Weather

Florida is looking at a warmer and drier than average winter season according to outlooks from NOAA. This follows a trend of higher-than-average temperatures in the last month and a drought persisting on the Panhandle due to low precipitation rates. Hurricane Nicole helped alleviate dry conditions mostly across Central and North Central Florida.

Nicole made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with estimated maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour early Thursday morning near Vero Beach.

Counties in Florida have started calling evacuation orders and opening shelters as Nicole approaches.

As Tropical Storm Nicole nears the east coast of Florida several counties have opened shelters in anticipation of impacts from the growing storm.

Invest 98-L is forecast to bring rounds of heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge to Florida's east coast by midweek.

A large non-tropical area of low pressure will likely develop in the southwestern Atlantic this weekend and track toward Florida or the southeast U.S. It is expected to be very broad and disorganized at first, but if certain conditions are present, development into a sub-tropical or tropical system is possible early to mid-next week.

La Niña is expected to lead to a warmer and drier winter across Florida during the upcoming winter season for the third consecutive winter.

Temperatures could fall below freezing over the interior peninsula on Tuesday night. Below average temperatures to occur over the state through the rest of the week.

Thank a high-pressure system and northerly, dry winds for the beautiful weather since Hurricane Ian blasted through Southwest Florida on September 28.

Due to the rising Myakka River, I-75 was shut down in both directions Friday night from mile marker 179 (North Port / Toledo Blade Blvd) to mile marker 191 (Englewood / Jacaranda Blvd). The road reopened Saturday afternoon.