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Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin Florida 
742 PM EDT Wednesday Mar 17 2010 


Discussion...skies have been variably cloudy this evening some 
areas becoming mostly clear for a while and others completely 
overcast. This is difficult to show in the grids but 60 percent 
sky cover is a good average. The evening showers are still 
marching across the Gulf so will keep those in the grids for now 
as well. No updates planned to the zone forecasts at this time 
but may update later tonight when and if the showers move out of 
the area. 


&& 


Aviation...brief MVFR visibilities from light rain may impact 
Fort Myers and regional southwest terminals with showers in the 
vicinity of Tampa...Saint Petersburg and Sarasota terminals 
through 18/02z this evening...otherwise scattered to broken 
strato-cumulus clouds with ceilings heights at or above fl050 will 
maintain VFR conditions though a tempo period of MVFR ceilings will 
be possible between 1806/1810z. Surface winds from the west 
northwest around 10 knots will increase into the 12-16 knot range 
after 18/15z on Thursday. 


&& 


Marine...winds and seas are higher than expected with 20 to 25 
knots at the offshore buoys and seas of 5 feet at 42036 and 6 
feet at 42009. Models have not captured this very well so updated 
the grids to reflect stronger winds and higher seas. With a 
trajectory from the west-northwest...we could see 5 to 6 footers 
in the nearshore waters tonight before the gradient weakens and 
winds start to subside. Will update the coastals with small craft 
advisories for the waters beyond 20 miles but keep exercise 
caution going between the coast and 20 miles. Otherwise...the rest 
of the forecast will remain unchanged. 


&& 


Tbw watches/warnings/advisories... 
Florida...Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening 
for Charlotte-Citrus-De Soto-Hardee-Hernando-Highlands- 
Hillsborough-Lee-Levy-Manatee-Pasco-Polk-Sarasota-Sumter. 


Gulf waters...Small Craft Advisory until 4 am EDT Thursday for 
Bonita Beach to Suwannee River out 20 to 60 nm. 


&& 


$$ 


Discussion/marine...jillson 
aviation...McMichael