun & Clouds  Isolated PM Rain; High 87 
Bonita Springs Sun & Clouds  Isolated PM Rain; High 87
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy; High 88
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy; High 88
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy; High 86
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy; High 85
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy; High 84
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy; High 86

 

Have a great Monday!

 

Brian

Brian: Tomas a weakening tropical storm (for now)...

Good morning! Tomas, once a Category 2 storm in the eastern Caribbean, has weakened to a 50 mph tropical storm as of the 5 AM advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Right now, it is feeling the effects of some strong wind shear but it is possible it will restrengthen to nearly a hurricane by the time it approaches Hispanolia later this week. Tomas is not a threat, though, to southwest Florida as a strong cold front will head in our direction late this week blocking Tomas to the east. More coming up on WINK!

 

Brian

Cold front moving thru Tampa now. Less humidity will be with us on Saturday, but a few chages for your weekend forecast!

Weak cold front still expected to move through SWFL late tonight. We don't expect much in the way of rain as this slides through. A few changes for your saturday forecast. We are still confident that the drier air will make it into the region. With the front just stalling in south Florida and a NE wind flow aloft and at the surface, we still have some clouds in the forecast and may even see a shower in our inland areas. So don't be surprised if you see a few more clouds on Saturday. It does look like late Saturday and into Sunday the dry air reaches its peak. So that being said, warmer weather and more humidity returns starting early next week.

 

Halloween forecast looks dry with temperatures in the mid 70's for Tick or Treat.

 

Also watching T.S. Tomas near the windward and leeward islands. The 5 day forecast cone moves it into the Caribbean as a hurricane. The cold fronts moving into the eastern US should protect us from Tomas. Tomas will continue to move WNW until day 5 when the trough takes it to the north and then off to the NE.

 

Have a great weekend. See you at 7 and 10...

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Tomas formed, could become a hurricane- Jim

Sent from my iPhone

Nice Weekend

Shary will come close to Bermuda.
A cold front will be past later today, setting us up for a mostly sunny weekend. Relative humidity will be lower, too. - Jim

Brian: Cold front about to move into DeSoto/Sarasota Counties...

Our cold front (or more accurately, dewpoint front) is closing in on the northernmost reaches of southwest Florida at this hour. Out ahead of the front, we have a few clouds overhead but otherwise it's dry with the only shower activity out over either the Gulf or the Atlantic. This front should come through mainly dry through most of the area with the best chance of rain across Collier County a little later this afternoon.

 

The real difference will be in the humidity later today as the front comes south. Right now, dewpoints are still in the low 70's for us but across central Florida they've slipped to near 50 degrees! That drier air will move in by early this evening and sets the stage for beautiful weather for the Halloween weekend. Enjoy!

 

Brian

Brian: Cold front moving through C FL... might have 2 tropical systems by day's end...

A cold front is moving through central Florida this morning with drier air quickly filtering into the northern part of the state. It won't necessarily be a whole lot cooler behind this front (at least in the afternoon, mornings will be though this weekend), but much less humid air will move in later today and tonight. There might be a few showers with the front later this morning into the afternoon, but I wouldn't expect much!

 

Also, I'm tracking Tropical Storm Shary this morning south of Bermuda -- this one stays way out to sea. A very large tropical wave east of the Leeward Islands could become a depression as early as 5 AM; this one will move into the Caribbean and will be worth watching but should stay away from the United States.

 

More coming at 5 AM!

 

Brian

Not a Bomb

Nice shot of the thunderstorm over Lee County from a Charlotte County perspective from Dr. Huse. - Jim

Scott: Tied a record temp again in Ft. Myers today, 91 today so far. Record 91!! Lower humidity on the way.. This weekend.

Still watching a cold front that will move through tomorrow evening. You will feel a drop in humidity by Saturday morning. My only concern is that the front will not make it that far to the south, so warmer weather and more humidity returns quickly Monday. You might see a few showers Friday as the front pushes through.

 

Next week it is looking like a deep low forms over the northern gulf.  That might bring us a little more rain starting Tuesday and lasting until Friday. This is not a tropical low, but its an upper level low which can sometimes take its time spinning through.

 

A few areas in the tropics out in the Atlantic, but nothing to be conserned about.

 

See you at 7 on WINK for the details.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Not So Cold Front

The cold front is getting close to N. Florida now and should be moving through SW Florida tomorrow. It won't get cold, not even cool. Temperatures will return to near the long term average tomorrow through the weekend. - Jim

Brian: A few isolated showers inland SWFL right now.. a few more along Gulf breeze later...

I'm watching just a couple of light sprinkles and showers across parts of Glades, Hendry, and Collier Counties as we approach late morning; these showers are not amounting to much though. Expect a few more to develop along the Gulf breeze front later this afternoon with temperatures again approaching record highs (today's record is 91 in Fort Myers).

 

Brian

Brian: Highs near 90 degrees this afternoon, less humid this weekend...

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 88
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 90
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 90
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 90

 

A cold front will get here during the day tomorrow and the humidity will drop throughout the day. It's shaping up to be a really nice Halloween weekend with low humidity and seasonable (mid 80's/mid 60's) temperatures. Lots of sun to go along with the low humidity as well! Have a great Thursday!

 

Brian

Brian: Warm & humid this morning, some hazy/foggy spots...

High humidity and light wind are combining to help provide a little bit of fog and haze this morning, especially through Charlotte County and into inland SWFL. Expect some foggy spots to linger through 9 AM this morning before we end up with a partly cloudy sky this afternoon. Along the Gulf breeze later today, still a chance for a couple of showers to dot the radar screen but, like yesterday, don't count on seeing rain in your neighborhood. In fact, October is on pace to be one of the top 2 or 3 driest months of October on record in Fort Myers! More on this coming later plus the possibility of our first real "cool down" of the season coming for the middle of next week. See you at 5!

 

Brian

Shary?

This disturbance in the far eastern Atlantic (upper right corner area) has a chance to be come Tropical Storm Shary in the next day or two. If it forms, it is not coming here. For us another warm day is due, Thursday, then temperatures will run a little closer to average this weekend. - Jim

92 today, breaks old record of 90.

Sent from my iPhone

Scott: Still warm and humid until Friday! You want less humid weather.. Saturday it arrives..

Still watching a cold front moving through the deep south. Should arrive here Friday afternoon with a few showers too. We do expect a little cooler weather Saturday and Sunday, at least lower humidity. The front will not move to far to the south so we are expecting a quick return to warmer weather and more humidity by early next week.

 

Tropics are quiet close to home..

 

Details at 7 pm.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

The big northern storm is pushing east. That low over Lake Superior is the strongest of the season so far. For us, a cold front will just make it through SW Florida Friday. A couple of showers are possible until it does. - Jim

Brian: Near record highs today, cold front on Friday...

Good morning! Today's record high of 90, set in 2002, could be challenged this afternoon as warm, humid air continues to stream toward the area well south of the huge storm affecting the upper Mid-West. We'll also get a sea breeze to develop today and, with all of the humid air around, it is possible we could squeeze out a few showers today -- and tomorrow for that matter.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 90
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 90
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy  Isolated PM Rain; High 89
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 90
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 89
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 89

 

A cold front will move through on Friday morning with mainly just some clouds; in its wake, much less humid air will build in for the weekend although it will stay warm.

 

Have a great Wednesday!

 

Brian

Brian: Massive north-central US storm now bringing snow to Dakotas/Montana...

I'm back this morning after a few days off and -- wow! -- what an impressive storm that continues to spin along the US/Canadian border this morning. Low pressure is around 960 mb right now (remember, this storm has already set a record for the lowest pressure observed over the continental United States in a non-tropical cyclone) located just north of the border. As the massive storm works colder air into the US on its western side, snow is falling this morning across parts of the Dakotas (could be quite a bit of it by day's end!).

 

This storm is also having an interesting effect on flights across parts of the United States, with jet stream level wind in excess of 150 knots! I left Las Vegas last night at about 3 AM Eastern time and arrived in Atlanta just before 6 AM Eastern! That means a flight that usually takes around 4 hours was cut down by about an hour with a ripping tail wind from the west! I'd imagine flights headed west are having the opposite effect on them, depending on the route.

 

Brian

Scott: Warm & humid weather continues across SWFL until Friday! Windy storm to the north. Details at 7.

Near record temperatures today, Ft. Myers hit 90. The record was 91 today. Tomorrow we are going for a high of 90 which will tie the old record set back in 2002. This warm and humid weather will be with us until the cold front comes through Friday afternoon. A chance of a shower will stay with us also.

 

This cold front is in association with a big windy storm system to the north. Wind gusts in the low 60s have been reported earlier Tuesday. Behind the low in the dakotas, blizzard warnings are in effect. Temperatures dropped 20 degrees in 3 hours as the system moves into the great lakes. The cold front has been producing numerous tornadoes from Miss. to Ohio. This system will move into Canada Wednesday afternoon and conditions will be much better in the midwest then.  Cold front will not bring severe wather to us in SWFL. Just a few showers Friday and cooler and drier weather for the weekend.

 

Details at 7 on WINK.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Near the Record

Temperatures will continue about 5 degrees above the average for this time of the year. Near record high temperatures are likely through Thursday. Cooler air will move in Friday night. - jim

Warm and Humid

Warm, humid weather will continue until Friday, when the next cold front is due to arrive. - Jim

Weekend changes

Saturday will be partly cloudy with a NE breeze, but by Sunday dewpoints will start to rise, making for the beginning of more humid weather next week. Richard is not our problem. - Jim

Sunny Days

Looks like we will have sunny days, clear nights through Saturday. Starting on Sunday it will get more humid each day with a few more clouds as well. Tropical Storm Richard will not bother us for the next 5 days, after that we'll see where it is and what it looks like. Some of Richard could end up getting into the Gulf beyound day 5. - Jim

Weak cold front

The weak cold front is still due late tomorrow/early Friday. I expect a little more sunshine tomorrow and a lot of sunshine Friday and Saturday. The tropics may give birth to a Tropical Depression soon. There are no indications that it will be a problem for SW Florida, although some moisture could make for a few more clouds Sunday and Monday. - Jim

Brian: A few showers possible today...

We're starting the morning with a mix of clouds and clear sky this morning as an upper level disturbance moves overhead, well in advance of a cold front that will get here tonight/early tomorrow. The combination of the two has increased the low level moisture around the area (why we're starting near 70 this morning in many locations!). This should allow for a few isolated showers across the area, but overall, there won't be very much rain. Even with the clouds and slim rain chances in today's forecast, it will still be warm with highs well into the 80's.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 87 
Bonita Springs Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
Fort Myers Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 87
Cape Coral Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 86
Port Charlotte Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 85
Hendry Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 85
Glades Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 85
DeSoto Co. Clouds & Sun  Isolated Rain; High 84

 

Behind the front, it stays warm but it turns much less humid for tomorrow afternoon and through the start of your weekend. We may end up with some more clouds by Sunday and especially into early next week.

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Next Cold Front

The next cold front will be through by early Friday, so until then it will be a little cloudier with an isolated shower or two. The disturbance in the tropics isn't coming here. - Jim

Brian: Tropical disturbance in western Caribbean...

Just a fast update -- we're still watching a cluster of storms that's trying to organize itself now over the western Caribbean. Since yesterday, it has moved away from land and may have the opportunity over the next day or two to become better organized. Even if this happens, this system will not head toward southwest Florida as, by late this week, a strong area of high pressure will build in the upper levels over the southeast -- blocking this system to the south. More than likely, anything that develops will wander across the western Caribbean for a few days. We'll still keep an eye on it, though.

 

Brian

Brian: More clouds around today, a shower possible tomorrow...

It's been an unsually dry October so far, largely a result of the early end to the rainy season. Out ahead of a cold front and upper level disturbance, we do have some more clouds around this morning (this held our temps up into the 60's overnight) and those clouds will stick around this afternoon. If we get a shower out of this pattern, the best bet for that rain will come tomorrow as the upper level disturbance and front move by. Most neighborhoods, though, will stay dry!

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Partly Cloudy; High 86 
Bonita Springs Partly Cloudy; High 85
Fort Myers Partly Cloudy; High 85
Cape Coral Partly Cloudy; High 85
Port Charlotte Partly Cloudy; High 84
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy; High 83
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy; High 83
DeSoto Co. Partly Cloudy; High 83

 

Brian

A few more clouds

A few more clouds will arrive tomorrow, but temperatures will stay in the 60's at night and 80's by day. The tropics are quiet. - Jim

Brian: 50's inland, 60's at coast this morning...

Good morning! It's a chilly late October morning across inland SWFL this morning with temperatures in the 50's from Arcadia to LaBelle. Back to the coast, temperatures are in the 60's this morning. Expect a partly cloudy sky by the afternoon today and a touch more humidity in the air -- overall, though, still a pretty nice day. Highs will make it into the low to mid 80's through most of the area.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Sunny; High 85  
Bonita Springs Mostly Sunny; High 85
Fort Myers Mostly Sunny; High 84
Cape Coral Mostly Sunny; High 84
Port Charlotte Mostly Sunny; High 83
Hendry Co. Partly Cloudy; High 83
Glades Co. Partly Cloudy; High 82
DeSoto Co. Mostly Sunny; High 83

 

An upper level disturbance over the southern Plains right now will track east over the next couple of day and send more clouds in our direction for Tuesday and Wednesday. It will also be more humid and, by Wednesday, we may even see a few isolated showers around.

 

Have a great day!

 

Brian

Clear and Dry

It's here, drier air which means lower relative humidity, clear nights and sunny days this weekend. The tropics are quiet. - Jim

Still Cloudy

Paula has weakened, but is responsible for our clouds and showers. Clouds will leave tonight as the cold front arrives tomorrow. Get ready for 3 very sunny days. Nice pic from Peg in Charlotte county! - Jim

Paula Loses Punch

Paula will continue to weaken through the weekend. It is sending some clouds our way and more clouds will be around through tomorrow, then a new cold front arrives Friday morning. Cooler, drier weather will be here Friday night through the weekend. Lookin' nice by then. - Jim

Brian: A few showers over south Lee/north Collier this morning.. mostly cloudy today..

Tropical moisture well north of Paula is helping to create a few showers this morning across places like Bonita Springs, Naples Park and Immokalee this morning. Some of this rain has briefly been on the heavier side but predominantly we're dealing with light rain. Expect the pattern of showers occasionally moving in off of the Gulf to continue over the next couple of days before a cold front arrives late Thursday night/early Friday to sweep the moisture (and Paula) to the south.

 

Today's forecast:

 

Naples  Mostly Cloudy  Scattered Rain; High 84 
Bonita Springs Mostly Cloudy  Scattered Rain; High 85
Fort Myers Mostly Cloudy  Isolated Rain; High 86
Cape Coral Mostly Cloudy  Isolated Rain; High 86
Port Charlotte Mostly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 87
Hendry Co. Mostly Cloudy  Isolated Rain; High 86
Glades Co. Mostly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 86
DeSoto Co. Mostly Cloudy  Mainly Dry; High 85

 

Have a great Wednesday!

 

Brian

Brian: Category 2 (100 mph) Paula headed toward Yucatan Channel...

Some scattered showers are on the radar this morning south of the Caloosahatchee as tropical moisture works northward well in advance of Hurricane Paula. Paula is a little close for comfort, and we'll watch it closely the next 24 hours, but we still do not expect it to directly affect south Florida. Fortunately, the front moving into the southeast and its associated upper level trough are not very sharp and will not alter the steering flow enough to bring Paula on a more northeastward track over the next couple of days. New advisory will be in from NHC just before 5, we'll have it for you coming up on WINK!

 

Brian

Cloudy then Cooler

Paula will not come to SW Florida, but the tropical moisture north of Paula is streaming our way, so clouds and a shower or two is possible through Wednesday. Fast forward to Friday and you will find very clear, dry weather in place. - Jim

Brian: Paula remains a 75 mph Category 1 hurricane @ 11 AM...

Paula remains a minimal Category 1 hurricane and is a fairly compact system. We still do not expect Paula to really affect us here in southwest Florida. One of two things will happen: Paula will stall across the northwest Caribbean for several days as steering currents weaken or the cold front moving through south Florida late Thursday/early Friday will sweep the tropical moisture out into the Atlantic and away from us. Either way, we'll still watch Paula but we're not expecting it to be a problem for us!

 

Brian