[LakelandARC] FW: WEATHER BULLETIN

Wed Feb 4 11:20:33 PST 2009

At 2:00 pm here in south Lakeland the dewpoint is 16 degrees and falling, not a good trend. 

My best guess for minimum temperature tonight is 17-20 deg. in rural areas, 21-24 deg. in suburban areas and 25-28 deg. in urban areas. With a north wind of 8-16 mph it will be difficult to protect decorative plants and flowers as well as crops. The wind chill will temperature will be between 5-15 degrees.

Tonight may be the coldest since February 5, 1996.

Take Care,
Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF
Lakeland, FL, USA
meteorologist at tampabay.rr.com

CWOP #AR692/KN4LF
CoCoRaHs #FL-PK-18
NWS Skywarn #POL-10A

Lakeland, FL Daily Climatological Weather Data Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf22.htm 
Harmful Man Induced Climate Change (Global Warming) Refuted: http://www.kn4lf.com/globalwarminglie.htm 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Evans Mitchell KD4EFM / AFA4TH FL / WQFK-894 
  To: LakelandARC at yahoogroups.com ; PolkEmComm at yahoogroups.com ; POLKGMRS at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:59 PM
  Subject: [LakelandARC] FW: WEATHER BULLETIN

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    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  williamabernathy at polkfl.com

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

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