Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for Tampa Bay Area

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — While the Tampa Bay area is expected to see a string of cooler, drier days as a cold front moves through the region, the news isn’t entirely good. According to the National Weather Service, the front is expected to create potentially hazardous conditions on local waters while raising fire risks after it passes.

Forecasters anticipate the front will bring increased north to northwest winds on coastal waters throughout the region. Those winds could create potentially hazardous conditions for small boat operators. With that in mind, a small craft advisory has been issued for Saturday night through Sunday morning. The advisory affects coastal waters throughout the region, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Manatee counties.

High pressure expected to move in behind the cold front as the weekend comes to a close is expected to prompt continued dry weather throughout the region. Forecasters say relative humidity values are likely to “dip below critical levels both Sunday and Monday afternoon.” A fire weather impact statement has been issued for the entire region, as a result.

Earlier this month, the Florida Forest Service issued a warning about enhanced wildfire risk as dry conditions continued. At that time, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam reported that 2,489 wildfires had damaged 69,467 acres across the state so far in 2016.

The state estimates that nearly 20 percent of its wildfires are caused by yard trash burns that have embers escape. Human carelessness, in fact, is the leading cause of wildfires in the Sunshine State, Putnam said.

In the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties, the fire danger risk ranged from moderate in Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Hillsborough counties on Friday, Nov. 18, to very high in Manatee County. The risk in Sarasota County was high, according to the state.

To prevent wildfires, the state recommends these tips when using fire outdoors:

• Never leave a heat source or fire unattended
• Avoid burning items on windy, dry days
• Keep a water source or fire-suppression tool on hand
• Make certain fires meet the state’s requirements for setbacks
• For burn piles larger than 8 feet or acreage burns, residents should call the Florida Forest Service for authorization
• Make sure fires are completely extinguished before leaving

For more information on wildfires, county burn bans and fire dangers, visit the state’s website.

The Tampa Bay area’s dry streak is likely to continue over the next few days at least, according to the weather service. Rain chances don’t move into the picture until Wednesday at the earliest, according to forecasters at The Weather Channel. Even then those chances are only set at 10 percent.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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