Boating is a favorite outdoor activity in Florida, but sudden changes in weather can turn a pleasant day into a dangerous situation.
Typical weather across the inland and coastal waters of Florida poses many hazards to small boats. Many types of warnings, watches and advisories to inform boaters of potential weather-related dangers are issued by the National Weather Service offices as well as the National Hurricane Center. Local weather service offices also issue a short term forecast that covers a period up to six hours so boaters can plan their days on the water.
The NOAA Weather Radio is the best way to receive weather warning and forecast information from the local National Weather Service. Current weather information is broadcasted on different radio frequencies across Florida, 24-hours per day, 365 days a year. NOAA Weather Radios have alarm systems that alert people of warnings, watches and advisories. For more information visit the National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio Website.
It is important that boaters be aware of any changes to current weather conditions. Some examples of dangerous weather that can occur across Florida's waters include strong winds, rough seas, lightning and waterspouts. Generally, wind gusts of 34 knots or more are strong enough to capsize small boats, especially when they catch the boater off-guard. Strong winds can cause rough seas and most small boats have difficulty maneuvering in seas of five feet or greater. Sustained winds of only 18 knots can produce seas of five feet across most bodies of water in Florida, and wind gusts of 34 knots or greater can produce seas greater than eight feet. When these dangerous conditions exist, Special Marine Warnings are broadcast via weather radio to alert boaters.
Florida is considered the thunderstorm capital of the United States with the Tampa area having the highest frequency of days per year with thunderstorms. Since lightning is produced by all thunderstorms, Florida usually leads the nation in lightning related fatalities and injuries - many of which occur over the water.
Lightning is also a hazard for boaters. There are no warnings for lightning issued by the National Weather Service, the short-term forecast and marine weather statements alert to the possibility of lightning strikes.
Waterspouts are similar to tornadoes over water. Waterspouts are generally broken into two categories, fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
Tornadic waterspouts are simply tornadoes that from during severe thunderstorms over water and have the same characteristics and dangers as tornadoes over land.
Fair Weather waterspouts are usually less dangerous than tornadic waterspouts and are generally not associated with thunderstorms. The term, Fair Weather, comes from the fact that this type of waterspout forms during fair and relatively calm weather. Fair weather waterspouts usually form along dark flat bases of a line of developing cumulus clouds. Tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm while a fair weather waterspout begins to develop on the surface of the water and works its way upward. The best way to avoid a waterspout is to move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent line of movement. Never move closer to a waterspout as some can be just as dangerous as tornadoes.
Information on this page was taken from the Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness 2002 Publication. This publication was a project of the Florida Warning and Information Network in cooperation with the National Weather Service Florida Offices.
For more information on Hazardous Weather Awareness visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management online.