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FLORIDA CONTENDS WITH RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES AND
INCREASED FIRE HAZARDS

April 19, 2001 — An arctic cold front reached deep into south central Florida Wednesday night setting record low temperatures as far south as Fort Myers, according to NOAA's National Weather Service. Temperatures ranged from the low 30's in the north to the mid 40's in central and southeast Florida. (Click on NOAA satellite image of Florida fires taken April 17, 2001 for larger view.)

NOAA's National Weather Service recorded an overnight low of 48 degrees at the official measuring station at Tampa International Airport breaking an 80 year old record of 49 degrees set on this date in 1921. The low at Fort Meyer's Page Field was 49 degrees surpassing the previous record of 50 degrees set in 1956. At Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, the low was 46 degrees, which broke a 39 year old record of 50 degrees established in 1962.

Other Florida cities experiencing record lows include Jacksonville (36 degrees), Tallahassee (33 degrees) and Orlando (44 degrees). Daytona Beach tied it's previous low of 43 degrees set in 1997.

Meanwhile, Florida firefighters continue to battle wildfires throughout the state. The Florida Division of Forestry reports up to 100 firefighters and volunteers were called to fight a 4,500 acre wildfire in Sarasota. The fire damaged several homes and vehicles, forced the evacuation of a residential area and caused a temporary shutdown of portions of Interstate 75.

In Osceola County, a wildfire threatened up to 100 homes and caused dozens of people to evacuate. Firefighters brought that blaze under control with minor damage and no injuries. Another wildfire burned 14,000 acres in an uninhabited area in Okeechobee County.

Since the beginning of the year, 2,102 wildfires have burned more than 162,000 acres in Florida. Low humidity and strong winds are expected to create an increased risk for wildfires. No precipitation is expected in the area until next week.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's Fire Weather Information Center

NOAA's National Weather Service Southern Region

Media Contact:
Ron Trumbla, National Weather Service Southern Region, (817) 978-1111 ext. 140

 

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