Brooksville, Florida

... Freeze watch in effect from late Wednesday night through
Thursday morning...

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay area - Ruskin FL has
issued a freeze watch... which is in effect from late Wednesday
night through Thursday morning.

A much colder and drier air mass will move into west central and
southwest Florida later tonight and Wednesday in the wake of a
cold front. This colder air mass will allow temperatures to run
some 10 to 15 degrees below normal on Wednesday with daytime highs
only expected to reach the lower 50s across the Nature Coast with
strong gusty winds making it feel even colder. During Wednesday
night surface high pressure will nose itself into the region from
the north. Lighter northerly winds combined with the cold dry air
mass will allow temperatures to fall off quickly after sunset... with
readings dropping to near freezing after midnight... then bottoming
out in the upper 20s towards sunrise on Thursday morning.

Residents living in the freeze watch area should take protective
measures to ensure that temperature sensitive plants are covered
or brought indoors Wednesday evening. Pets should also be brought
indoors. Residents planning to be outdoors late 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.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A freeze watch is issued for the potential of a widespread and
damaging freeze within 24 to 48 hours. During the freeze
period... temperatures may remain below 32 degrees for more than 8
hours.




Jcm/jlc

... Red flag warning in effect from noon to 6 PM EST Wednesday...
... Fire Weather Watch in effect Thursday afternoon...

The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay area - Ruskin FL has
issued a red flag warning... which is in effect from noon to 6 PM
EST Wednesday. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued. This
Fire Weather Watch is in effect Thursday afternoon. The Fire
Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

Relative humidities will fall below 35 percent for several
hours... bottoming out 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.

Dry conditions will remain in place for Thursday afternoon with
several hours of humidities below 35 percent possible. Minimum
relative humidities are again expected around 25 percent
inland... with 30 to 35 percent along the coast.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A red flag warning is issued when very favorable conditions for
the spread of wildfire are occurring now... or will occur within
24 hours.

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