Macdill Air Force Base, Florida

... Freezing temperatures and low wind chills possible late Wednesday
night and early Thursday morning along with hazardous boating conditions...

An area of low pressure will across the Gulf today. A trailing cold
front from this low will move through west central and southwest
Florida later this afternoon and early tonight. Areas of rain and
showers will precede the front then much colder and drier air will
move into the region later tonight and Wednesday on a brisk northwest
to northerly wind flow in the wake of the front. This colder air
mass may bring freezing temperatures to interior sections of the
Nature Coast with some near freezing temperatures possible over
interior sections of west central Florida by early Thursday morning
as strong cold high pressure builds in from the north.

The colder temperatures combined with the gusty winds may also
produce low wind chill readings in the lower to mid 20s over the
Nature Coast and upper 20s to lower 30s over the remainder of west
central Florida late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

In addition to the cold temperatures and low wind chills strong
and gusty northwest to north winds will make for very hazardous
boating conditions over the Gulf waters and area lakes. Northwest
to north winds are expected to increase into the 20 to 25 knot
range with higher gusts tonight with seas building to 4 to 6 feet
near shore and 7 to 10 feet offshore with these conditions expected
to continue through early Thursday. Fishermen and other small craft
operators may want to postpone trips into the Gulf until conditions
improve later in the week. Outdoor enthusiasts may also wish to
postpone lake related activities until conditions improve.

The much drier air mass will also allow humidity values to fall below
35 percent for several hours on Wednesday. These low humidity values
combined with gusty winds will increase the spread of any fire that
may develop over the region. Residents should be extra careful with
any outdoor open flame.

Residents and visitors of west central and southwest Florida should
take protective measures to ensure that temperature sensitive plants
are covered or brought indoors Wednesday night. Pets should also be
brought indoors. Residents planning to be outdoors late tonight and
again Wednesday night and early Thursday morning should dress warmly
to protect themselves from the cold. Several layers of clothing will
insulate you better than a single coat or jacket.

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further
updates.


McMichael

... Fire Weather Watch in effect Wednesday afternoon...

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay area - Ruskin FL has
issued a Fire Weather Watch... which is in effect Wednesday
afternoon.

Relative humidities are expected to fall to around 25 percent over
the interior and between 30 and 35 percent near the coast
Wednesday afternoon. North to northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph will
create conditions favorable for the rapid spreading of wild fires.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field.