FW: WEATHER BULLETIN

Wed Feb 4 10:59:57 PST 2009

  _____  

From: William D. Abernathy [mailto:billyabernathy at polkfl.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:53 PM
Subject: WEATHER BULLETIN

A HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM EST THURSDAY.
THE ARCTIC AIR WILL OVERSPREAD THE AREA TONIGHT AND A HARD

FREEZE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED. LOWS BY THURSDAY MORNING WILL BE IN THE
LOWER 20S IN THE NORMALLY COLDER LOCATIONS AND AROUND 30

DEGREES NEAR THE COAST. A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING
TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL 

KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION. A FREEZE WARNING IS ISSUED
FOR 3 OR MORE HOURS OF TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 27 AND 32 OVER A 

WIDESPREAD AREA. RESIDENTS SHOULD COVER OR MOVE INDOORS ANY COLD
SENSITIVE PLANTS...AND BRING PETS INDOORS THIS EVENING.

SIGNIFICANT FREEZES FORECAST NEARLY STATEWIDE  

~ Wind Chill Warnings in Effect Tonight for all of East Central Florida
and the Treasure Coast ~

TALLAHASSEE - State emergency management and fire officials are urging
residents throughout the Sunshine State to practice the “Five P’s” of
cold weather safety as the latest arctic blast brings the coldest
temperatures of the winter to the Florida peninsula during the next two
nights.  

A frigid and exceptionally dry air mass has funneled into the state
behind an arctic cold front. The high pressure center that is driving
this frigid air mass southward will remain situated over the Tennessee
River Valley tonight.  This feature will keep northwesterly winds in the
10-15 mph range through Thursday morning across much of the peninsula.
These winds in combination with below freezing temperatures will produce
wind chills in the teens as far south as Lake Okeechobee.  Wind chill
warnings have been issued for all of east central Florida and the
Treasure coast through Thursday morning.  Hard freeze warnings have been
posted into interior south and southwest Florida tonight, including
interior Collier and Palm Beach counties.  Freeze warnings are in effect
for all of Florida except for coastal Miami-Dade County and the Keys.

The polar high pressure center will settle over north Florida on
Thursday evening.  This will allow winds to diminish nearly statewide,
setting the stage for heavy frost formation on Friday morning.  A hard
freeze and near record low temperatures are again likely for most
interior sections of the peninsula.  

Please remember to practice the "5 P's of cold weather safety" this
week:

1.	Protect People 

2.	Protect Pets 

3.	Protect Plants 

4.	Protect Exposed Pipes 

5.	Practice Fire Safety 

“This air mass may bring even colder temperatures than the state
experienced in late January,” said State Meteorologist Ben Nelson.
“Many residents and businesses will be using space heaters or fireplaces
and we are urging them to do so safely.”   

Residents should check the operation of their smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors, making sure to replace the old batteries.
Electrical extension cords need to be in proper condition and correct
rating for the heater.  Persons should not overload wall plugs and
individual circuits with multiple appliances.   

Some important safety tips to keep in mind from the Division of State
Fire Marshal: 

Ø  Have gas heaters and other gas appliances checked for leaks or
damage. 

Ø  Check and clean air conditioners for any dust that could spark a fire
when turned on for the first time. 

Ø  Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, walls and
drapes. 

Ø  Clean chimneys regularly and do not burn anything in the fireplace
other than firewood. 

Ø  Keep children and pets away from any flame or fire source. 

Ø  Review and practice your family’s fire escape plan.   

Billy Abernathy, FPEM

Polk County Emergency Management

EOC Coordinator

Office  863-519-7478 

Pager  863-501-0170

Fax  863-519-7485

Email   <mailto:williamabernathy at polkfl.com> williamabernathy at polkfl.com

"You may not be able to control the situation, but you can always
control your reaction."

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.lakelandarc.org/pipermail/cq-lakelandarc.org/attachments/20090204/921227d5/attachment.html>