Wind and humidity return to Manatee County this week

SARASOTA, Fla. Persistent northeast winds and returning humidity will define the weather pattern in Manatee County for the remainder of October. While sunny skies dominate the forecast for Tuesday, the atmosphere remains active with gusts reaching 30 mph on land and hazardous conditions on the water.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through 8 p.m. Wednesday for Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Gulf coastal waters. Northeast winds will sustain 20 to 25 knots Tuesday and Wednesday, with gusts near 30 knots. Seas are expected to reach 3 to 5 feet, occasionally around 6 feet. These conditions pose a risk for smaller recreational vessels.

Meteorologists attribute the strong winds to a tight pressure gradient across the peninsula. High pressure sits north of Florida while a stalled boundary remains to the south. This setup drives air movement and keeps the wind profile elevated. The boundary is expected to drift northward by Wednesday, allowing deeper moisture to spread into the state.

Rain chances are low along the coast but will increase inland. Wednesday afternoon showers are possible with a 30% probability around Sarasota and Bradenton. Precipitable water values may climb to 1.5 to 2 inches, providing sufficient moisture for scattered showers. Dew points will rise into the upper 60s and potentially the lower 70s, making the air feel more humid despite daytime highs in the mid to upper 80s.

Halloween weekend will remain mostly dry. Saturday highs are forecast to reach 86 degrees, with a slight chance of an afternoon shower. Evening temperatures will drop to the lower 70s. Sunday will be warm with highs in the mid 80s. Humidity will be noticeably higher than earlier in the week due to continued easterly winds transporting Atlantic moisture.

The Hunter's Moon reached its full phase early Monday morning. It will remain bright through Tuesday evening, potentially washing out fainter stars. The Orionid meteor shower remains active into early November, though moonlight will limit visibility. The best viewing opportunity will occur before dawn away from city lights.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1. Clocks move back one hour at 2 a.m. This change will cause sunset to appear an hour earlier on the clock. Conditions on the water are expected to improve gradually as winds ease Thursday and Friday.