Warm

Looks like a false alarm on the Arctic Oscillation. It will be colder on Feb 5, but not a significant or long event. Temps should stay above average next 7 days. - Jim

AO ?

Warmer than average temperatures will continue in the short run, but colder conditions may be here in 1-2 weeks.

http://nsidc.org/arcticmet/patterns/arctic_oscillation.html

The Arctic Osillation can be a good early indicator and it looks like the AO will swing to a negative phase. This would indicate colder air for the east coast, including Florida. Stay tuned! - Jim Farrell

How about those temps!?

It was another day of warmer than average temperatures. Here in Fort Myers, we got up to 79, but many spots touched that 80 degree mark, and more of the same is on the way through the next 7 days.

Also, dry conditions will persist, which will warrant watching as our fire danger will slowly rise and drought conditions worsen.

-KW

A weak cold front

A weak cold front will pass through tonight. It is soooo weak, high temperatures will be near 80 degrees again by Friday. BTW, I see global teleconnections that indicate February could be VERY cold in Sw Florida. - Jim

Another Cold Snap Expected Sooner Rather than Later

Temperatures warmed above average this afternoon; some locales were in the 80s! A strong cold front will pass through SW FL tomorrow morning, filtering in much chillier air. Highs Friday afternoon will struggle to even hit 70, and this cool trend will linger into the weekend. The coldest morning on tap will be Sunday with a low in the low to mid 40s.

-KW

The First Rain of 2012

An approaching cold front is producing a line of storms currently over the Tampa/St. Pete area. This line will continue east/southeastward and into SW FL this afternoon. Meanwhile, light showers continue over southern Collier county. The front will pass through this evening, but it will take a couple days for the coolest air to filter into SW FL; Friday and Saturday's highs will struggle to hit 70.

-Katie

High Pressure in Control This Weekend

Lows were still on the cool side this Saturday morning, and areas of dense fog created tricky travel in certain spots. Temperatures this afternoon will warm into the mid to upper 70s with a light southwest breeze, and even warmer highs are forecast tomorrow! While a dry radar is expected over the weekend and into the beginning of the work week, scattered showers late Wednesday are possible. Happy Weekend!

-KW

Low 80s on the way!

As usual, the cold lasted but a few days. But for many, a few days is plenty. This afternoon, temperatures will warm into the mid 70s, near the average for this time of year, and by Sunday 80!

Areas of dense fog this morning created travel headaches, especially in Lee county. Watch again for patchy fog late tonight and tomorrow morning.

-Katie

Cooooold!

Tonight will be the coldest night we have had since December 2010, about 12 1/2 months.

I expect near freezing temperatures in town and lows in the 20s inland by morning. - Jim