Warm weather heading our way

Tired of all that cool weather we've been having lately? It's almost over, and just in time for the weekend, says Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay.

"After several days of unseasonably cool weather, a big warm up is ahead this weekend,'' Clay said. "There's only a slight chance of showers as a weak cool front passes to our north."

Before long you can start complaining about how hot it is.

Here are the details:

Friday   
Sunny and warmer
Rain     0%
Low     58    
High    82    

Saturday
Partly sunny, an isolated shower possible.
Rain  10%
Low    65   
High   83 

Sunday   
Partly sunny and warm, an isolated shower possible.
Rain   10%
Low    69 
High   84 

Forecasters: Cold snap ends by Friday

TAMPA -- With today's low temperatures hovering around 50 degrees, it's been very cold for April. And forecasters say it's going to last one more day.

While this isn't a record-breaking cold snap, forecasters say this month has been particularly cool. That's because a cold front met with winds that have pinned the chilly air over the Tampa Bay area.

"It's all about the wind directions," said Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker. "If it's not tapping the source of cold air, then it wouldn't be so cold."

But it is.

"We should be at 80 degrees," Linker said. "We're only gonna be in the 60s."

Expect more of the same tomorrow, with lows again projected around 50 degrees. Highs will peak around 74 degrees. Linker said the mercury should climb back to the more normal low 80s as the week progresses.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Jack Warefield of St. Petersburg warmed up this morning before a Kids and Kubs softball game in North Shore Park, St. Petersburg. Scott Keeler | Times

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Weekend forecast: Brace for a cold front

Enjoy the warm weather while you can; a cold front is coming. Highs are expected to be in the 80s today, but Sunday temperatures are expected to dip to the 60s with a high in the mid 70s, said Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay. The cooler weather will continue next week, Clay said -- temperatures Monday might not reach the 60s until afternoon.

One bright spot: There's not much rain in the forecast.

Here's the latest detailed breakdown:

More rain coming after Sunday's record downpour

Mark Brusiloff of St. Petersburg throws his cast net Monday near the Pinellas Bayway.

[Scott Keeler | Times]

TAMPA -- Tired of the rain?  It's not over.

The fog that enveloped parts of the Tampa Bay area this morning is just the beginning of a damp Monday after Sunday's record rainfall, weather forecasters say.

In Tampa Sunday, a record-setting 2.05 inches fell at Tampa International Airport -- about four times April's monthly average of 0.41 inches, Reynes said.

The sun is expected to peek through this morning, but the sea breeze will move inland and bring thunderstorms with it, said meteorologist Nick Petro with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see some heavy downpours develop," he said.

Despite a soupy morning and afternoon showers, forecasters say a more pleasant forecast is headed our way.

"We'll get sunshine," he said. "It's coming."

That's quite the departure from the weekend, when a slow-moving front joined heavy, pervasive low-level moisture resulting in a Sunday soaking.

"Basically, we had one of those incidents that covered the entire state," said meteorologist Anthony Reynes. "We haven't had that in a while."

Here's a glance at other area totals Sunday as projected by the National Weather Service in Ruskin:

Tampa International Airport -  2.05
Sarasota - 1.19
St. Petersburg (Albert Whitted Airport) - 1.33
St. Petersburg- Clearwater Airport - 2.25 inches
Ruskin - 1.41
Winter Haven - 5.11

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Pack a poncho, race fans

Afternoons of the Grand Prix weekend in St. Petersburg could be spoiled by showers beginning Friday afternoon and occurring each day until the the checkered flag drops Sunday.

"We're had some active weather over the last few days with a more summerlike weather pattern," Bay News 9 chief meteorologist Mike Clay said in a prepared weather outlook. "As a cold front approaches the state from the north, our coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase over the weekend."

The rainfall won't last too long each day, though.

"The storms will mainly be during the afternoons," Clay said.

Friday's high temperature will climb to 85 degrees before falling a few degrees to hover around the 80-degree mark for the remainder of the weekend. Lows are expected in the upper 60s.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

7 Day outlook courtesy Bay News 9

Weekend weather looking good

Better weather is on the way, just in time for the weekend, says Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay.

"We've had some active weather lately with several rainy days and numerous cold fronts since January,'' Clay said. "But it looks like that pattern has changed as we are in our more typical dry and warm weather.''

It's usually dry this time of year, through May, "and it looks like that pattern is about to take over with just a slight chance of a shower on the sea breeze," Clay said.

Cool now but warmer tomorrow

The morning commute is chilly. The evening's won't feel so hot, either.

But warmer weather is on the way.

Morning temperature hovered around 50 degrees in most parts of the Tampa Bay area this morning, with northern counties dipping into the upper 30s. Sunny skies will help the mercury flirt with a below-average 70 degrees today, which is slated to be breezy and dry.

But this might be - could be, may be - the last blast of cold air before warmer temperatures become the norm again for the Spring season, forecasters say.

  A warm-up begins Wednesday, when temperatures will shoot up to the upper 70s, then increase to the low 80s throughout the week. At which point you can start longing for cooler temps again.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Springtime temps dip before returning to normal

The arrival of spring has temperatures across the Tampa Bay area taking a quick dip before returning to normal by midweek, forecasters say.

Gusty winds will accompany today's high temperature of 70 degrees before a cool evening gives way to a chilly Tuesday morning. Temperatures are expected in the mid 40s early, but parts of northern Pinellas County along with areas north and east of Tampa could see temperatures hit the upper 30s, said Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker.

Freeze warnings don't appear likely, although Linker said pockets of Citrus County could see some frosting. Chilly as it may feel, no low-temperature records are in jeopardy.

"Even though it's cold, it's not as cold as it could be," Linker said. "The thing that will prevent us being too outrageously cold is that it's late March."

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer 

A mixed forecast for Easter weekend

That's some stunning weather we're having right now, huh?

Enjoy it while you can.

Showers are in Saturday's forecast, says Bay News 9 chief meteorologist Mike Clay.

"The front that brought us the showers on Thursday morning, will stall in South Florida over the weekend,'' Clay said. "A weak upper-level disturbance will ride along the front and could produce more showers back into our area on Saturday.''

The weekend forecast ends with good new: "This should all move out by Easter Sunday.''

Here are the details:

Friday 
Partly sunny, breezy and mild.
Rain  0%
Low   55
High  78

Saturday
Mostly cloudy with showers likely.
Rain  60%
Low   60
High  75

Sunday 
Mostly cloudy and mild.
Rain  10%
Low   58
High  77

-- Times staff writer

Weekend will be cooler with some rain

Expect a few showers over the Tampa Bay area late Friday and early Saturday.

"A weak upper-level disturbance will move over us late Friday and early Saturday,'' said Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay. "It might produce a few showers.''

But the rain should end and the sun should warm things up, Clay said, though it could be a little breezy. Watch for a weak cool front Sunday, Clay said, "but we still expect a nice day, just a little cooler."

 

Progress Energy sued for nearly $43-million

Contractors that built power plants for Progress Energy sued the utility last week in Tampa federal court for nearly $43-million.

S&B Engineers & Constructors of Houston, Texas, and Bibb and Associates built two new natural gas generators at Progress Energy’s Hines power station in Polk County. The companies allege that the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, as well as the run-up in world commodity prices, caused the project to go over budget. Progress Energy is liable for those overruns, the lawsuit alleges.

Michael Hornreich, attorney for the plaintiffs, said his firm would not comment on pending litigation. S&B Engineers & Constructors did not return calls for comment.

In 2005 and again in 2006, Progress Energy was given permission by the Florida Public Service Commission to add a hurricane recovery surcharge to customers’ monthly bills to recoup about $380-million in hurricane costs. Those were systemwide costs, and not directly associated with the construction of the Hines generators, said Progress Energy spokesman Buddy Eller.

“We generally don’t comment on litigation," Eller said. "But I will tell you that we certainly think it has no merit.”

- Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer

Read the complaint here:

Download contractor_sues_progress_over_cost_overruns.pdf

Tornado threat passes for most of the bay area

The National Weather Service in Ruskin has canceled a tornado watch for coastal counties in, west central Florida, including Pinellas and Pasco counties. The watch continues in nine counties, including Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk, until at least 2 a.m.

A strong line of thunderstorms is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the area tonight through Saturday morning.

The front will bring colder temperatures and stiff winds for the weekend.

"This afternoon and tonight are the best rain chances,'' Juli Marquez, Bay News 9 meteorologist, said Friday. Thundershowers are possible throughout the Tampa Bay area tonight and early Saturday, but should be gone by breakfast time.

After that, expect a blustery day with temperatures in the 60s or possibly as low as the 50s.

National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sharp said to expect winds of 15-25 mph Saturday, with stronger winds along the coastline.

Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

Progress and TECO reliability down slightly

If you’re a customer of Tampa Electric or Progress Energy, chances are you probably spent a few more minutes in the dark last year.

The reliability of both utilities worsened in 2007, according to reports the utilities filed this week with state regulators. The average Tampa Electric customer spent nearly 77 minutes in the dark, as opposed to about 69 minutes in 2006. Progress Energy’s customers spent 3.5 minutes more in the dark in 2007, for a total of just more than 78 minutes.

Both utilities blamed the slight uptick on severe weather.

Once a year, the utilities report to the state their System Average Interruption Duration Index, or SAIDI. It’s a system-wide average based on outages and the number of customers. The average doesn’t include lengthy outages caused by hurricanes.

Rick Morera, spokesman for Tampa Electric, said the company had the best record in the state in 2006, thanks to mild weather. Although the system-wide average worsened slightly in 2007, other numbers improved. For example, if your lights went out, Tampa Electric had them back on in 75.3 minutes, two minutes better than 2006.

Progress Energy has been steadily improving its performance, said spokeswoman Cherie Jacobs. When Carolina Power & Light bought Florida Progress in 2000, creating Progress Energy, the average customer spent more than 100 minutes a year without power. Since then, the St. Petersburg utility spent more than $100-million on new equipment, and beefed up tree-trimming programs.

BY THE NUMBERS: Average anual outage per customer in minutes

Tampa Electric
2003: 70.87
2004: 78.43
2005: 83.90
2006: 69.16
2007: 76.80

Progress Energy
2003: 85.8
2004: 77
2005: 74.5
2006: 74.8
2007: 78.3

Source: Progress Energy, Tampa Electric, Florida Public Service Commission

-Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer

Cold morning, cool day before temperatures dip again

[Lawren Louli braves the chilly morning while walking her two Australian shepherds along the shore at Lassing Park in St. Petersburg this morning. Dirk Shadd | Times]

Despite the promise of sunshine after a chilly night, don't expect too much of a warm-up today, forecasters say.

Temperatures will stay in the upper 50s or lower 60s for most of the day and again sink into the 40-degree range overnight. Northern counties may again be issued a freeze warning with temperatures there expected around 30 degrees tomorrow morning.

Early Thursday, freezing weather was recorded in Hernando and Citrus counties. Officials in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties also prepared for the temperature drop, opening several shelters.

Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez said temperatures will bounce back to about 80 degrees over the weekend. But, she said, the warming trend will be short-lived, another cold front is expected to move through late Monday and into Tuesday morning.

Check conditions throughout the day in our weather section. Here's a glance at current area temperatures:

[Image courtesy Bay News 9]

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Funeral plans announced for Ch. 10 weatherman Dick Fletcher

An announcement was posted to day on the WTSP-Ch. 10 Web site that a public memorial is planned for Saturday, with everyone in the bay area invited to say goodbye to iconic weatherman Dick Fletcher.

A "celebration of life" ceremony is set for 11 a.m. at the Suncoast Cathedral, 2300 62nd Ave. N in St. Petersburg. The announcement says that Fletcher's wife, Cindy Fletcher, is inviting "friends, family and all of Dick's fans" to the service.

Fletcher died Tuesday at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, after a stroke he suffered Feb. 18.

For more about the service, click here.

Times staff writer

Some areas could freeze tonight

Tom McDowell looks at the large Oak tree that split his Spring Hill home in two. No one was injured. [Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

The threat of another cold snap sent Tampa Bay area farmers scrambling today, as forecasters predicted temperatures could dip below freezing in some areas.

Temperatures are expected to hover in the low 40s across portions of the bay area and northern counties are under a freeze watch for tonight and Thursday morning. Overnight lows could fall into the 20s in Citrus and Hernando counties and the upper 30s in the Tampa Bay area.

Over the weekend, temperatures will bounce back to around 80 degrees, Clay said. But residents shouldn't pack away their winter wear yet. Another cold front could be coming Tuesday, he said.

The record low for the last week of February in Tampa is 27 degrees, recorded in 1967, according to the National Weather Service. In 1980, temperatures dipped to 29 degrees on March 3.

Officials in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties also prepared for the temperature drop, opening several shelters.

 

Northern storm delays Tampa flights

TAMPA -- A bitter winter storm that has shut down major airports in the Northeast is affecting flights at Tampa International Airport.

JetBlue, Delta, American, and Continental flights that were supposed to arrive in Tampa from New York, Newark and Boston have been canceled, and more have been delayed. Departing flights also have been canceled.

TIA spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said some airlines have been contacting passengers in the Tampa Bay area to let them know their flights have been canceled, and that their tickets will be honored later.

- Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

Bay area spared; South Florida hit with severe weather

[A school bus makes its morning rounds as dawn lightens the sky over Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs Wednesday morning. Jim Damaske | Times]
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TAMPA BAY -- A jet stream's shift to the southeast spared the Tampa Bay area of severe weather but left parts of rural South Florida to absorb the brunt of the overnight storms, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service in Ruskin canceled the tornado watch for the bay area at 4 a.m. The tornado watch for parts of South Florida remains in effect until 7 a.m.

The unstable air mass hovering above the Tampa Bay area was undercut by a low-level jet stream that carried toward the southeast, bringing severe weather to rural parts of the state. Severe damage was reported in Everglades City, and radar indicated tornado touchdowns in the Everglades and Big Cypress area, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Davis.

"We're lucky the dynamics shifted slightly," Davis said.

Although the Tampa Bay area was spared any severe weather, Davis said a line of showers moving toward the coast boosts the chance of rain to 60 percent this morning and again in the afternoon. Weak thunderstorms also are possible.

Forecasters said we can expect "cooler, drier and breezier" conditions this evening, giving way to a dry and sunny Thursday.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Fog rolls in, then out this morning

Kenneth Brown of Ridge Manor crosses Main Street in Brooksville on Monday morning as dense fog blankets the area. A dense fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Ruskin expired at 9 a.m. [MAURICE RIVENBARK | Times]

Dense fog advisory expires

Fog shrouds downtown Tampa this morning. [KEN HELLE | Times]  Fog also covers morning traffic on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in Clearwater this morning. [JIM DAMASKE  |  Times]

Although the skies remain hazy, the thick blankets of fog have lifted over most of the Bay area, prompting the expiration of the dense fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Ruskin this morning.

Visibility ranges were reported anywhere from 1 to 5 miles, but some areas saw visibility plummet to below 1/4 mile, according to a National Weather Service statement.

Earlier this morning, Highway Patrol officials reported limited visibility at the top of the Sunshine Skyway bridge and very thick fog at Interstate 75 line in Manatee County.

Winter weather conditions in Florida are the prime reason for the recent spat of foggy mornings. The thick morning fog can be explained on two irreversible factors: cool air and long nights.

Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez explains it like this:

On most winter nights, temperatures usually dip to the dew point, saturating the air with moisture and producing blankets of fog. And winter nights - typically a stretch of uninterrupted calm - prohibit swirling winds that could break those blankets apart.

In coastal regions, "sea fog" forms when when the dew point exceeds water temperatures. When that happens, sea fog forms and pushes on shore.

Those longer, cooler winter nights provide more time for fog to develop from about midnight until sunrise begins burning off the fog.

"Unfortunately, that usually happens during the morning commute," Marquez said.

Forecasters say the chances for fog diminish for Friday morning. Clouds will clear out this evening as a cooler, drier air mass is expected to move in, making way for a sunny Friday with highs expected in the low 60s.

Driving in the fog? Authorities say slow down, use low beam headlights and keep a safe distance between vehicles.

Get the latest on traffic here.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Rainy days should give way to sunny weekend

The Sailing Center in St. Petersburg is enveloped in fog this morning as Casey Barnes hoses down the hull of a 21-foot Sonar. The fog began to lift at mid morning. [James Borchuck | Times]

The Tampa Bay area got soggy last night, and downright swamped in some places, but things should brighten by this weekend.

The National Weather Service says 1.63 inches of rain fell at St. Petersburg's Albert Whitted Airport during the 24 hours that ended at 7 this morning, and 0.77 inches fell during the same period at Tampa International Airport.

The community weather site www.cocorahs.org shows reports of as much as 6 inches of rain falling in Zephyrhills in Pasco County, where parts of the downtown flooded. Bay News 9 reports that about 5 inches of rain fell on Wesley Chapel and Land O'Lakes and spots in northwest Hillsborough County.

But the rain chance for much of the Tampa Bay area drops to 30 percent today and 20 percent Thursday, the Weather Service said.

Look for mostly sunny weather Friday, with highs in the mid 60s, and most sunny weather Saturday with highs in the mid 70s.

- Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer

Chilly weather in the Tampa Bay area

[Ken Helle | Times]

Katey Glover, 24, keeps her hood up and her hands tucked into the sleeves of her USF sweatshirt as she tries to keep warm early this morning as she made her way through downtown Tampa on her way to work at B.F.G., a marketing and promotion firm.

Katey graduated from USF last year but moved back to Daytona to help her family.

When she was informed that she got "a great job with B.F.G." here in Tampa she moved back fast leaving all of her warm clothes in Daytona.

-- Ken Helle, Times staff

I-4 open in Polk County

Interstate 4 has reopened in both directions after Florida Highway Patrol officials closed a portion of the roadway this morning after troopers reported zero visibility on a stretch of highway in Polk County, Division of Forestry officials said.

The road closures began at 3:38 a.m., when troopers closed the westbound lanes between CR 557 and U.S. 27. About an hour later, troopers closed the same portion of the eastbound lanes, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Harold Frear.

The roadway was reopened shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, efforts by the state's Division of Forestry continue to battle portions of the fire, some of which are still smoldering.

"There's no visible flames on the fire, just some smoky sections on the interior," said Gerry LaCavera, a  wildfire mitigation specialist with the Division of Forestry.

LaCavera said bulldozers continue to clear pathways for fire trucks hoping to penetrate the perimeter of of the fire.

"There's still some areas smoking," LaCavera said.

Please return to tampabay.com for updates.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Cold temperatures expected overnight

Cold temperatures are expected overnight across the Tampa Bay region, a forecast that prompted Pasco County officials to  open a cold weather shelter in the First United Methodist Church of New Port Richey at 5901 Indiana Ave. Shelter space will also be available at the Holy Ground Homeless Shelter.

Bay News 9 meteorologist Brian McClure says the low temperature in St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa will be in the low 40s.

The low temperature for St. Petersburg and most of southern Pinellas county will be in low to mid 40s Tuesday morning. In the inland suburbs of Tampa, the temperature could drop to the mid to upper 30s. Inland parts of Pasco County could see temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. The low temperature in Brooksville could hit 29 degrees.

High temperatures across the area will hit the low 60s, McClure said.

-- Abhi Raghunathan, Times Staff Writer

Fog lifts; could disappear this weekend

Update: The expiration of today's morning dense fog advisory at 9 a.m. could be the end of widespread weekend morning fog in the Tampa Bay area, National Weather Service forecasters say.

Patchy fog is possible, but the invading cloud cover headed for the area tonight is less conducive to producing thick fog, said National Weather Service meteorologist Russell Hennes.

Today's highs are in the mid 70s near the coast and will peak in the low 80s inland.

Hennes said Saturday will be a virtual carbon copy of today's temperatures before a 50 percent chance of rain cools us off Sunday.

Although it's too early to tell, Hennes said cooler temperatures and stronger winds could disrupt any forming fog for Monday morning's commute.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

I-4 still closed; fog lifts

[Cars pulled over due to poor visibility along Highway 559, near I-4, as fog swept through the area this morning. Ken Helle | Times]
Traffic updates
Road conditions got worse quickly
Video from the scene | Photo gallery |  Share your photos

POLK CITY -- A 14-mile stretch of Interstate 4 remains closed, more than 24 hours after dense fog and smoke caused a disastrous chain of crashes on central Florida's main east-west highway.

By around 9:30 a.m., the fog had lifted and crews returned to work. Officials have not yet to decide whether to open the interstate later today.

"Don't even have a passing thought about driving on I-4 between Orlando and Tampa," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said just before 7 a.m.

Dense fog and smoke returned to the area early this morning, prompting officials to close more local roads and stopping repair work on I-4.

Wednesday morning's chain-reaction of crashes among 70 vehicles killed at least four people, sent 38 more to three hospitals and led officials to close I-4 indefinitely between the Polk Parkway and U.S. 27. 

Polk Sheriff's deputies have opened several smaller arteries they shut down earlier this morning. But due to limited visibility, they closed Old Grade Road between Ruseell road and I-4.

Cleanup and repair work started on I-4 Wednesday and continued until early this morning. Judd said his office put an additional 24 deputies on the road overnight working on setting up a perimeter and an extra 35 deputies are working now.

Bulldozers pushed debris. Crews dumped sand on the road. "There were semis hauling semis," Polk County Public Safety spokeswoman Heather McClanahan said.

Resurfacing and repair work stopped around 3:30 a.m. due to poor visibility.

"They couldn't see their hands in front of their faces," she said.

Earlier this morning, a tractor trailer drove off Polk City Road and into a ditch, but the driver was not injured, she said.

Tow trucks and wreckers have removed all the vehicles involved in yesterday's accident from the interstate.

The nearby fire that sent smoke into the roadway yesteday is 90 percent contained, but continues to smolder over about 500 acres, Polk County Assistant Fire Chief Rick Parnell said.

Local fire crews and the Department of Forestry are monitoring the blaze. How long it burns depends heavily on the humidity and vegetation, he said. Smoke could linger for weeks.

"We don't have enough water to put it out," he said. "It's something that rain will have to do."

Judd said officials are continuing to investigate Wednesday's crash and still have many unanswered questions about the fire.

"For every question you have, I probably have three," Judd told a group of reporters at the command center this morning. "I would have liked to have been in on the front end of this discussion before any of this began."

-- Catherine E. Shoichet, Times staff writer

Fog blankets area

Fog covers the Freedom Trail Bridge as early morning walkers and bike riders get in their early morning exercise Sunday. [Ken Helle | Times]

Rising temperatures and high humidity left the bay area covered in a blanket of thick fog Sunday. According to a National Weather Service forecast, area residents can expect a
mostly sunny day, with a high near 75.

 

Temperatures low, but rising

You can shake off a bit of the chills this morning as temperatures begin to rise today after yesterday's freezing cold snap.

Early morning temperatures throughout most of the Tampa Bay area hovered in the 40s but were expected to rise to the upper 50s to mid 60s by afternoon.

If that's not warm enough for you, don't fret.

Forecasters say the weekend weather will be spring-like as temperatures rise to the mid 70s Saturday and Sunday.

- Melanie Ave, Times staff writer

Temperatures dip to freezing and below

TAMPA -- Temperatures dipped to freezing and below throughout most of the Tampa Bay area this morning, but relief is on the way.

Even Pinellas County, where chilly readings are rare because it is surrounded on three sides by water, saw freezing weather this morning for the first time since 1979, said meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

Temperatures ranged between 24 in Hernando County, to 27 in parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, to 32 degrees in Pinellas.

A hard freeze warning is in effect until 9 a.m. and a freeze warning from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday. It is expected to dip into the 20s again in Hernando County overnight.

Temperatures are expected to rise to the 50s today and to climb to the 70s by the weekend.

If you think it feels colder than that, you would be right, according to Bay News 9 meteorologists. Wind chill readings mean the "feels-like" temperatures dropped to the teens and lower 20s.

The low temperatures were part of a cold front that moved in from Canada on New Year's night. Freezing weather was noted for at least six hours, causing many people to move their plants and pets indoors.

The low at the University of Florida weather station in northeast Hernando County was 24 degrees.    

- Melanie Ave, Times staff writer

Farmers wait, watch as crop thaws

[Billy Simmons of Simmons Strawberry Farms watches his strawberry crop just before sunrise. Chris Zuppa | Times]

DOVER -- Strawberry growers in eastern Hillsborough County battled broken water pipes and wind last night as they labored to protect their crops from below-freezing weather.

"Everybody thinks they're ready, then they have the impact," said Judi Whitson with the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, a grassroots nonprofit group with 4,800 member families in the county. "Some people get it worse than others."

Meanwhile, analysts with Florida's citrus industry they "dodged a bullet" this morning, according a statement issued by the Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual.

"This is good news for growers, good news for consumers and good news for the state of Florida," Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Michael W. Sparks said in the statement. "Mother nature cut us a break this time and now we can continue to produce the quality citrus crop Florida is known for."

Berry farmers say it will be later this afternoon - or possibly even this weekend - before they know the full impact the freeze had on their crop.

So far, though, it doesn't appear to be as devastating as some predicted.

"We've still got the water running," Rick Peacock, who operates Berry Patch Farms in Dover and Plant City, said early this morning. "The wind was pretty rough. It's kind of hard to tell right now how much damage there is."

Boyett's Grove east of Brooksville came through the night in good shape, said owner Kathy Oleson. She said even the most sensitive fruits -- lemons and limes -- suffered no damage.

"So far, it looks pretty good," Oleson said. "We got right to the edge, but the time frame was okay."

Cold fronts that extend for several nights with temperatures dipping into the teens are "when we worry," she said, and that's not expected to happen this week. She also noted that Boyett's groves sit on one of the highest spots in Florida, and that keeps the temperatures a bit warmer.

Strawberry growers spray water on the fruit to protect it from frost. If it's too windy, berries don't get covered properly and might not survive. Peacock estimated winds at 10 mph and said his lowest temperature reading was 27 degrees. The low at Parkesdale Farms, also in Dover, was 26 degrees.

Owner Gary Parke said an irrigation pipe burst at 10:30 last night and left 21 acres unprotected from the cold for 90 minutes, and that meant less water for another 60 acres. "We had some excitement," Parke said.

He anticipates at least some of his crop will be ruined.

Hudson shelter prepares for freeze refugees

HUDSON -- If the homeless of Pasco County can find their way to this small patch of land in Hudson, they will be warm during this cold snap. The people of Holy Ground shelter -- staffers and residents -- have been working day and night to make sure anyone who comes looking for help will be well taken care of.

The chapel has been turned into a makeshift shelter, with sleeping bags, blankets and pillows ready for anyone who shows up. A dozen people stayed there Tuesday night. At least that amount are expected throughout the cold weather. When they do come, they can have a hot shower and dry off with clean towels. There are comfy clothes there for them.

Mark Linebarier, a 41-year-old recovering addict who came to Holy Ground in October after being laid off from work and becoming homeless, is staying up all Wednesday night to feed people, regardless of what time they come. He's got pots of hot soup, warm bread with butter, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

"Helping people makes me feel good," he said Wednesday afternoon, as he checked supplies in the chapel. "To give is the best thing ever."

Holy Ground is located at 8835 Denton Ave. in Hudson at the northeast corner of U.S. 19 and Denton Avenue. The phone was not working Wednesday, but should be back up and running soon. The number is (727) 863-9123.

Donations of food, blankets and clothes are needed. If you have anything you wish to give, just stop by Holy Ground and someone will be there to thank you and take your donations.

Erin Sullivan, Times staff writer

Observe these safety tips while keeping warm

Weather experts, fire officials and a doctor offered several tips to help people prepare for and stay safe during tonight's cold snap:

Don't use these indoors: generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal burning devices. And don't use a barbecue grill indoors or in an enclosed porch or garage, even with the door open.

Avoid using the oven to heat your home. Fire officials say doing so is a fire hazard and can be a source of toxic fumes.

Use kerosene heaters with caution and maintain ventilation to avoid accumulating toxic fumes. Keep the units at least 3 feet from flammable objects. Refueling? Do it outside your home.

Use indoor space heaters only if they are attended and keep them away from flammable objects. Fire officials recommend space heaters that shut off automatically when tipped over.

Dennis Deruelle, a physician at University Community Hospital in Tampa, said people using gas furnaces or space heaters should be wary of signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, including headache and confusion.

Deruelle also warned that temperatures could be cold enough to cause hypothermia to someone who spends the night outdoors.

Plants should be covered with light cloth, not plastic.

- Casey Cora and Jan Wesner, Times staff writers

Pinellas and Hillsborough opening emergency shelters

These emergency shelters are opening tonight in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties because of freezing weather:

Pinellas

• Salvation Army, 1400 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg
• The Turning Point, 1801 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg
• Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6330 54th Ave N, St. Petersburg
• St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater
• First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, 501 E Tarpon Ave.

Hillsborough

• Salvation Army, 1514 N Florida Ave., Tampa (for adults)
• Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N Florida Ave., Tampa (for families)
• Good Samaritan Mission at Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St., Wimauma (for all)

Hernando opens emergency shelter

BROOKSVILLE -- Hernando County residents seeking refuge from sub-freezing weather tonight can find shelter at Jericho Road Ministries in Brooksville.

County officials have worked out an agreement with the church at 1040 Mondon Hill Road to accept the homeless or people whose homes are not equipped to handle the cold. About three or four families stayed at the shelter Tuesday night, said Tom Leto, Hernando County's emergency management director.

"There's plenty of room there, and they're always open," Leto said. "We encourage people not to rough it out in the woods."

For more information about Jericho Road and the shelter, call (352) 799-2912.

- Times staff writer

Pasco opens second cold-weather shelter

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Pasco County will have a second shelter for people to escape sub-freezing weather tonight.

As usual there will be the Holy Ground homeless shelter, 8835 Denton Ave., in Hudson.

But a new organization to help the poor, Fresh Start for Pasco, will operate a cold-weather shelter starting at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 5901 Indiana Ave., New Port Richey. The county, churches and nonprofit agencies are chipping in with cots, food and volunteers.

Pasco emergency management director Jim Martin said county officials are monitoring the weather, but no shelters are expected to be opened in central or east Pasco as of mid afternoon.

- Times staff writer

Few power outages reportes from cold

Energy officials will know later this morning whether the dip in temperatures overnight pushed electricity use to new heights, but said only a few outages were reported throughout the Tampa Bay area as chilly homeowners cranked up the heat.

Progress Energy spokesman C.J. Drake said the system handled the freezing temperatures well.

Tampa Electric spokesman Rick Morera said about 550 of its 675,000 customers in Hillsborough and Polk counties were without power. Some residents lost power in the Ybor City area, southern Hillsborough and in Winter Haven.

"There are little pockets here and there,'' he said. "They're scattered.''

Some local utilities expected record-breaking electricity use, since Floridians rely heavily on electric heat. Florida's energy use tends to peak in winter, precisely because so many people use electricity for heat, instead of oil or natural gas.

"We're certainly expecting more usage than normal because of the cooler temperatures,''  said Progress Energy's Drake.

Morera said early numbers indicate the company's electricity usage will not be a record.

"It doesn't appear we're going to set any new winter peak,'' he said.

A little snow falls on the Sunshine State

Snow flurries were reported this morning in parts of Brevard and Volusia Counties, the National Weather Service says.

Cold temperatures combined with strong north to northeast winds to produce "ocean effect snow" near Holly Hill and Ormond Beach.

Forecasters say the potential for additional flurries exists from Brevard County south through Indian River.

The snow isn't expected to stick. The flurries may continue into the morning before it changes over to very light rain or drizzle.

No snow was reported elsewhere in Florida. Forecasters say the last time it snowed in east central Fla. was Jan. 24, 2003.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Downtown Lake City, 1989. [Jack Rowland | Times]

The real cold is still to come

Record lows are expected across the region tonight as an Arctic blast from Canada continues to blow in, bringing below-freezing weather.

Temperatures could dip as low as 28 degrees in Tampa and near 30 degrees across much of Pinellas County as well, according to the National Weather Service in Ruskin.

Meteorologist Nick Petro said the last time it got that cold at Tampa International Airport was on Jan. 24, 2003. He said a new record could be set at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, where the temperature on Jan. 3 last hit the freezing point in 1979. 

When you factor in the wind, Petro said, temperatures could feel more like 15 or 20 degrees.

That has prompted the weather service to issue a wind-chill warning and to advise people to protect pets, plants and exposed pipes.

Petro said temperatures could be below freezing for several hours.

"It's going to be extremely cold," he said.

Cold enough to snow, even, if we weren't in the middle of a dry spell.That could happen, if we had some moisture," Petro said. "But the air is very, very dry."

Temperatures are expected to hover in the 40s for much of today before plunging tonight.

Clouds and wind near Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are expected to keep temperatures in most of coastal Pinellas and Hillsborough counties above freezing today, said Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker.

The chilly forecast has strawberry growers scrambling to prepare.

"The biggest concern for tonight is the wind," said Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wishnatzki Farms in Plant City.

Wishnatzki said workers at his 1,100 acres are picking as much as they can today, and also checking to make sure all the sprinklers are in working order.

Growers protect their berries by spraying them with overhead sprinklers throughout the night. The action of the water freezing on the berries generates heat which then protects the fruit, Wishnatzki explained.

But wind blows the water, meaning some berries won't get covered.

"If the wind doesn’t calm down, we’re in big trouble tonight," Wishnatzki said. "This is reminiscent of some of the bad freezes we had back in the '80s.''

Residents near Plant City and Dover are being advised to turn off well-water pumps tonight. Because farmers will be pumping more water, the aquifer could drop temporarily and cause pumps to burn out, county officials said. Pumps should remain off until the temperature rises Thursday morning.

It will be even colder in Hernando and Citrus counties, where temperatures could dip into the teens and prompt a "killing freeze" warning for the northern counties -- meaning temperatures below 28 degrees for more than three hours.

Gov. Charlie Crist issued an executive order this morning that temporarily allows trucks carrying produce to exceed usual height and weight restrictions. The intent is to give farmers as many options as possible for harvesting and processing crops before the freeze.

Billy Simmons, owner of Simmons Farms in Dover, spent New Year's Eve watching the University of South Florida Bulls play in the Sun Bowl in Texas. He planned to make a leisurely trip back home this week, but instead he and his wife left Tuesday and drove straight through -- 1,700 miles -- to get back and help prepare their 80 acres of strawberries for the potential freeze.

Simmons said the berries are particularly vulnerable because this is the first cold snap of the year.

"They haven’t acclimated to any cold weather," he said.

The cold, dry air in the midst of a drought also makes the area vulnerable to wildfires, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a warning through 5 p.m.

The cold snap will be short-lived. After a chilly Thursday, forecasters say temperatures will escalate into the 70s by the weekend.

- Casey Cora and Jan Wesner, Times staff writers

Forecast image courtesy of Bay News 9

Photo: Stuart McCray, left, and Dale Robinson stand in the cold and windy weather this morning in Spring Hill as they get ready to pave a road. Click to enlarge. [Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

Cold weather shelters opening around bay area

Pinellas County authorities are opening cold weather shelters for the homeless tonight and tomorrow night.

The shelters will open about 6 p.m. and will close about 6 a.m. Guests will get a hot evening meal and breakfast in the morning.

Shelter locations are:

• St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, (727) 585-7443
• First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs, 501 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, (727) 937-3271
• Salvation Army of St. Petersburg, 1400 Fourth St. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 821-9123
• The Turning Point, 1801 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, (727) 823-7811 
• Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6330 54th Ave N, St. Petersburg, (727) 544-4551

In Pasco County:

• Holy Ground Homeless Shelter, 8835 Denton Ave., Hudson

In Hillsborough County:

• Salvation Army, 1514 N Florida Ave., Tampa (for adults)
• Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N Florida Ave., Tampa (for families)
• Good Samaritan Mission (South County) at Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St., in Wimauma. (for all).

Fog, rain today before midweek cold snap

Fog shrouds downtown Tampa this morning as members of the women's rowing team from the University of Michigan row up the channel between Davis Islands and Harbour Island. [Ken Helle | Times]
Pockets of thick fog have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a dense fog advisory for parts of the bay area this morning.

Motorists are encouraged to keep a safe distance between cars, drive slowly and use low-beam headlights.

The advisory is expected to be lifted about 9 a.m.

Bay News 9 forecasters say temperatures will reach the upper 70s today, with a 50 percent chance of rain. High temperatures will hover in the high 60s and low 70s Tuesday before a cold snap drops the mercury considerably.

Forecasters say temperatures will plummet by Wednesday and Thursday, with highs in the 50s and lows reaching into the 30s. Northern counties could see low temperatures in the 20s.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Fog advisory this morning

A lone seagull flies by while downtown Tampa, seen from Ballast Point Park, emerges through an early-morning fog this morning. [KEN HELLE | Times]

TAMPA BAY -- With visibility reduced to less than a quarter mile in some places, the National Weather Service in Ruskin issued a dense fog advisory for much of the Tampa Bay area this morning.

Forecasters are advising drivers to slow down, keep a safe distance between vehicles and use low-beam headlights. Expect highs from the mid 70s at the gulf beaches to around 80 inland. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest near the coast during the afternoon.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Power restored to nearly 15,000 homes

TAMPA -- Officials with Tampa Electric Co. are reporting a nearly complete restoration of power to the nearly 15,000 customers left in the dark during severe weather over the weekend.

"It's safe to say we've got pretty much everybody back in," said company spokesman Rick Morera. "Any weather-related outages we experienced are certainly under control."

Morera said some small, scattered outages are possible. Those customers are encouraged to call 1-877-588-1010 or visit the company's Web site for more information.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Week starts cold, will end warm

   

[Dave Carlin of Seminole vacuums debris out of the pool at Anglers Cove Condominium complex, Redington Shores. Scott Keeler | Times]

A wind-chill advisory is in effect this morning with the day's high temperature forecast to peak at 59 degrees with a low near 38 degrees. Cold air began moving into the Tampa Bay area this weekend, with freeze warnings in effect for Citrus and Hernando counties, according to Bay News 9.

Things will start warming up a little Tuesday, with a possible high of 67 and low of 39, and temperatures are expected to inch up over the course of the week. Predictions for Saturday include a high of 78 and low of 61 with some clouds.

Weather warnings continue

The National Weather service issued more warnings for the Tampa Bay area Sunday morning as the cold front that brought high winds and rain throughout the night continued on its path across Florida.

Forecasters warned that high pressure building in the region is expected to generate eight to 12 foot waves off the coast, weakening come Monday morning. Offshore winds over the eastern Gulf will be 20 to 30 knots.

On shore, winds are expected to to continue to gust at 20 to 25 mph until later Sunday afternoon.

Boaters are advised to postpone plans until conditions improve.

--Times staff writer

Tornado watch issued for Tampa Bay area

Weather forecasters have issued a tornado watch for the Tampa Bay region, to last through 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

An oncoming cold front is expected to push a squall line of strong thunderstorms into the area late tonight, beginning roughly at midnight and clearing the area by sunrise Sunday. Locally heavy rains are possible, which may cause minor flooding of low-lying and poor-drainage areas, as well as roadways.

The National Weather Service is reporting the highest risk for severe weather from the Tampa Bay area northward through the Nature Coast.

In addition to strong winds and heavy rain, the storms are expected to cause heavy waves offshore, with seas building to 5 to 7 feet overnight, building to become as strong as 8 to 12 feet well offshore. Boating conditions are rough, and the National Weather Service warns small craft operators to postpone trips into the gulf until conditions improve over the next few days.

Times staff writer

Cold weather set to sweep through bay area

The leftovers of Tropical Storm Olga will combine with a cold front to produce gusty winds and strong thunderstorms across the bay area overnight, forecasters say.

But the stormy weather should start to break Sunday morning, ushering in some of the coldest weather since the start of fall.

Lows Sunday are expected to be in the high 30s to low 40s, and the high Monday is forecast to reach only about 60.

Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler, Times staff writer

Out-of-season tropical disturbance forms, heads west

Forecasters are monitoring a tropical disturbance causing heavy rains and strong winds about 250 miles east of Puerto Rico and moving west at 20 mph, according to a statement issued by the National Hurricane Center this morning.

So far, the system doesn't appear to be a threat to Florida, and  "environmental conditions are only marginally favorable for development," the statement said.

Still, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Virgin Islands are in line for heavy rainfall and wind speeds approaching those of a tropical storm.

Isn't hurricane season over?

Experts say even though the formal timetable has expired, out-of-season storms are possible. But those systems don't develop as quickly and can be broken up more easily, said National Hurricane Center senior specialist John Franklin 

A tropical disturbance, he said, is "somewhat unusual, but certainly not unheard of."

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Cold front will bring in cooler weather

The sun burns through the foggy sky this morning as fishermen skim across Lake Tarpon near A.L. Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs. [JIM DAMASKE | Times]

Grab a jacket.

A short-lived cold front will move cooler air across the bay area today, dropping temperatures throughout the day and pushing Tuesday's early-morning lows into the 40s and 50s, forecasters say.

Wednesday could be more of the same, with highs peaking in the 60s across the area, said Bay News 9 meteorologist Juli Marquez. In Hernando County, the mercury may even drop into the 30s.

Temperatures will bump back up by Thursday, when highs return to the upper 70s and lower 80s.

For updated weather information, please visit our weather page.

- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Foggy morning slows commute

Runners make their way down Bayshore Boulevard in the dense fog early Friday morning. [Carrie Pratt | Times] View more fog photos

With visibility reportedly down to less than a quarter of a mile, here are some tips for navigating the foggy roads, courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol:

• Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.


• Slow down - and watch your speedometer - before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor