Aug 16, 2024by: Larry Dorminy No Comments

Is Tampa Bay in hot water? Fred Pickhardt

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Is Tampa Bay in hot water?

Fred Pickhardt

Aug 15

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According to a recent news article Tampa Bay is facing some serious environmental issues. A massive untreated wastewater spill during Hurricane Debby has added to existing concerns about the health of the area’s estuaries. The storm overwhelmed the sewage systems, leading to millions of gallons of raw and partially treated wastewater spilling into streets, canals, and natural waterways.

Two day Storm Rainfall Totals
Turning on the Heat
The article further highlights that sea surface temperatures in Tampa Bay and nearby estuaries are rising significantly faster than the global average. It reports that in July 2023, surface water temperatures in Manatee Bay hit a record-breaking 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit.
I decided to investigate the claims about the record high water temperature in Manatee Bay. The station reporting this temperature is part of a network of specialized observation sites in the Everglades, designed to monitor water depth and fresh water flow in shallow, mangrove-rich areas.
The shallow waters of the Everglades experience significant temperature fluctuations due to varying amounts of sunlight, cloud cover, wind, and rainfall. The unusually sunny and dry conditions, along with lighter winds in the spring and summer of 2023, contributed to higher temperatures at the Manatee Bay site. It’s important to note that data from the Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN), which tracks water levels across the freshwater Everglades landscape, is not suitable for comparison with ocean buoy data.

EDEN Manatee Bay Station | U.S. Geological Survey
What’s going on here?
Between 1970 and 2020, the sea surface temperature (SST) of the Gulf of Mexico increased by about 1.0°C (1.8°F), which corresponds to a warming rate of 0.19°C (0.34°F) per decade or 0.019°C (0.034°F) per year. Initially, SST anomalies in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic tracked closely with the global SST trend. However, since around 1990, these anomalies have started to rise more rapidly. This time period also marks the beginning of the warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), which is likely contributing to the accelerated warming in both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

Ref https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/36/8/JCLI-D-22-0409.1.xml

Rapid Ocean Warming in 2023

The article cites meteorologist Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami, who notes that the Gulf of Mexico’s temperatures “really went off the rails last spring, and they haven’t gotten back to the rails since then.” I concur that the 2023 water temperatures indeed were exceptionally high.
In my view, the unusual warming in the North Atlantic, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, is largely attributable to a combination of factors. Firstly, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) is in its warm phase, which raises baseline sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic. Secondly, the effects of an El Niño event and unusually weak trade winds have also played significant roles.
During 2023, sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the Tropical North Atlantic surged notably in the spring and summer. This warming can be attributed to the weakening and southward displacement of the Azores-Bermuda ridge as shown below in the June 2023 surface pressure anomaly chart. This ridge’s weakening diminished trade winds, leading to reduced upper-ocean mixing and evaporative cooling. Concurrently, there was less cloud cover and Saharan dust, fewer sulfate particles due to cleaner shipping fuels, and increased stratospheric water vapor from the Hunga-Tonga undersea eruption. These combined factors facilitated the rapid warming of the ocean surface.

June 2023 Surface Pressure Anomaly

Tampa Bay Sea Surface Temperatures

Have sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in Tampa Bay been rising significantly faster than global averages and even those in the Gulf of Mexico?

To address this, I examined the average SSTs for July and August, which are typically the warmest months in Tampa Bay, to determine if there is an accelerated warming trend. Using data from “seatemperature.info,” it is evident that SSTs in Tampa Bay for July and August 2023 were notably higher than in previous years, with data available from 2007 onward.

Note Purple dot denotes El Nino Year
Source: https://seatemperature.info/july/tampa-bay-water-temperature.html

A quick calculation indicates that the warming trend for Tampa Bay from 2007 to 2022 was approximately 0.07°F per year which is about twice the longer-term rate of 0.034°F per year (1970-2020). However, including the 2023 data, the trend rises to 0.10°F per year, representing an increase of about 43%. This suggests that the temperatures in July and August of 2023 were anomalously high, and incorporating this data might skew the long-term warming rate.

To better understand whether 2023 represents a one-time anomaly due to a rare combination of natural factors or signals a shift in the longer-term warming trend, it would be prudent to wait a few more years. This additional time will help clarify whether the observed increase is part of an ongoing trend related to climate change or an isolated event.

Fred Pickhardt

Ocean Weather Services

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© 2024 Fred Pickhardt
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104

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Aug 1, 2024by: Larry Dorminy No Comments 27.7404,-82.69619999

What’s Up, Gulfport?? Boca Ciega Bay, FL

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Gulfport Marina includes dry boat storage, ship store, bathroom, public boat ramp, parking, fueling stations, lighted range markers and guest docking facility.

Gulfport Municipal Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is located in the heart of downtown Gulfport. The marina and harbor, found on the northern shores of Boca Ciega Bay, are easily accessible from the Western Florida ICW, just north of Tampa Bay.

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Upcoming Events in Gulfport

Get Ready For Gecko World!!

Gecko Art Installation

Please join us for the First Friday Art Walk on August 2nd as we kick off the month-long celebration of all things Gecko! Get a sneak peek of these one-of-a-kind auction items that will be available for purchase during the live auction at the Gecko Ball on August 24th. Join us at the Catherine Hickman Theatre at 6pm to meet the artists, mingle with your friends and neighbors and get into the Gecko spirit!

Click Here For Art Show Info

First Friday Art Walk-August 2, 2024

Explore the magic of art under the stars at Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walk!

Join us every First Friday for an evening filled with creativity, community, and culture.

Date: First Friday of Every Month
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location:Scenic Beach Boulevard, Gulfport

What to Expect:
Artistic Marvels: Witness the unveiling of new and inspiring works by some of the area’s most talented artists.

Stroll Along Beach Boulevard: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere as you stroll along scenic Beach Boulevard, surrounded by charming restaurants and storefronts.

Community Connection: First Friday Art Walk has been the heartbeat of Pinellas County’s art scene since 1993, fostering a sense of community and celebration of creativity.

Meet the Artists: Engage with the region’s most innovative artists, and gain insight into the stories behind the masterpieces.

Support Local: Hosted by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, this event encourages you to explore and support locally-owned businesses, restaurants, and the arts.

Family-Friendly: Bring the whole family for a night of entertainment, culture, and a chance to create lasting memories in our picturesque town.

Free Admission: Admission is free, so grab your friends and join us for an unforgettable night celebrating art, community, and local talent!

GECKO QUEEN VOTING BEGINS JULY 22nd

Who Will Be Gulfport’s Next Gecko Queen?

It’s time to choose your Queen! Public in-person voting will begin on July 22nd. Ballots will be available at The Gulfport Beach Bazaar, The Gulfport Corner Store and The Gulfport Merchants Chamber Welcome Center. The polls will be open until Sunday, August 18th. Be sure to get your vote in!

The winner will be announced and crowned at the Gecko Ball!

One ballot per person, please.

Click Here for Gecko Queen Info

GECKO POKER CRAWL TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets for the Annual Gecko Poker Crawl are now on sale at The Gulfport Beach Bazaar and The Gulfport Corner Store. Tickets are $25 and include one drink at each of the 6 bar crawl locations. Poker Only tickets are available for $10. Tickets are also available online and can be picked up the day of the Crawl.

Click Here for Gecko Poker Crawl

3rd Saturday IndieFaire

Join us for our 3rd Saturday IndieFaire on Saturday, August 17th as we fill the streets with a variety of vendors! This month’s Faire will be taking place along with our Gecko Poker Crawl so get ready for an extra festive evening!

GECKO BALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!

Get your Gecko Ball tickets at The Beach Bazaar or The Gulfport Corner Store! Don’t miss your chance to attend the most cherished event in Gulfport. This year’s theme is “Live From Gulfport, It’s Gecko Night”! Dress as your favorite Saturday Night Live skit or just wear your finest Gulfport Glam. Don’t miss the Event of the Year! Individual tickets are $30. Reserved tables are $400 (seats 10) and are only available at the Beach Bazaar. Individual tickets are also available online. Click below.

Click Here for Gecko Ball Info

Get Ready For GeckoFest!

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is thrilled to announce the 24th Annual Gecko Fest, set to take place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 10 AM to 10 PM along Gulfport’s scenic waterfront on Beach Blvd. This year’s theme, “Live From Gulfport, It’s Gecko Night!” promises a vibrant, fun-filled event featuring a costume parade, live music, street performers, and a variety of food and craft vendors. Gecko Fest is held in collaboration with SIK Promotions and the City of Gulfport. Admission and parking are free.

First held in 2001, Gecko Fest began as an end-of-summer celebration and has since grown into one of Tampa Bay’s most anticipated annual events. Known for its lively mix of artistic energy and community spirit, the festival features a costume contest and parade, wandering street performers, and two stages with live music. The event has been proudly organized by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber since 2004.

Gecko Fest is preceded each year by the Gecko Art Show, Gecko Crawl, and Gecko Ball. All events are hosted by the non-profit Gulfport Merchants Chamber, with a portion of proceeds from the Gecko World events donated back to the community. This year’s recipients include the REACH! Food Program for Kids, Selah Freedom, and the Sonia Plotnick Health Fund.

Click Here For GeckoFest Info

RISE & SHINE Artist Grant

If you are an artist on the rise,

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber would like to help you shine !

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber’s “Rise and Shine” Artist Grants were developed to support the creative community within Gulfport and the surrounding area and to promote Gulfport as an art destination. The grants include funding, marketing, mentoring , advertising support, and exhibition space.

The purpose of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber’s “Rise and Shine” Artist Grants is to support the creative community within Gulfport and the surrounding area and to promote Gulfport as an art destination. The grants include funding, marketing and advertising support, and exhibition space. To be eligible to apply for one of the two grants offered:

The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

Be a current resident of Pinellas County 

Preference will be given to current residents of the City of Gulfport.

Deadline to Apply: A complete application must be received by August 10th, 2024.

Click Here for Rise & Shine Info

The GMC needs YOU!

The Gulfport Merchants Chamber is in need of Volunteers! We believe in the power of collective action, and we’re reaching out to you because we need dedicated volunteers like you to help us make a difference.

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and their contributions are invaluable. Whether you have a few hours to spare each week or want to get involved in a specific project, your time and skills can have a meaningful impact.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Our new Welcome Center located at 5317 Gulfport Blvd. S. serves as the first point of contact for visitors, newcomers, and those seeking information about our organization. Volunteers like you play a crucial role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making our guests feel comfortable, and providing them with the information they need.

Event Ambassadors play a vital role in creating a positive and memorable experience for attendees, guests and participants. You will get to be a part of some of our amazing events in Gulfport!

Use the link below to sign up for different volunteer opportunities!

Sign Up Here

Gulfport’s Tuesday Market

Every Tuesday, 9am-2pm

Dive into freshness at Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market! Every Tuesday, enjoy open-air shopping for fruits, veggies, local art, and more. Skip crowded supermarkets and support local vendors. After shopping, grab a meal from our restaurants and savor it in our scenic parks or by the beach. #GulfportFreshMarket #ShopLocal #SociallyDistancedShopping#FreshAndLocal #GulfportLife

Want to showcase your goods? Become a vendor! Apply here: https://visitgulfportflorida.com/gulfport-tuesday-market #VendorOpportunity #JoinUs

Members Only: Free Small Business Consultation with The Small Business Development Center

Every Third Thursday, 9am-2pm By Appointment

The Florida SBDC at PCED has partnered with the local community to make confidential consulting available wherever you may be. Debra Schweikowsky, our professionally certified business consultant, specializes in finance and capital access and helps local business owners with growth strategies to realize their goals.

To get started, contact Debra directly to schedule a confidential appointment at 727.453.7108, or email dschweikowsky@pinellas.gov.

Aimee Kosta
Executive Director
info@visitgulfportflorida.com

Our mailing address is:
info@visitgulfportflorida.com

Click Here To View the Cruisers Net Western Florida Marina Directory Listing For Gulfport Municipal Marina

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Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Gulfport Anchorage/Mooring Field