Severe Weather Awareness Week

This week marks Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week in which we discuss the different types of hazards presented by our weather here in Florida. And as Florida remains the lightning capital of the country...today's topic is a particularly important one to pay attention to...Lightning Hazards.

According to the National Weather Service, of the lightning casualty cases in the U.S. where the incident location was reported, 48% occurred in open fields, ballparks or playgrounds, another 23% occurred under trees, nearly 12% involved water-related activities, and another 6% involved golfing. People driving farm or other heavy equipment accounted for about 7% of lightning casualties.

Using some simple steps of action, we can greatly reduce our risk of being threatened by lightning...

1. Plan Ahead: If thunderstorms are in the forecast, consider canceling or postponing outdoor plans

2. Monitor the Weather: Watch the sky! Look for signs of a developing or approaching storm

3. If Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!: If the sky looks threatening, or if you see lightning or hear thunder...seek shelter immediately in a substantial building. Remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning and rumble of thunder

4. Avoid Tall Objects: If caught outdoors in a thunderstorm and cannot find shelter, avoid tall objects such as trees and poles to minimize the risk of being struck. Also avoid objects that conduct electricity including metal bleachers and wire fences

Tomorrow's topic: Marine Hazards and Rip Currents

No thunderstorms in the forecast today...just another beautiful day in store with mostly sunny conditions and highs in the mid 70's!

Lauren

Clear

Mostly sunny and warm today, tomorrow ans Wednesday. More clouds later in the week. - Jim

A Warming Trend

A clear sky and calm winds tonight will allow temperatures to drop into the upper 40s with colder spots to the north and across our inland areas. Be on the look out for some patchy fog to develop as well by early Sunday morning. High clouds will mix in with the sunshine tomorrow afternoon, but the warming trend will continue with high temperatures climbing into the mid 70s. A light easterly wind will become onshore tomorrow afternoon keeping the beaches and coastal communities in the upper 60s to low 70s. The upcoming week looks warm and dry before a cold front approaches late in the week with a few showers.
-Kira

A Sunny Weekend

No major changes are coming our way, just the gradual warm-up into next week. I'm looking for a sunny weekend. - Jim

A Nice Weeked Ahead

Now that the high clouds have moved out, the sunshine returns with daytime temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. It will be another chilly night as low temperatures dip back into the upper 40s. High pressure will build overhead for the weekend with temperatures gradually working their way into the lower 70s. A few more couds will drfit in for Sunday, but the dry weather will hold in place.
-Kira

Cold tonight

Cold high pressure is in place. Temperatures will return into the 40's overnight. Mostly sunny sky returns tomorrow. High temperatures in the mid 70's will be here by Sunday. - Jim

Chilly Temperatures Continue

A few high clouds will continue to work their way across Southwest Florida this afternoon with highs in the mid to upper 60s. You'll want the jackets and sweaters for tomorrow morning as we still have a few chilly nights ahead with lows in the
40s. High pressure will keep our weather very tranquil into the weekend, with temperatures moderating into the 70s by Saturday.

-Kira

Snow, snow and more snow for the Northeast!

Our friends in the Northeast must be snow sick by now as another winter storm is impacting that part of the country! The snow has come to an end in Philadelphia and New York City, but not before leaving behind more than a foot of the white stuff with 14.9" reported at Philadelphia International Airport, breaking a daily snowfall record for yesterday's date from 1963...with reports of thundersnow! 15.3" of snow has fallen at NYC's Central Park and now January 2011 is the snowiest January on record for Central Park, breaking an 86 year old record, with 32.3" inches...more than 2 and a half feet just this month!

Newark, NJ and LaGuardia International Airport in NYC have also broken the record for the snowiest January with 32.6" and 27.7" of snow respectively...12.6" during this current event at LaGuardia will definitely put a crimp in many people's travel plans today. Boston has seen nearly a foot so far and the snow continues to fall at this hour. If you have friends and family expected to fly in from the Northeast, be sure to check the flight status as delays are certain through the day.

Doesn't look winter-y in SWFL but feels winter-y with chilly temperatures in the mid 40's this morning. Highs will warm into the mid 60's this afternoon under a mostly sunny sky...a nice quiet day after an active few days of weather...

Enjoy!
Lauren

Sunny but cool

Clearing and colder tonight, then sunny and cool for the next 3 days. Warmer by Monday. - jim

WET !!!

What an evening! 1" - 2" of rain with some minor wind damage and power outs. The main line of thunderstorms has passed through, but rain and a thunderstorm or two is still possible into the morning hours. The sky will clear in the afternoon and it will get Cold! - Jim

Storms will be arriving later tonight! Following the rain, windy and cold weather!

The rain in approaching the Tampa Bay area now (5pm). This line of rain and storms will move into SWFL overnight. You can expect to see 1" to 2" of rain and a few strong storms, some have already produced a few tornados.  I am thinking that the rain will be ending by 8 am or sooner in Lee county, early than that in Charlotte county. Collier county will see the rain ending before or around 10am. The wind will shift to the northwest by the afternoon, this will bring in drier and much cooler weather for the next several days. Highs tomorrow will be in the middel 60s and overnight lows in the 40s. We won't see warmer weather until Saturday afternoon, might hit 70 then. All the details starting at 5 on WINK TV with Jim Farrell. I will be on at 7pm on WINK. See you then.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Rain tonight

Here comes the cold front. Rain is likely tonight, a few thunderstorms, too. A wet morning (tomorrow) should give way to a clear and cold night (tomorrow night). - Jim

Rain on the way

A warm, breezy and humid afternoon ahead with highs reaching to near 80 degrees...but beach weather it is not as clouds will continue to overtake the sky and scattered showers develop for the second half of the afternoon. Rain chances increase into the evening hours with thunderstorms possible as an area of low pressure strengthening in the Gulf moves east. Periods of heavy rain likely overnight with the possibility of a few strong storms...the main threat will be gusty, damaging winds. The rain will continue into early Wednesday and begin to taper off by the mid to late morning hours. Expect total rainfall accumulations through this event of 1-2 inches, with higher amounts locally especially in northern counties of SWFL. Take extra-care on your commute tomorrow morning due to ponding on roadways and possible downed tree branches.

Have a great afternoon,
Lauren

Rain on the way

A vigorous weather system is gathering and we will most likely have rain tomorrow night into Wednesday morning. Expect increasing clouds tomorrow with showers and thunderstorms tomorrow night through tomorrow morning. - Jim

A Brief Warming Trend

Another chilly night is ahead, but not as cold as last night. Overnight lows will drop into the 40s under a mostly clear sky and light winds. The 70s return tomorrow afternoon with a few more clouds. An area of low pressure with a trailing cold front will push across the Gulf of Mexico increasing rain chances late Tuesday and into early Wednesday morning. Another shot of cooler and drier air will filter into Southwest Florida by Thursday morning with lows in the upper 40s.

-Kira

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warnings are in effect through early Sunday morning for Glades and Hendry counties. Temperatures will drop to near freezing overnight and into Sunday morning. Don't forget the pets and plants!

Another Cold Blast

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for Southwest Florida through early Sunday morning. Temperatures will tumble into the upper 30s tonight with near freezing temperatures across our inland and northern communities. A sunny sky will return tomorrow, but temperatures stay on the cool side due to a northeasterly breeze. A warm up will take place early in the week before another cold front moves through on Tuesday.

-Kira

Hazy

The haze will leave as the cold front comes through today. It will be cooler tonight and cooler all weekend. - Jim

Dense Fog

A dense fog advisory is in effect until 4pm this afternoon across our coastal communities. A dreary day with scattered showers and a few storms thanks to an approaching cold front to the north. The warm and humid airmass that sits overhead will be replaced by a cool and dry one by Saturday. Highs will struggle to make it out of the mid 60s with overnight lows in the 40s by Sunday morning.
Have a great weekend!

-Kira

Dry today, a shower tomorrow

Another cold front will pass through tomorrow afternoon, so there will be a shower or two around Friday. Cooler air will follow Saturday asnd Sunday mornings. Next week looks dry until Wednesday and Thursday, when there could be another round of rain. - Jim

Rain Returns

A mainly dry day will lead to increasing rain chances by Friday. A cold front will push in across Southwest Florida leading to scattered rain through early afternoon. In it's wake, cooler and drier conditions just in time for the weekend. Overnight lows will drop into the 40s by Sunday morning, with daytime highs in the upper 60s.

-Kira

Dry again

The band of light rain has passed through the region and now we are back to a dry, partly cloudy pattern. Fog returns tonight and another round of rain is likely on Friday. - jim

Warming Up

Sun and clouds will return to the area this afternoon along with temperatures topping out in the upper 70s. Areas of fog will develop once again tonight with a return to partly cloudy conditions for Thursday. A cold front will approach Southwest Florida on Friday, with the return of more cloud cover and the chance for rain. Drier and cooler weather will be felt once the front passes to the south with overnight lows dropping into the 40s by Sunday morning.

-Kira

Dense Fog

Dense fog covers parts of Southwest Florida with visibilities here in town lowering to .25 miles. A line of light to moderate rain will continue to push in across the area from the north leading to some wet roadways this morning.

-Kira

Clouds return

Looking for hazy conditions again tonight with a few showers possible tomorrow. We might see more clouds than sunshine the next 3 days with brighter sky by the weekend afternoons. - Jim

Morning Fog

After low clouds and fog this morning some sun is returning to Southwest Florida. Temperatures will warm this afternoon into the mid to upper 70's with slightly cooler readings along the coastline. Fog will continue to be an issue again on Wednesday morning, but dry weather will hold in place through Thursday. Our next rain maker will approach the region on Friday bringing an increase in the cloud cover along with scattered rain. It's behind this cold front where we will find some cooler weather into the weekend.

Kira

Rain will be ending overnight. Morning fog tomorrow followed by some sun in the afternoon. Temps in the 70s!

After picking up on average, half and inch or so the rain will be ending tonight. Tuesday morning we will be waking up with some low clouds and fog. This should give way to some sun in the afternoon. Temperatures will reach the middle 70s. Next cold front arrives Friday evening with some rain. A cooler but dry weekend ahead!

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

Showers and Isolated Thunderstorms

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 7 PM EST THIS EVENING:

A wet Monday evening is in store with an isolated thunderstorm or two. Officially there is a Tornado Watch in effect until 7pm, although conditions appear only marginal for severe weather here. It will be dry tomorrow with highs in the 70's. - Jim

Warmer

The warm up is underway and afternoon temperatures should make it into the 70's this weekend. Showers are possible late Monday into Tuesday. - Jim

Not as Cold

After freezing temperatures inland this morning, a gradual warm up has begun. It will not be as cold tonight. Afternoon temperatures will be near 70 degrees tomorrow, into the low 70's this weekend. - Jim

It's coooollllld!

Temperatures this morning are in the 30's across much of SWFL with wind chill values in the 20's due to a NE wind still at 10-15 mph with slightly higher gusts. A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 10am this morning.

Bundle up!
Lauren

It's coooollllld!

Temperatures this morning are in the 30's across much of SWFL with wind chill values in the 20's due to a NE wind still at 10-15 mph with slightly higher gusts. A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 10am this morning.

Bundle up!
Lauren

Freeze Warning Tonight

It won't last long, but a quick shot of cold air will drive temperatures to near freezing for one night. A Freeze Warning is in effect for tonight. Sub-freezing temperatures are likely inland. A warm-up begins late tomorrow as overnight lows tomorrow night will be around 40 degrees, a full 10 degrees more than tonight's lows. - Jim

Cold Again!

A northerly wind will bring another cold airmass into SW Florida. Near 50 degrees tonight, but much colder by tomorrow night. Thursday morning should feature the coldest temperatures from this spell with lows in the 30's. - Jim

Dense Fog Advisory This Morning

DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST THIS
MORNING...

LOCAL OBSERVATIONS AND REPORTS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT INDICATE THAT
WIDESPREAD DENSE FOG CONTINUES ACROSS THE AREA EARLY THIS
MORNING. THIS WILL CAUSE FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE
MORNING COMMUTE...WITH VISIBILITIES LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE.
REPORTS OF NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY HAVE EVEN BEEN RECEIVED AT A FEW
LOCALES.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE CLOSED OKEECHOBEE ROAD FROM SOUTH
BAY TO INTERSTATE 75 DUE TO ZERO VISIBILITY ALONG THIS STRETCH OF
ROAD. TIME OF RE-OPENING OF THIS ROAD IS UNKNOWN.

THOSE TRAVELING THIS MORNING SHOULD DRIVE WITH WITH EXTRA CAUTION.
USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND REDUCE YOUR SPEED...AND LEAVE PLENTY
OF DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER VEHICLES. THE DENSE FOG WILL
GRADUALLY DISSIPATE BY 9 AM THIS MORNING.

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...
USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF
YOU.

Cold Again

Another cold front is on the way. It will arrive after some fog and low clouds in the morning. Turning colder after the front, Tuesday night. A warm-up may not return until the weekend. - Jim

Nice Weekend

Here comes a mostly sunny weekend. Lows will be in the cool 50's and highs will be in the low 70's. - Jim

Cooler temps moving in across the area. Rain has ended and we are starting to clear. How about sun and 60s tomorrow.

Now that the front is pushing through we will see the temps fall. We did get some rain, a little more than we thought. Some areas (Estero, Sanibel, Lehigh Acres, & San Carlos Park) picking up 1.50" while the rest getting about 1.00". Collier County (Naples) only getting .07" to Immokalee getting .60". Well overnight temps will fall into the upper 40s to low 50s. Friday we will see a sunny day but still a little cool. Highs in the 60s. We will gradually warm things up into the weekend. middle 70s for highs. Details on WINK starting at 5. and see me at 7.

--
Scott Zedeker
WINK TV Meteorologist

We needed that

We are getting about 1" of rain in many areas today, a little more than expected. It has been very dry, so this soaking is needed, Back to sunny and dry tomorrow! - Ji

Strong storms producing gusty winds affecting the area...

STRONG WINDS AFFECTING SOUTHERN SARASOTA...CHARLOTTE...SOUTHERN
HIGHLANDS AND DESOTO COUNTIES...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 10 MILES SOUTHEAST
OF LORIDA TO NORTH PORT...OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 10 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF BASINGER TO NORTH PORT...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 50 MPH...
WILL AFFECT WARM MINERAL SPRINGS...NORTH PORT...LAKE PLACID AND FORT
OGDEN...UNTIL 1015 AM EST.

OBSERVATIONS HAVE REPORTED GUSTY WINDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH.
OCCASIONAL LIGHTNING IS EXPECTED. TO BE SAFE GO INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
IF CAUGHT OUTSIDE...FIND A LOW SPOT...AND STAY AWAY FROM TALL
OBJECTS.

Be extra careful when commuting in the rain today!

A line of rain and thunderstorms is approaching SWFL and will be impacting the area from mid-morning into the mid-afternoon hours. Be EXTRA careful when driving in the rain today as the lack of recent significant rainfall will cause roads to be especially slick and potentially dangerous as the rain water mixes with the oily surfaces of roadways. The National Weather Service office in Tampa is receiving reports that a lot of drivers in the Tampa Bay area are losing control of their vehicles especially around interstate entrances and exits as a result of the rain that moved through a few hours ago.

Be safe!
Lauren

Rain and storms approaching northern sections of SWFL

A significant weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for northern DeSoto and northern Highlands counties due to gusty winds embedded within a line of rain and thunderstorms that is approaching the area...


721 AM EST

...STRONG WINDS WILL AFFECT NORTHERN SARASOTA...MANATEE...
SOUTHEASTERN POLK...NORTHERN HIGHLANDS...HARDEE AND NORTHERN DESOTO
COUNTIES...

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES A LINE OF
THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 19 MILES NORTH OF
LORIDA TO ONA TO BAYSHORE GARDENS...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20
MPH...WILL AFFECT WEST SAMOSET...WEST BRADENTON...SAMOSET AND
PALMETTO...UNTIL 815 AM EST.

GUSTY WINDS 35 TO 45 MPH WILL OCCUR. OCCASIONAL LIGHTNING IS
EXPECTED. TO BE SAFE GO INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. IF CAUGHT
OUTSIDE...FIND A LOW SPOT...AND STAY AWAY FROM TALL OBJECTS.

Another Cold Front

The next cold front will arrive tomorrow. There will be plenty of clouds and a few showers around tonight and tomorrow. - jim

The Next Cold Front

Look for mild temperatures and fog, dense in spots tomorrow morning, all in advance of the next cold front. The cold front should come through Thursday with clouds and a few showers. Turning cooler Friday, Saturday and Sunday. - Jim

Pleasant afternoon

Partly cloudy conditions and seasonable temperatures in the mid to upper 70's in store for the afternoon. A gulf breeze developing for the second half of the afternoon will drive some cooler air from over the Gulf toward the immediate coastline so if heading to the beaches, bring an extra t-shirt or sweat jacket along just in case.

Expect near average high temperatures for Wednesday as well, but a cold front on Thursday will bring scattered rain and allow a cooler air mass to settle in for the end of the week into the weekend.

Have a great rest of the day!
Lauren

One Front, Two Front

A weak cold front is passing through today. Another front will arrive later this week. Our next chance of rain will be on Thursday. - Jim

Clouds

2011 starts off with a few clouds, with even more cloudiness likely Sunday afternoon into earlt Monday as a weak cold front slides through early Monday morning. - Jim