Andrea/ Fires threaten as Wilma Recovery Continues!

As the volunteers continue to work on recovery efforts from Hurricane Wilma, these volunteers traveled from Washington State to come to rural South Florida and help as fires and subtropical storm Andrea threatens.

The Web site, titled "Florida Wild Fires and Climate Extremes," explains how Florida's unusual weather led to the fires.The unusually wet mild winter in Florida promoted abundant growth in the underbrush. This weather was immediately followed by a severe drought during April, May and June, which rapidly dried out the dense underbrush. This combination – wet and mild in the winter, dry and hot in the summer -- provided abundant fuel to the wildfires throughout Florida.Details on recent abnormal weather, including temperature and precipitation as well as drought indices, are available on the Web site. Links to related Web sites, such as NOAA satellite imagery of the fires and the fire forecast, are provided. The Web site can be reached at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/research/1998/fla/florida.html


Subtropical Storm Andrea Forms off Florida/Georgia Coast…
Aircraft and satellite reconnaissance data from this morning indicate that the area of low pressure hovering off the Florida/Georgia coast has acquired subtropical characteristics, meaning that the system exhibits characteristics common to both tropical and non-tropical systems. At 11 AM EDT, the center of Subtropical Storm Andrea was located about 140 miles northeast of Daytona Beach, meandering west near 3 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. The official forecast calls for gradual weakening during the next 24 hours, with the center of Andrea remaining offshore. The strongest winds are well away from the center and should remain offshore, but there is the potential for tropical storm force winds to affect the immediate coastal areas of northeastern Florida; therefore a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Flagler Beach, FL northward to Altamaha Sound, GA. Impacts from Andrea will occur mainly over the marine areas, but gusty winds along with dangerous surf and some beach erosion will be possible along the northeastern Florida coast. Winds are forecast to decrease across the state by week’s end. Rainfall amounts will not be impressive since most of the rainfall will remain offshore, so the potential for a "drought-busting" rain event will be slim. As Andrea weakens and drifts closer to the state, however, moisture levels across Northeast and East-Central Florida will increase, bringing a slightly increased chance for isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms this weekend.