Many places got the much needed rain Fri. afternoon, but the rain once again favored northern parts of the area. Rain was at least a quarter of an inch ... but up to an inch ... along & north of a Starke to Bostwick to St. Augustine line. Much of Putnam & Southern St. Johns Co. missed out on the rain while amounts reached between 1 & 2" in a few locations north of Lake City into a few spots in Southeast Ga.
Our weekend will feature an influx of drier air & warm temps. One caveat, however, is the weakening front that will be drifting south. With the front near I-10 in Northeast Fl., a few showers will be possible in the morning. By afternoon the front should be near Gainesville, Palatka & Crescent Beach which will be the favored area for an afternoon shower or storm. By Sun., the front should be far enough south so that the First Coast has a partly to mostly sunny, breezy & warm day with showers & storms confined to Central & South Florida.
We'll be heating up again next week with high temperatures near 90 Tue. through Fri.
I'm still getting pic's from the Sun. storms (tornadoes in S.E. Ga.). Check out this one from Naomi Pickett from Jax, but the photo is from near Kingsland as afternoon storms -- cumulonimbus clouds -- billowed up into a very unstable atmosphere. This is the cell that eventually produced a tornado near St. Simons Island.
Fri., May 16th is "Endangered Species Day". Get info. here.........
Earth Gauge: Beneficial Biking
According to the 2006 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 79 percent of Florida residents drove to work alone, two percent used public transportation, and four percent walked or used another alternate form of transportation. Choosing alternative transportation - walking, biking, or using transit - can save a typical work commuter about 600 dollars and 1200 miles on their car each year. It also helps alleviate traffic congestion, saves time, and protects air quality.
Tip: May is Bike to Work Month and this is Bike to Work Week - the perfect time to try two-wheeling to work! Research has shown that the length of about half of all car trips – three miles – can be covered as quickly on a bike when parking and traffic delays are taken into account.
Learn more about Bike to Work Week, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists.
Get bicycle safety tips from the Federal Highway Administration here.
Weather is not cooperating? Try a new bus route, hop on the train, or call a friend to carpool.
(Sources: US Census, American Fact Finder. Florida: Selected Housing Characteristics, 2006. factfinder.census.gov; It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air: Alternate Modes of Transporatation. ; League of American Bicyclists. "Ride for the Environment."; McKay, K. and J. Bonnin. “True Green: 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to A Healthier Planet.” The National Geographic Society, Washington, DC.)
