We are right now within what should be the depth of winter, at least First Coast style. The average high is 63 degrees which is the low point of winter (any northerners will laugh at that!). But we're in a very mild stretch of temps. that will include highs far above avg. -- well into the 70s though the sea breeze will have a tendency to keep afternoon temps. cooler at the beaches. A building problem, however, will be the wildfire danger. Humidity will generally be low with little chance for rain of any
consequence anytime soon.
National Hurricane Center Director, Bill Read, is retiring effective the beginning of the hurricane season, June 1st (part of Read's early career included Jacksonville). I've managed to develop a good working relationship with Mr. Read in his 4 yrs. as director, & I hate to see him go. It seems 5 or 6 yrs. is about the max. for a hurricane center director -- a job that can be very intense & extremely busy. Click
here for a story on Bill's retirement from the Orlando Sentinel. The photo below is from the Fl. Governor's Conference in Ft. Lauderdale last May.
The stormy year that was 2011 will be costly for insurance companies -- click here -- & could lead to higher auto insurance rates -- click here.
Until recently the winter has been mild resulting in an economic boon of sorts across much of the U.S. Consumers are saving money by not having to use as much fuel to heat homes while cities have saved money that would otherwise be used for snow removal -- click here for the story.
