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On again, off again sweats
Temperatures will roller-coaster from near freezing to the 70s over the next 48 hours.
By CRISTINA SILVA AND RICK GERSHMAN
Published February 18, 2007
Winter weather that enveloped much of Florida lately will return late today, bringing temperatures in the 20s and 30s to some areas. High temperatures were expected to hit the mid 50s today, but the bad news is that the warmer air comes with a threat of forest fires. The National Weather Service put a fire weather warning into place for today for Florida because of a combination of low humidity and 20 mph or higher winds. "That means the humidity will be below 35 percent," said weather service meteorologist Richard Rude. "With those conditions, any fires that do begin would spread rapidly, and the drier area makes any grasses or brush more easily to ignite." The threat should pass by this evening, when a cold front will move across the state. Temperatures were predicted to dip into the low 30s tonight and Monday night. A freeze watch was put into effect near Tampa and New Port Richey for early Monday morning, because temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees about 5 a.m., Rude said. Warm weather should return by Tuesday, when highs are expected to be in the mid 70s. It will be a welcome break for Tampa Bay area residents. Early Saturday morning, temperatures dipped to 32 degrees in Tampa, nearly 20 degrees lower than the average for this time of the year. In St. Petersburg, the low was 43 degrees. Brooksville had a low of 22 degrees. Plant City strawberry grower Carl Grooms said temperatures at his strawberry farm fell to 26 degrees Friday night, but he believed he rode out the chill without any major damage. The plants were sprayed with water to coat them with ice and protect them from cold winds. "You're worried any time you have to put water on them, but it looks like we got through okay," Grooms said. "We had a wind come through about 4 a.m. and it warmed up for a little there, but then it got cold again. But now we have to get ready for another one Sunday." Cristina Silva can be reached at 727-893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com. 48/57 0.0 21/57 (0.0) 31/63 (0.0) 34/59 (0.0) 32/67 (0.0) 35/58 (0.0) 33/66 (0.0) 36/60 (0.0) 41/58 (0.0) 35/60 (0.0) 40/58 (tr) Beverly Hills | 22 | 61 | 0.00 | | Brooksville | 27 | 58 | 0.00 | | Crystal River | 31 | 52 | 0.00 | | Dunedin | 39 | 66 | 0.00 | | Floral City | 23 | 60 | 0.00 | | Hernando Beach | 28 | 64 | 0.00 | | Indian Rocks Bch | 37 | 58 | 0.00 | | Inverness | 20 | 60 | 0.00 | | Pinellas Park | 35 | 84 | 1.55 | | South Pasadena | 40 | 59 | 0.00 | | Spring Hill | 26 | 55 | trace | | St. Pete Beach | 42 | 60 | 0.00 | | Tyrone | 36 | 57 | 0.00 | Complete weather forecast, 2A
[Last modified February 18, 2007, 00:28:17]
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