Weak cold front arrives tomorrow. Rain? Details on WINK now...

Looks like a few showers in the forecast tomorrow. I am watching a weak cold front that arrives tomorrow afternoon. I dont expect a lot of rain with this front. I am also not expecting a big temperature drop either. On average, you might see .10" of rain. Temperatures will remain average, lows in the upper 50s and highs in the lowupper 70s to low 80s. Details on WINK now..

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Warm Weather Continues Today

The beautiful weather streak continues with a mostly sunny sky, warm and breezy conditions this afternoon with high temperatures reaching into the 80's for the 12th day in a row! Changes are in the forecast though with the approach of cold front tomorrow, expect more clouds hanging around with a chance of a few showers for our Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Have a great afternoon and if you're headed to City of Palms Park to take in the Twins vs. the Red Sox at 1:05pm, don't forget the sunscreen!
Lauren

Any Change?

The warm and dry pattern will stick around as we head into the second half of the weekend with plenty of sunshine and temperatures holding in the low to mid 80s. Another cold front will march across the southern plains, sparking off another round of severe weather from the Arklatex to the Tennessee valley tomorrow afternoon. This system will lose much of its punch once it makes it down to Southwest Florida, bringing us only an increase in clouds and a slight chance for a few showers by Tuesday. It will take a slight edge off the heat, dropping daytime temperatures in the upper 70s and overnight lows in the mid to upper 50s by mid week.
-KM

A Great Start to the Weekend...

A mostly clear sky tonight will give way to some fog early Sunday morning with overnight lows dropping into the low 60s. Once the fog lifts, a mostly sunny sky will be in place throughout the afternoon hours along with highs in the low to mid 80s. A bit of a change comes by mid week with the approach of our next cold front.
-KM

Great weather weekend for you! Highs in the low 80s with plenty of sun. Enjoy! Details now on WINK.

After some morning clouds and fog, you sill see plenty of sun by the afternoon. Highs will get into the low 80s with overnight lows in the 60s for the weekend. The breeze will be much lighter Saturday and Sunday as well for you boaters. Next xhance of rain will be on Wednesday with a weak cold front approaching the area. Enjoy.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Dry Through Monday...

A cold front that brought severe weather across parts of the deep south last night continues to move in across the Florida panhandle. No worries though...this front will stay well off to the north and washout into the weekend. This means the overall dry weather pattern stays in place with a mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky through the afternoons. Temperatures will also remain in the low to mid 80s. The humidity will be kicked up a notch early next week with the approach of our next cold front. This front will spark off a few showers by mid week, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity by Thursday.
-KM

The 80's Return

The low cloud deck continues to erode away this morning, with a mostly sunny to partly cloudy afternoon in store. Winds will remain out of the south and become more onshore throughout the day keeping our coastal locations in the upper 70s, while most of us climb into the low to mid 80s. Low clouds and fog will be in the forecast once again as we kick off our Saturday morning with overnight lows dropping into the low 60s.
-KM

Good Looking Weekend

Visibilities at the surface much improved this morning, though a deck of low clouds has developed over the last 2 hours...but over the next 2 hours, those low clouds will be clearing on out making room for a lot of sunshine! Another great afternoon for our Friday, with mostly sunny to party cloudy conditions and warm high temperatures, running above the average, in the upper 70's to near 80 degrees at the beaches with low to mid 80's inland. And we'll keep the forecast on repeat for the weekend...some low clouds and fog early in the morning otherwise great beach weather with a mostly sunny sky and warm with highs in the low to mid 80's for both Saturday and Sunday!

Have a great weekend!
Lauren

Hazy

Hazy with some fog tonight toward early morning. Another warm afternoon is expected with highs in the 80's. Above average temperatures are likely through the weekend. A weak cold front should bring a few more clouds next week. - Jim

Discovery Launch

The weather is shaping up beautifully across the "Space Coast" this afternoon for the final launch of Discovery. A mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky will be in the forecast across our area, so perfect viewing conditions will take place as you look to the northeastern sky.
With low level moisture in place and very light winds tonight, expect low clouds and areas of fog to develop Friday morning. High pressure will keep us in a holding pattern through Friday with temperatures climbing into the low to mid 80s. A weak front will wash out to the north of us on Saturday, with rain free days continuing along with warmer than average temperatures.

Partly Cloudy & Warm

The low cloud deck will begin to break up as we go into the late morning hours, revealing a partly cloudy sky for the afternoon. Daytime highs will return into the low to mid 80s with a light breeze out of the east and southeast. High pressure remains in control, which means no major changes as we round out the work week.
-KM

Mid 80s today! repeat for tomorrow! Morning fog with afternoon sun.. Details on WINK!

Watching that morning fog once again for tomorrow.  This morning, Fort Myers airport reported dense fog, 9 hours of visibilities less than 1/4 mile. After the fog evaporated, lots of sun and highs in the low to middle 80s. The same scene for the next few days. Our next cold front will arrive next week. Looks like this one will stall over SWFL Tuesday and Wednesday. That will give us a chance of rain then. Until then enjoy.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Foggy Tonight

Get ready for another round of fog tonight with visibilities near zero in some areas. The fog will evaporate and we will have a mostly sunny afternoon. Warmer than average temperatures will continue through the weekend. Finally, a cold front may be near next Tuesday. - Jim

Foggy AM, Sunny PM

After a very foggy start to our Wednesday (Page Field in Ft. Myers reported a visibility of 1/4 mile for a period of 8 hours from Midnight to 8am this morning!), conditions shaping up beautifully for the afternoon with a mostly sunny sky and temperatures warming into the upper 70's at the beaches to mid 80's in areas inland. Areas of fog will re-develop tonight which likely will reduce our visibilities for the Thursday morning commute as well.

Have a great afternoon!
Lauren

It's Getting Foggy

That Gulf breeze has transported low level moisture onto the coast and inland locations. Now that the wind is becoming calmer, fog is developing. Visibility will be at or less than 1/4 mile tonight and tomorrow morning. Be careful. - Jim

Fog then Sun

The next few mornings will feature some fog. Afternoons should be mostly sunny and warm through Saturday. I still don't see any decent cold fronts coming our way, so temperatures will continue to run about 5 degrees above average for this time of the year. - Jim

Dense Fog Advisory This Morning

A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 10am this morning. Dense fog has developed over Lee County with visibilities of 1/4 mile currently being reported at Page Field in Ft. Myers and at SWFL International Airport. Be sure to drive with extra caution, use low beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance between your car and the car ahead of you on your commute as visibilities will be greatly reduced across the area through the mid-morning hours.

Current Visibilities:

Punta Gorda: 1/2 mile

Naples: 1/4 mile

Stay safe!
Lauren

Mostly sunny in the forecast! highs in the 80s. Enjoy!

Some morning fog for the next few days but plenty of sun by the afternoons. Highs will be in the low 80s after starting in the low 60s. Just a few more clouds expected by the weekend. No rain in the 7 day. Details on WINK starting at 5.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

President's Day Forecast

Dealing with some fog across the area this morning, mainly in our inland communities with visibilities out by the Lake down to 1/4 of a mile...a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect for Glades, Hendry and inland Collier until 9 am. The fog will dissipate by late morning, setting us up for a beautiful President's Day! Whether you're hitting the beach or the mall, conditions looking great for all of our President's Day plans with a mostly sunny sky and warm high temperatures in the upper 70's along the coast to low 80's in areas inland. Winds will become breezy at times this afternoon out of the southwest at 10-15 mph with a few higher gusts possible.

Enjoy your President's Day!
Lauren

A Spectacular Sunday!

A cool night is on tap with lows dropping into the low 50s inland and near 60 degrees by the coast. Morning patchy fog will reduce visibilities in some inland locations around sunrise, but will quickly erode with warming temperatures. High pressure is locked in place across the Florida peninsula, which means no big changes headed our way - mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 80s. A weak front will travel down the state mid week, but it will not offer any rain chances.
-KM

Delightful Weather

Picture perfect weather is in store tonight for the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade in downtown Fort Myers. Expect a mostly clear sky with delightful temperatures near 70 degrees. Overnight lows will be quite comfortable as well into the mid to upper 50s with light winds. Enjoy!
-KM

Cool Nights, Warm Days

Looks like a nice weekend with a continuation of slightly warmer than average temperatures. Near perfect weather for the parade on Saturday, too. - Jim

Warm Enough?

Now that afternoon high temperatures have reached the 80's it looks like they will stay there for the next 7 days. Since we don't see any new cold fronts coming through next week the above average temperatures will continue. Enjoy the weekend and the Edison Festival of Light. - Jim

The Streak Continues

Our warm weather streak will continue into the weekend with highs at or above the 80 degree mark. The only exception, will be at the coastline where temperatures will remain in the upper 70s due to an onshore wind. A ridge of high pressure will be the dominating force in our weather pattern keeping the rain chances slim to none.
-KM

Sun & Warmth

The sunshine has returned across parts of Charlotte county this morning after being socked in with dense fog that reduced visibilities down to about a 1/4 of a mile. Abundant sunshine will carry us through the afternoon hours with daytime highs hitting the low 80s. A nice sea breeze will set up late in the afternoon keeping our coastal areas into the mid to upper 70s. If you are headed out on the town this evening to enjoy the 3 day holiday weekend, conditions look great! Mostly clear with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Enjoy!
-Kira

A Great Friday and 3 Day Weekend Ahead

Another great day for the last day of the work week! Mostly sunny today with warm high temperatures in the upper 70's along the coast to low 80's inland! With high pressure in control, we keep the sunshine and warmth around into the upcoming President's Day weekend...beautiful weather for all of the Edison Festival of Light events! Be sure though, to pack plenty of water, the hat and sunscreen if you have plans to hit downtown Ft. Myers for the start of the festivities at noontime tomorrow with abundant sunshine and highs in the low 80's...and tomorrow evening's weather for the Edison Festival of Light 5k race and Grand Parade going to be awesome...clear and comfortable with temperatures in the low 70's.

Have a great weekend!
Lauren

A Great Friday and 3 Day Weekend Ahead

Another great day for the last day of the work week! Mostly sunny today with warm high temperatures in the upper 70's along the coast to low 80's inland! With high pressure in control, we keep the sunshine and warmth around into the upcoming President's Day weekend...beautiful weather for all of the Edison Festival of Light events! Be sure though, to pack plenty of water, the hat and sunscreen if you have plans to hit downtown Ft. Myers for the start of the festivities at noontime tomorrow with abundant sunshine and highs in the low 80's...and tomorrow evening's weather for the Edison Festival of Light 5k race and Grand Parade going to be awesome...clear and comfortable with temperatures in the low 70's.

Have a great weekend!
Lauren

A Warm Weekend Ahead...

Our streak of warm days and quiet weather will stick around through the weekend, courtesy of a high pressure ridge that will dominate. Temperatures will remain in the upper 70s to lower 80s through the weekend with very little change as we go into the President's Day holiday. Enjoy!
-Kira

Mostly Sunny and Warm

An easterly wind will bring a few fair weather clouds this afternoon along with a sprinkle or two across our inland locations. Temperatures today will be a few degrees above the average as they top out in the upper 70s to low 80s under a mostly sunny sky. A mostly clear sky tonight along with light to calm winds, will allow for patchy fog to develop by early Friday morning.
-Kira

A Warm Streak Ahead

High temperatures in Ft. Myers haven't hit 80 degrees in about 2 weeks...but we're going to get there today! Another beautiful day in store with a mostly sunny sky and a chance of just an isolated sprinkle inland. For December, January and through February thus far, the high temperature in Ft. Myers reached 80 degrees or greater 9 times...in our extended forecast...highs will reach to or above 80 degrees for the next 7 days!

Enjoy the warmth!
Lauren

Temps in the 80s by tomorrow!! The ground hog was right!!

Well we will take this early spring weather for the next several days. Highs in the low 80s starting tomorrow. Overnight lows will start in the 50s but with warmer weather into the weekend ours lows will bottom out in the 60s. Lots of sun and a light wind. Enjoy.. Details starting at 5 on WINK.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Warmer than Average

Warm days are back and here to stay through the weekend. We are getting a break from any new cold fronts for awhile. The average high temperature is 76 degrees this time of the year. Highs should make it to about 80 degrees through Sunday. - Jim

Another Great Day!

Not quite as chilly this morning with most temperatures running in the low to mid 50's. Crystal clear conditions to start the day in Ft. Myers, but Naples dealing with a few low clouds hanging out that will dissipate over the next hour revealing bright sunshine for the mid to late morning hours. Another beautiful afternoon in store with a mostly sunny sky along the coast with partly cloudy conditions inland. Temps will be warming back into the mid to upper 70's in our inland communities but a gulf breeze developing will keep highs a little cooler at the beaches with afternoon temps near 70 degrees.

Enjoy the day!
Lauren

Sunny sky for tomorrow.. Highs in the upper 70s.. Great SWFL weather ahead!

Once again we are dealing with warmer afternoon highs for the next several days. Highs on Wednesday will approach the upper 70s. how about 80s by the weekend.. High pressure will keep building off the east coast giving us light wind and plenty of sun. This patttern is here to stay into next week..

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

A Nice Week

Since we don't expect any new cold fronts this week, we will have mostly sunny days into the weekend. Temperatures continue to warm and highs near 80 are likely through Sunday. - Jim

Layer up this morning, break out the sunscreen this afternoon

It's another chilly start to the day with current temperatures in the 40's across much of SWFL. It's 49 degrees in Ft. Myers with a wind chill of 46 degrees. A cold start in Punta Gorda at 42, it's 42 in Lehigh, 40 in Golden Gate and 45 degrees in North Ft. Myers thus layers a good idea today as we need the long-sleeves and coat this morning but this afternoon a T-shirt will be in order with highs rebounding into the mid 70's! High pressure in control will keep the sky sunny with just a few high clouds streaming in.

Enjoy the beautiful day!
Lauren

One more night in the 40's

It will be clear and cold tonight, then sunny and warm tomorrow. Right now this is shaping up to be a mostly sunny, dry week. No significant cold fronts are due through the weekend as the jet stream stays to the north. - Jim

Great weather week ahead! highs in the low 80s buy Friday!!

A quiet weather pattern for the next few days.. We will see high pressure build in and that will warm us up in the low 80s by Friday! Tuesday we will see a few high clouds overhead but still plenty of sun. Sunny weather on Wednesday and just a few clouds by the end of the week into the weekend.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Sunny Days

Clear and cold tonight, sunny and warm tomorrow. Right now this is shaping up to be a mostly sunny, dry week. No significant cold fronts are due through the weekend as the jet stream stays to the north. - Jim

A Snuggle-y Start to Valentine's Day

Snuggle up to your sweetheart...chilly temperatures this morning to kick off our Valentine's Day! The current temperature in Ft. Myers is 46 degrees. It's 42 degrees in Lehigh, 41 degrees in Arcadia, and 38 degrees right now in Palmdale....Brrrr! But once that sun comes up over the horizon, temperatures will be warming efficiently setting up a beautiful Valentine's afternoon with highs in the low 70's, abundant sunshine and low humidity!

Enjoy the day,
Lauren

Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day just a few hours away here's the forecast for a few U.S. postmarks you'll "love":

Valentine, Nebraska - Sunny/50
Bliss, New York - Snow/37
Loving, Texas - Mostly Sunny/62
Romeo, Michigan - Mostly Cloudy/35
Love Valley, North Carolina - Mostly Sunny/64
Romance, Arkansas - Mostly Sunny/55
Kissimmee, Florida - Sunny/70
Loveland, Ohio - Mostly Cloudy/41
Darling, Mississippi - Sunny/60
Hartville, Wyoming - Mostly Sunny/53

Sunny Days, Cool Nights

Temperatures will continue to drop off tonight under a clear sky and light winds. Overnight lows will range from the upper 40s along the coastline to upper 30s to low 40s across our inland locations. High pressure off to our northwest will keep us with a cool northeasterly breeze tomorrow with highs in the low 70s with plenty of sunshine. Our warming trend will continue this week with temperatures climbing to 80 degrees by Friday.

Chilly Nights, Milder Days

We are setting up for a cold night across Southwest Florida. Temperatures tonight will dip into the low 40s with pockets of mid to upper 30s across our northern and interior sections with patchy frost possible by early Sunday morning. With high pressure in control, we'll see a few chilly nights with milder days. Plenty of sunshine will remain in the forecast through the upcoming week with highs gradually working their way into the upper 70s to low 80s by Thursday.
-Kira

Cold tonight as the cold front pushes thru. how about 40s and a breeze.

Now that the cold front has pushed through we expect overnight lows to fall into the 40s. A northerly breeze will add to the chilly weather. The breeze will be up to 15 mph tonight and tomorrow. The good news is that the sun will return, but highs Saturday only expected to get into the 60s.

 

By Sunday we will start in the 40s but end up in the low 70s. The warmer weather will kick in then. as highs approach the upper 70s by Thursday with plenty of sun through the period.

 

Have a great weekend.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Cloudy and Cool

A cold front continues to meander across Collier county this afternoon with cooler conditions filtering in across parts of Southwest Florida. Mostly cloudy conditions will stay in place with the isolated rain tapering off throughout the daytime hours. Clouds will begin to decrease tonight and into early tomorrow as high pressure builds overhead and cooler weather settles in. The sunshine returns for Saturday and Sunday with highs in the upper 60s.
-Kira

Afternoon Showers

A cold front to our north is producing some scattered showers across parts of Southwest Florida this afternoon. This boundary will linger across the area through Friday, keeping the clouds and isolated showers in the forecast. Cooler and drier weather will begin to filter in by the weekend with highs only climbing into the 60s to low 70s.
-Kira

Clear then Cloudy

Another cold front is coming. It will be mostly cloudy today with a few showers around through early evening. - Jim

Brrrr! A chilly start to the day!

Grab the winter coat and maybe even some gloves, as the chilly air has arrived in SWFL! Temperatures this morning are running in the 40's across much of the area. The current temp in Ft. Myers is 46 degrees. The current temp in Punta Gorda is 41 degrees with a wind chill temperature of 38 degrees...brrr! Our surface wind will shift from the northeast this morning to the south then southwest this afternoon, allowing afternoon highs to warm into the low to mid 70's despite this cold start. (Cooler at beaches with highs in the upper 60's). Mostly sunny today with a few clouds this afternoon.

Stay warm this morning!
Lauren

Cold Tonight

Temperatures will fall into the 40's tonight, then they increase into Friday. It looks like we could see s few showers on Thursday. - Jim

Cold Front

A cold front will pass through tonight, so less humid air is on the way. It will turn cooler tomorrow with high temperatures in the 60's. - Jim

Morning Fog

A cold front will continue to sag southward near Southwest Florida before pulling up stationary. With light winds and a very moist airmass, areas of fog will be a concern for early Sunday morning. The clouds will stick around for the most part with the chance of a few isolated showers throughout the day. Highs in the mid 70s. By Tuesday, it will turn noticeably cooler with temperatures in the upper 60s.
-Kira

Warming Up

A southerly breeze will pump in the warmth and humidity leading to temperatures in the lower 80s this afternoon. Morning fog will be a possibility by Saturday with the approach of a weak cold front. Expect a few more clouds on Saturday with a small chance of a shower or two with highs in the upper 70s.
-Kira

Warm and Humid

While the rest of the country is caught in a deep freeze, SW Florida is in a warm weather pattern. Dense fog will return tonight through tomorrow morning followed by a mix of sun and clouds during another warm afternoon. - Jim

Warm and Humid

While most are dealing with wintry weather and below freezing temperatures, the warmth and humidity will stick around Southwest Florida. A mix of sun clouds will be present this afternoon along with high temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s. Areas of fog will redevelop tonight and into Friday morning, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get into work and school. A mainly dry day will be in store for Friday, with a few showers moving in by Saturday along a cold front.
-Kira

Down Under - Tropical Cyclone Yasi

Tropical Cyclone Yasi, with wind stronger than those from Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans, struck Australia’s coastline early today, lashing northern communities with the force of a storm described by authorities as the largest in the nation’s history.

Locally, some fog tonight then a mix of sun and clouds tomorrow. - Jim

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week continues and today's topics include tornadoes and severe thunderstorms...

From the National Weather Service:

TORNADOES ARE THE MOST POWERFUL SMALL SCALE PHENOMENA IN NATURE.
WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK OF FLORIDA WEATHER HAZARDS...TORNADOES DO NOT
NORMALLY COME TO MIND HOWEVER SINCE 1970 MORE THAN 2,400 TORNADOES
HAVE BEEN REPORTED ACROSS THE STATE!

IN GENERAL...TORNADOES FORM WHEN RAPIDLY RISING AIR IN A THUNDERSTORM
UPDRAFT COMBINES WITH EITHER AN INCREASE IN WIND SPEED OR CHANGE IN
WIND DIRECTION...KNOWN AS SHEAR. THE LARGER THE SHEAR...THE GREATER
THE ROTATION AND THUS THE BETTER CHANCE A TORNADO WILL FORM.

IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA FRONTAL SYSTEMS...SEA BREEZE OR BOUNDARY
COLLISIONS...AND TROPICAL CYCLONE BANDS ARE THE PRIMARY WEATHER
THREATS THAT LEAD TO TORNADO FORMATION.

THE RELATIVELY SMALL AND SHORT-LIVED NATURE OF MOST SW FLORIDA
TORNADOES MEANS THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GIVE PLENTY OF ADVANCE
WARNING. IN MANY CASES, ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF WARNING ARE GIVEN
BETWEEN THE TIME A WARNING IS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
AND THE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN. HAVING A NOAA WEATHER RADIO IS A CRITICAL
COMPONENT OF THE WARNING SYSTEM. HAVING A WEATHER RADIO AVAILABLE TO
ALERT OF AN APPROACHING TORNADO HAS SAVED LIVES. WHEN A TORNADO   
THREATENS YOUR AREA, STAY INSIDE AND GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM WITHOUT
WINDOWS. IN A MULTI-STORY BUILDING, GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALMOST A DAILY OCCURRENCE IN FLORIDA
BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER. BY DEFINITION...THUNDERSTORMS ARE
HAZARDOUS DUE TO THE THREAT FROM LIGHTNING STRIKES. HOWEVER...SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE THE ADDED HAZARDS OF DAMAGING DOWNBURST WINDS
AND LARGE HAIL.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEFINED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
-WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR GREATER...SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE DAMAGE TO
WELL BUILT STRUCTURES OR STURDY FOLIAGE.
-HAIL 1 INCH IN DIAMETER OR LARGER.

HUNDREDS OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OCCUR IN FLORIDA EACH YEAR. THESE
STORMS OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY BETWEEN MID MAY AND EARLY AUGUST...WHEN
THE ATMOSPHERE ACROSS THE STATE IS MOST UNSTABLE.

Foggy tonight

Partly cloudy and warm this afternoon with a few areas of dense fog likely tonight and tomorow morning. High humidity and light wind could permit fog again Thursday morning. - Jim

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week continues and today's topic is Marine Hazards and Rip Currents...subjects we need to have knowledge of, as boating and beach-going are some of SW Floridians favorite past times...

1. Waterspouts: are much like tornadoes over water and can develop in association with sea-breeze thunderstorms. Most common time frame for waterspout formation is in the morning and early afternoon...and are most commonly develop in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

2. Thunderstorms: Lightning is the most common and threatening hazard. Strong wind gusts to gale force can be produced as well as torrential rains reducing visibilities to near zero

Some safety tips regarding waterspouts and thunderstorms detailed by the National Weather Service:

-HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN IN MIND. NEVER LET THUNDERSTORMS CUT OFF YOUR
ROUTE BACK TO LAND.
-IF A THUNDERSTORM THREATENS...BE SURE EVERYONE ABOARD IS WEARING
A LIFE JACKET. SMALL BOATS CAN QUICKLY OVERTURN IN GUSTY WINDS.
-IF CAUGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM...GO BELOW DECK IF POSSIBLE...AND STAY
AWAY FROM MASTS OR UNGROUNDED METAL OBJECTS.
-LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR WARNING INFORMATION.

3. Rip Currents: And you might never guess so, but rip currents, sometimes called riptides or undertows, have claimed more lives since 1979 in South Florida than all other weather hazards combined! In 2010, seven people in South Florida lost their lives to rip currents. A rip current is a strong channel of water flowing out toward the surf zone that can pull even the strongest swimmer out into deep water.

Some safety tips regarding rip currents detailed by the National Weather Service:

-KNOW YOUR SWIMMING ABILITY IN SEA WATERS AND CURRENTS.
-ALWAYS SWIM AT GUARDED BEACHES.
-IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...SIGNAL FOR HELP FIRST. REMAIN CALM...
THEN SWIM PARALLEL TO THE SHORE UNTIL YOU ARE WELL OUT OF THE
CURRENT. WHEN OUT OF THE CURRENT...SWIM DIAGONALLY TOWARD SHORE

RIP CURRENTS ARE NORMALLY ONLY ABOUT 10 TO 30 YARDS WIDE

And it's a good day to hit the beach and practice your weather safety skills with a partly cloudy sky and highs in the upper 70's to low 80's this afternoon!

Lauren