THE STORM IS ENDING...

The weather event known as Hurricane Wilma is coming to an end, at least here in West Central Florida. In Lakeland, it is still raining, but lighter, and along the Gulf Coast over in the Tampa Bay area the skies are beginning to clear. The temperature has dropped considerably during the past several hours, as a cold front has crossed through the area.

Here in Polk County, approximately 500 people stayed at five shelters opened across the southern areas (Frostproof/Fort Meade/Lake Wales/Mulberry/Bartow) last evening; they are in the process of closing now. There was reportedly some flooding along State Road 60 and reflooding of one lake in the Lake Wales area.

Here is the most recent condition reports from the various National Weather Service sites, as of just before noon:

Miami International Airport - Temp 75 / Winds W 41 Gusts 52 MPH

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport - Temp 71 / Winds W 45 Gusts 62 MPH

West Palm Beach/Palm Beach International Airport - Temp 71 / Winds NW 76 Gusts 100 MPH

Fort Myers/Page Field - Temp 68 / Winds NW 32 Gusts 46 MPH

Sarasota/Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport - Temp 69 / Winds N 29 Gusts 44 MPH

Fort Pierce/St. Lucie County International Airport - Temp 73 / Winds NW 37 Gusts 63 MPH

Lakeland/Lakeland Linder Regional Airport - Temp 57 / Winds NW 25 Gusts 35 MPH

Winter Haven/Gilbert Field - Temp 57 / Winds NW 25 Gusts 34 MPH (From Weather Bug)

St. Petersburg/Whitted Airport - Temp 70 / Winds N 26 Gusts 39 MPH

Tampa/Tampa International Airport - Temp 65 / Winds N 28 Gusts 40 MPH

Orlando/Orlando International Airport - Temp 60 / Winds N 30 Gusts 35 MPH
Melbourne/Melbourne International Airport - Temp 67 / Winds N 39 Gusts 55 MPH

UPDATE 1:00 PM: For the first time today, the sun has finally come out as the skies begin to clear. The rain has now ended.