ARRL West Central Florida Section

SECTION MANAGER ANNOUNCES CABINET LEVEL CHANGES AT TAMPA BAY HAMFEST

At the ARRL forum on Saturday December 10, 2022, Mike Douglas W4MDD, Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section, announced the following changes to his cabinet, which involves many current cabinet members changing to different cabinet positions.  The following changes, became effective on Tuesday December 13, 2022:

Bill Johnson N4NOA, who lives in Brandon in Hillsborough County, has been appointed to be the new Section Emergency Coordinator.  Johnson was previously the Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL Southern Florida Section in the early to mid 1980’s.  At that time, nine of the ten counties of the ARRL West Central Florida Section was part of the ARRL Southern Florida Section.  Johnson succeeds Christine Duez K4KJN who had been Section Emergency Coordinator since August 2021.

Christine Duez K4KJN, who lives near Lake Wales in Polk County, was appointed to be the new Public Information Coordinator.  Duez succeeds Mike Lunsford KB4FHP, who had been Public Information Coordinator since early 2021.

Mike Lunsford KB4FHP, who also lives near Lake Wales in Polk County, was appointed to be an Assistant Section Manager as Public Safety Liaison.  Lunsford in addition to having served as Public Information Coordinator since 2021, has also served as the President of the Lake Wales Radio Amateurs since January 2022, and was just re-elected to a second term for 2023.

A few more changes, announced during the ARRL forum at the Tampa Bay Hamfest on Saturday December 10, 2022, will be released when they take effect on January 1, 2023.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

 

 

K9VX AND W4CWJ ARE THE 2022 ELLEN WHITE W1YL AWARD RECIPIENTS

For the first time in the history of the Ellen White W1YL Award, there are two recipients of the award.  The Ellen White W1YL Award was established in 2016 in memory of Ellen White W1YL, who recently became a Silent Key in November of 2022.  The Ellen White W1YL Award is to name the amateur radio operator who has made the greatest contribution to amateur radio in the ARRL West Central Florida Section.

The 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award recipients are Tom Chance K9XV and Chuck Johnston W4CWJ. Tom Chance K9XV, being active in Charlotte County ARES since he moved here following retirement in 2015, has been the ARRL Emergency Coordinator for Charlotte County since April 2021.  Chance led Charlotte County ARES in its response to the landfall of Hurricane Ian in late September of 2021 and early October of 2022, which occurred in Charlotte County.  Charlotte County ARES remained in service for two weeks following landfall.  Chuck Johnston W4CWJ, Assistant Section Manager for Rural Communities since February 2021, is the coordinator for the Sarasota Agricultural Recovery Group (SARG) since its inception in 2010, obtained his amateur radio license in 2015, and successfully integrated amateur radio into SARG.  In addition, Johnston led SARG in the recovery following the landfall of Hurricane Ian, and planned the exercises “High and Dry” in 2021 and “High and Dry – Part 2”, earlier in 2022.  For detailed biographies of Chance please go to http://arrlwcf.org/news/2021/07/29/wcf-section-press-release-21-35/ and for Johnston please go to http://arrlwcf.org/news/2021/03/15/wcf-section-press-release-21-12/.

Mike Douglas W4MDD, Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section, made the following comments about Chance and Johnston receiving the 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award, “This year we had three nominees for this annual award. They were Thomas Chance, K9XV, Charles Johnston, W4CWJ and Paul Toth, NB9X. Paul Toth had sent a glowing and heart felt letter in support of Tom Chance.  As this was a very challenging Hurricane season and the three candidates were all deserving of the Ellen White Award. It was a tough call as who should receive the award. As Section Manager I have made the decision to award both Charles Johnston and Thomas Chance the Ellen White Award for 2022. I and on behalf, I’m sure, most if not all Amateurs in West Central Florida Section owe a very large thanks to Paul, Chuck and Tom for their yeoman efforts, this extreme year.”

The ARRL West Central Florida Section congratulates Tom Chance K9XV and Chuck Johnston W4CWJ on being named the 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award recipients.  The 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award will be presented at the ARRL forum during the Tampa Bay Hamfest on Saturday December 10, 2022.  The West Central Florida Group, the owners and operators of the NI4CE Repeater System, have sponsored a one year ARRL membership for one of the recipients, and an anonymous donor has sponsored a one year ARRL membership for the other recipient.

For all the details and history of the Ellen White W1YL Award you may go to http://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/white-award/.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

SECTION NET CANCELLATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

In observance of the Tampa Bay Hamfest, Christmas, New Years holidays, and in keeping with tradition, the following Section nets will be cancelled during the month of December:

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES and Information Net on 3940 KHz scheduled for 0730 EST on Saturday December 10, 2022 will be cancelled due to the operation of the Tampa Bay Hamfest.  The net will resume normal operation on Saturday December 17, 2022 for the last time in 2022.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES and Information Net on the NI4CE Repeater System scheduled for 1930 EST on Monday December 19, 2022 and Monday December 26, 2022 will be cancelled.  This net will resume normal operation on Monday January 2, 2023.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section Technical Net on the NI4CE Repeater System scheduled for 2100 EST on Thursday December 22, 2022 and Thursday December 29, 2022 will be cancelled.  This net will resume normal operation on Thursday January 5, 2023.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES and Information Net on 3940 KHz scheduled for 0730 EST on Saturday December 24, 2022 and Saturday December 31, 2022 will be cancelled.    This net will resume normal operation on Saturday January 7, 2023.

The Eagle Net, the NTS traffic for the ARRL West Central Florida Section, on the NI4CE Repeater System scheduled for 2030 EST daily, will operate as scheduled throughout the holidays, as it is an NTS traffic net.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

NWS RUSKIN ACTIVATING WX4TOR FOR SKYWARN RECOGNITION DAY 2022

(Note: This is the corrected version, with the correct link for the Skywarn Recognition Day page that was received after the original bulletin was disseminated. Our apologies to all for any confusion.)

Coming up on Saturday December 3, 2022, will be the 2022 Skywarn Recognition Day.  Skywarn Recognition Day will run from 0000 UTC til 2400 UTC on Saturday December 3, 2022, which works out to be from 1900 EST on Friday December 2, 2000 until 1900 EST on Saturday December 3, 2022.  Skywarn Recognition Day was started in 1999 and has been done annually ever since.  The following is an excerpt from the NWS Skywarn page as to the reason for Skywarn Recognition Day:

“Amateur radio operators comprise a large percentage of the Skywarn™ volunteers across the country. The Amateur radio operators also provide vital communication between the NWS and emergency management if normal communications become inoperative.

All Skywarn™ spotters provide critical weather information before, during and after adverse weather strikes. This includes reports of rain and snow, ice and wind, storms and tornadoes, flooding and fire. This is our 24 hours to recognize all of the Skywarn™ spotters serving our nation!“

For more information about Skywarn Recognition Day you may go to the Skywarn Recognition Day page at https://www.weather.gov/tbw/srd2022

As part of Skywarn Recognition Day, you can add your ‘dot’ to the Skywarn Recognition Day Spotter Map, that is being hosted on the national Skywarn Recognition Day website. The link to do so is on the Skywarn Recognition Day page, in a bulleted point underneath the ARRL Operating Instructions link. This link will take you to a registration form where the town of your address will then be pinned on the map.  The National Weather Service is requesting that as many Skywarn spotters check in via this method as possible.  This will be open for registrations through December, 3, 2022.

The National Weather Service Office in Ruskin will be activating WX4TOR for Skywarn Recognition Day.  WX4TOR will be monitoring the NI4CE repeater system if you would like a quick check-in during the event.  For information on the NI4CE Repeater System you may go to https://www.ni4ce.org.  WX4TOR will also be trying to contact as many hams as possible on VHF, UHF, HF, and a few on EchoLink.  The hours of operation of WX4TOR will be on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 1900 EST until 2200 EST and on Saturday December 3, 2022 from 0800 EST until 1600 EST.

If you are interested in operating WX4TOR for a time slot, please contact Dan Noah WX4DAN, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, via email at daniel.noah@noaa.gov.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

MIKE DOUGLAS W4MDD ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM AS SECTION MANAGER AND MICKEY BAKER N4MB AS DIVISION DIRECTOR.  JEFF BEALS WA4AW ELECTED AS VICE DIRECTOR.

 

On Friday November 18, 2022 ballots in the election cycle for Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section and the ARRL Southeastern Division were counted.  The following was the results of that count:

Michael Douglas W4MDD was unopposed for re-election and was declared elected.  Douglas has served as Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida Section since January 1, 2021.  Douglas will begin his second term as Section Manager on January 1, 2023.

Jeff Beals WA4AW, won a three way re-election bid to become the new ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director.  Beals has previously served as the ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director from 2009-2013, and Section Manager of the ARRL Southern Florida Section for two terms from 2015-2018.  Beals will take office as Vice Director on January 1, 2023.  Beals succeeds Jim Schilling KG4JSZ, of Haines City, in Polk County, who had served as Vice Director since January 1, 2020, who did not seek re-election as Vice Director.

Mickey Baker N4MB won a four way re-election bid for a second term as ARRL Southeastern Division Director.  Baker has served as Division Director since January 1, 2022.  Baker will begin his second term as Division Director on January 1, 2023.

For full details of the ARRL Southeastern Division election you may read the ARRL News article at http://www.arrl.org/news/2022-arrl-board-of-directors-election-results.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

NOMINATIONS FOR ELLEN WHITE W1YL AWARD FOR 2022 ARE OPEN.  ELLEN WHITE W1YL NOW A SILENT KEY.

Nominations for the 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award for are now open.  Nominations for the 2022 Ellen White W1YL Award may be via the Section website Contact and Information Form at http://arrlwcf.org/section-forms/contact-info/.  The Ellen White W1YL Award is given by the ARRL West Central Florida Section each year to honor the amateur radio operator who has made the greatest contribution to amateur radio in the ARRL West Central Florida Section for the current calendar year.  Due to this news release being late this year, nominations for the Ellen White W1YL award will close on Wednesday December 7, 2022.  The recipient of the award will be announced on Friday December 9, 2022 at the Tampa Bay Hamfest and the award will be presented to that recipient during the ARRL forum at the Tampa Bay Hamfest on Saturday December 10, 2022.

The namesake of the award, Ellen White W1YL, recently became a Silent Key on Saturday November 5, 2022.  White was 95 years old at the time of her passing.  White was appointed by Darrell Davis KT4WX in 2016, Section Manager of the ARRL West Central Florida section at time, due to her contributions to amateur radio over many years, which included being in amateur radio for 75 years and working at ARRL HQ for 25 years.  White resided in the Brandon area in Hillsborough County, for the last few years of her life and was still active on CW via an HF remote station.

For details on the Ellen White W1YL Award, you may go to the Section website Ellen White W1YL Award page at http://arrlwcf.org/wcf-special-events/ellen-white-w1yl-award/.  For a detailed article on the life of Ellen White W1YL, please go to the ARRL News article published on November 7, 2022 at http://www.arrl.org/news/ellen-white-w1yl-silent-key-devoted-lifetime-to-amateur-radio-and-arrl.

END OF PRESS RELEASE

SECTION NET CANCELLATIONS FOR THANKSGIVING

In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, the following Section Nets will be cancelled:

The South Florida ARES Net, which includes a roll call of the ARRL Southern Florida Section and ARRL West Central Florida ARRL Section counties, scheduled for 0745 hours, on Thursday November 24, 2022, and on 3940 KHz, will be cancelled.  The South Florida ARES Net will resume its normal operation on Friday November 25, 2022 at 0745 hours.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section Technical Net scheduled for 2100 hours, on Thursday November 24, 2022, and on the NI4CE Repeater System, will be cancelled.  The ARRL West Central Florida Section Technical Net will resume its normal operation on Thursday December 1, 2022 at 2100 hours.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES Net scheduled for 0730 hours on Saturday November 26, 2022 on 3940 KHz will be cancelled.  The ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES Net will resume its normal operation on Saturday December 3, 2022 at 0730 hours.

In the near future, the Section Net cancellation schedule for the upcoming Christmas and New Years holidays will be published via a WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE.

The ARRL West Central Florida Section wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving Day and weekend.

END OF PRESS RELEASE.

TROPICAL STORM NICOLE – 2100 EST – 11/10/22

Hurricane Nicole made its first landfall just south of Vero Beach in Indian River County around 0300 EST this morning, crossing the State of Florida, through the north end of Polk County and Pasco County, exited the west coast in northern Hernando County around 1300 EST, and made a second landfall in Dixie County near 1600 EST this afternoon.  Nicole is expected to continue its northwest track and cross into Georgia late this evening.  Nicole time as a tropical system is expected to come to an end tomorrow as it merges with a trough by the end of the day on Friday.

COASTAL WATCHES/WARNINGS AND FORECAST CONE FOR STORM CENTER

SUMMARY OF 0700 PM EST…0000 UTC…INFORMATION

——————————————————————————————–
LOCATION…30.0N 83.8W
ABOUT 40 MI…65 KM SE OF TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 15 MPH…24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…990 MB…29.24 INCHES

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* The Flagler/Volusia county line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Aripeka to Indian Pass Florida

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida
* Anclote River Florida to Ochlockonee River Florida

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

The following excerpt is from the Forecast Discussion issued at 1600 EST today:

“The center of Nicole briefly emerged over water north of Tampa around 18Z and is now straddling the coast of the Florida Big Bend region northwest of Cedar Key. An earlier scatterometer overpass showed winds of about 40 kt west of the center over the Gulf of Mexico, and this is the main basis for the initial intensity of 40 kt. Surface observations indicate that the central pressure has risen to near 990 mb. In addition to weakening, the 34-kt wind radii associated with the storm have decreased, particularly in the northeastern quadrant. This has resulted in significant changes to the warnings with this advisory.

The initial motion is now 315/13, and this motion is expected to persist through this evening with the center moving into the eastern Florida Panhandle. Subsequently, a low- to mid-level ridge to the northeast of Nicole should move farther eastward as a deep-layer mid-latitude trough and associated surface cold front are approaching from the west. This evolution should cause the storm to turn northward tonight over Georgia, followed by a faster motion toward the north-northeast on Friday. The new forecast track has only minor adjustments from the previous track.

Little change in strength is expected until the center moves farther inland tonight. When that happens, Nicole should weaken to a depression over Georgia. On Friday and Friday night, the system is expected to become post-tropical and be absorbed by the large mid-latitude weather system.”

SITUATION AND ACTIONS:

All tropical storm watches and warnings for the ARRL West Central Florida Section were discontinued earlier this afternoon.  With the discontinuation of tropical storm watches and warning, all ARES groups have just demobilized in the last few hours.

Due to the demobilization of ARES groups of three counties, the ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES Alert Level will be discontinued.

All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel are encouraged to continue to check each advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami on Tropical Storm Nicole and the Tropical Weather Outlook issued four times daily by the National Hurricane Center.

LATEST NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER INFORMATION:

Public Advisories: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT2+shtml/072333.shtml?

Forecast Advisory: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCMAT2+shtml/072100.shtml?

Forecast Discussion:  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT2+shtml/072057.shtml?

Latest GOES Satellite Floater Images and Loop:  https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/floater.php?stormid=AL172022#navLink

CONCLUSION

This will be the last WCF SECTION SPECIAL BULLETIN for Tropical Storm Nicole.

HURRICANE NICOLE – 2100 EST – 11/09/22

Tropical Storm Nicole earlier today finally obtained minimum hurricane status, Category 1, around 1800 EST this evening.  Nicole is currently traveling west and should shortly begin its anticipated turn to the northwest.  Landfall is predicted at the present time to be in Martin County around 0100 to 0200 EST tomorrow morning.  After landfall, Nicole is expected to weaken as it travels across the State of Florida and temporarily entering the Gulf of Mexico from Hernando or Citrus Counties around 1300 EST tomorrow before making a second landfall in either Taylor or Jefferson county around 2000 EST tomorrow evening and then traveling north in Georgia by early Friday morning.  At this point restrengthening in the Gulf of Mexico is unanticipated.  Shortly afterward, Nicole should begin its merger with a trough and become absorbed by that trough.

COASTAL WATCHES/WARNINGS AND FORECAST CONE FOR STORM CENTER

SUMMARY OF 0700 PM EST…0000 UTC…INFORMATION

——————————————————————————————–
LOCATION…26.6N 78.5W
ABOUT 20 MI…30 KM ENE OF FREEPORT GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND
ABOUT 100 MI…160 KM E OF WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…75 MPH…120 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 13 MPH…20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…980 MB…28.94 INCHES

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* The Abacos, Berry Islands, and Grand Bahama Island in the northwestern Bahamas
* Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Bimini in the northwestern Bahamas
* Hallandale Beach Florida to Boca Raton Florida
* Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to South Santee River South Carolina
* North of Bonita Beach to Indian Pass Florida
* Lake Okeechobee

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* North Palm Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida
* Anclote River Florida to Ochlockonee River Florida

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton Florida
* Lake Okeechobee

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass Florida
* South of North Palm Beach to Hallandale Beach Florida
* Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

The following excerpt is from the Forecast Discussion issued at 1600 EST today:

“The satellite presentation of Nicole has not changed much since late this morning. Curved bands of convection wrap around much of the circulation and there has been a ragged eyewall in radar data from both the Bahamas and Miami. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft reported a minimum pressure of 985 mb and peak 850-mb flight-level winds of 72 kt during its final pass through the center and northwestern portion of the storm as Nicole made landfall on Great Abaco Island in the northwestern Bahamas just prior to 1700 UTC. Those aircraft data still supported an intensity of 60 kt, and that remains the initial intensity for this advisory.

Recent center fixes show that Nicole is moving westward or 270 degrees at 11 kt. A mid-level ridge located to the north of the cyclone is expected to shift eastward causing Nicole to turn west-northwestward to northwestward tonight. This motion should bring the center onshore the coast of southeastern or east-central Florida overnight, and across the Florida peninsula Thursday morning. As Nicole passes over north Florida late Thursday, a mid-latitude trough moving into the central United States is expected to turn the cyclone or its remnants northward and then northeastward across inland portions of Georgia and the Carolinas. The dynamical model guidance is in good agreement during the first 12 to 24 hours, with some increase in spread during the recurvature portion of the forecast. The updated NHC track forecast is very similar to the previous advisory through 24 hours, but is slightly west thereafter to be close to the latest consensus aids.

Nicole still has about 12 hours in which to strengthen. Given the slightly improved inner core structure and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream that Nicole will be traversing, the forecast still calls for the cyclone to reach hurricane status before reaching the east coast of Florida. After landfall, weakening should occur as the center cross the Florida peninsula. Even if the center briefly emerges over the extreme northeastern Gulf of Mexico, re-intensification is not expected. Nicole is forecast to weaken further over the southeastern United Sates, and then dissipate along a frontal zone moving into the eastern United States by 60 hours.”

SITUATION AND ACTIONS:

At the present time, Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for all counties in the ARRL West Central Florida Section.  Polk, Hardee, Highlands, and Desoto Counties.  A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for Coastal Pasco County.

At the present time, Hillsborough County ARES/RACES is staffing a special needs shelter.  Hardee County ARES and Highlands County ARES are staffing shelters in their respective counties.  Other ARES groups are monitoring their situations carefully in case they are requested to activate.  There was no other information on ARES activations available at press time.

Due to activations of three counties, the ARRL West Central Florida Section ARES Alert Level went to a Level 2, which is a partial activation, at 1800 EST, earlier this evening.

All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel should have brought to completion any preparation activities.  All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel are encouraged to continue to check each advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami on Hurricane Nicole and the Tropical Weather Outlook issued four times daily by the National Hurricane Center.

LATEST NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER INFORMATION:

Public Advisories: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT2+shtml/072333.shtml?

Forecast Advisory: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCMAT2+shtml/072100.shtml?

Forecast Discussion:  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT2+shtml/072057.shtml?

Latest GOES Satellite Floater Images and Loop:  https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/floater.php?stormid=AL172022#navLink

CONCLUSION

The next WCF SECTION SPECIAL BULLETIN will be issued tomorrow following the 1600 EST advisory on Tropical Storm Nicole, unless conditions warrant a sooner bulletin.

TROPICAL STORM NICOLE – 2100 EST – 11/08/22

Subtropical Storm Nicole earlier today obtained full tropical characteristics now that it has convection near the center and is now Tropical Storm Nicole.  Nicole is expected to continue westward, then slightly southwestward in response to high pressure to the north, and then with an approaching cold front and trough, will eventually turn to the north and then northeast.  The timing of the high pressure moving out and the arrival of next trough and cold front will determine the final path of Nicole.

COASTAL WATCHES/WARNINGS AND FORECAST CONE FOR STORM CENTER

SUMMARY OF 0700 PM EST…0000 UTC…INFORMATION

——————————————————————————————–
LOCATION…27.3N 74.3W
ABOUT 250 MI…400 KM NE OF THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS
ABOUT 360 MI…575 KM E OF WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…65 MPH…100 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WSW OR 250 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…984 MB…29.06 INCHES

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…
* The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, and Grand Bahama Island in the northwestern Bahamas
* Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Andros Island, New Providence, and Eleuthera in the northwestern Bahamas
* Hallandale Beach Florida to Boca Raton Florida
* Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Lake Okeechobee

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for…
* North Palm Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
* Mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton Florida
* Lake Okeechobee
* Flagler/Volusia County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* South of North Palm Beach to Hallandale Beach Florida
* Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
* Anclote River Florida to Ochlockonee River Florida

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* South of Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef Florida
* North of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River Florida
* North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina.

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

The following excerpt is from the Forecast Discussion issued at 1600 EST today:

“Satellite imagery indicates that the central convection associated with Nicole has become better organized this afternoon, with a curved convective band wrapped about three-quarters of the wayaround the center. An earlier scatterometer overpass showed winds
near 45 kt about 60 n mi northwest of the center, and a just received microwave overpass shows an additional increase in organization. Based on these data, the initial intensity is
increased to 55 kt. Water vapor and air mass imagery shows a large area of mid- to upper-level dry air over the southern semicircle of the circulation, and some of this may be entraining into the core at this time.

Nicole is continuing its anticipated turn with the initial motion now 260/9. A strong deep-layer ridge over the eastern United States should steer the storm west-southwestward during the next 24-30 h, with this motion bringing the center near or over the Northwestern Bahamas. After that time, the ridge is forecast to shift eastward allowing Nicole to turn westward to west-northwestward as it approaches the east coast of Florida.
There is some spread in the guidance as to how much of a turn will occur, with the ECMWF and GFS showing a more westward motion, while the HWRF and HMON show a more northwestward motion. This part of the forecast track is along the south edge of the guidance and agreement with the ECMWF and UKMET. After landfall in Florida, Nicole should turn generally northwestward, with the center forecast to pass near or over the west coast of Florida north of Tampa by about 48 h. This should be followed by a turn toward the north and northeast through the eastern United States as the cyclone
recurves on the east side of a large baroclinic trough moving through the central United States. This part of the forecast track is closer to the various consensus models, and overall the new forecast track is a little south of the previous track through 60 h
and a little west of the previous track after that time.

Nicole will be traversing relatively warm SSTs of 27-28 degrees Celsius and upper-level conditions, while not ideal due to a nearby upper-level trough, are expected to allow some strengthening before the cyclone reaches Florida. The new intensity forecast follows the
previous forecast and calls for Nicole to become a hurricane when it is near the northwest Bahamas and remain a hurricane when it reaches Florida. This part of the intensity forecast is at the high end of the intensity guidance. Weakening is expected after Nicole moves inland over Florida and while it accelerates northeastward over the southeastern United States. Extratropical transition is expected to start between 60-72 h and be complete by 96 h, with the storm likely to maintain gale-force winds after transition. The cyclone is expected to dissipate as it merges with another mid-latitude low pressure area by 120 h.”

SITUATION AND ACTIONS:

At the present time, Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Polk, Hardee, Highlands, and Desoto Counties.  Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties.

Hillsborough County ARES/RACES has gone to a Level 3 activation as they have been  requested to stand by to provide communications for some shelters.  Hardee County ARES has been requested to provide communications for one shelter and the EOC, starting tomorrow.  Other ARES groups are monitoring their situations carefully in case they are requested to activate.  There was no other information on ARES activations available at press time.

All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel are encouraged to rush to completion any preparation activities by 1200 EST tomorrow.  All ARES, ACS, and CERT personnel are encouraged to continue to check each advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami on Subtropical Storm Nicole and the Tropical Weather Outlook issued four times daily by the National Hurricane Center.

LATEST NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER INFORMATION:

Public Advisories: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT2+shtml/072333.shtml?

Forecast Advisory: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCMAT2+shtml/072100.shtml?

Forecast Discussion:  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT2+shtml/072057.shtml?

Latest GOES Satellite Floater Images and Loop:  https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/floater.php?stormid=AL172022#navLink

CONCLUSION

The next WCF SECTION SPECIAL BULLETIN will be issued tomorrow following the 1600 EST advisory on Tropical Storm Nicole, unless conditions warrant a sooner bulletin.