Storm Spotters

Sarasota County Is Partnering With the National Weather Service to Offer Free Weather Safety Training

Love weather and helping others? The National Weather Service's free online SKYWARN seminar on Aug. 16 is for you.

08/12/2025 By Lauren Jackson

The Tropics

High Sea Surface Temperatures, Dissipating Saharan Dust and More: Conditions For Hurricane Formation Are Becoming Ideal

Watch out for storm development in the tropical Atlantic this week.

08/04/2025 By Bob Bunting

Storm Prep

Sarasota County Offering Sandbags to Residents Ahead of Weekend 'Rain Event'

Sandbags are available until 8 p.m. this evening.

07/02/2025 By Staff

Hurricane Prep

Sarasota County to Open Voluntary Self-Service Sandbag Stations

The sites will be open on June 14, July 19 and Aug. 10 so residents can pickup free empty bags and sand to help prepare for potential storms.

06/06/2025 By Staff

Be Prepared

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 30. Here's how to get ready.

05/29/2025 By Staff

Not an April Fool's Joke

Climate Adaptation Center Predicts 17 Named Storms, 10 Hurricanes and Five Major Hurricanes for 2025

We'd love to say we're pulling an April fool's joke, but record-high ocean temperatures and other meteorological conditions tell a different story.

04/01/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Just Keep Swimming

Mote Is Nursing 22 Cold-Stunned Juvenile Green Sea Turtles Back to Health

Cold-stunning occurs when turtles become lethargic due to rapidly dropping water temperatures.

01/31/2025 By Staff

Weather Report

Updated: Cold Weather Shelters Open Jan. 23 and 24 Ahead of Freezing Temps

Temps could drop as low as 28 degrees thanks to the winter storm that's pummeling north Florida and other Gulf states.

01/23/2025 By Staff

Deep Freeze

Will the Incoming Cold Front Bring Snow to Sarasota?

It's unlikely—but our area will still see cool weather in the 50s and lows in the 40s, with wind chill as low as 25 degrees.

01/17/2025 By Megan McDonald

Climate Change

The California Wildfires Are a Devastating Reminder of the Effects of Climate Change

After the catastrophic 2024 hurricane season, the Los Angeles fires are a reminder that we need to adapt to the changing climate or face the threat of even more severe weather events.

01/10/2025 By Bob Bunting

Stay Warm

Sarasota County Is Opening a Cold Weather Shelter in North Port Tonight and Tomorrow

Good-bye, hurricane season—hello, winter?

12/02/2024 By Staff

Still Standing

After an Unprecedented Hurricane Season, Residents Say They're Determined to Come Back Stronger

We're sharing stories of tragedy and resilience and talking to residents and business owners about how the storms have upended their lives, their finances and their plans for the future.

11/20/2024

The Climate Connection

Climate Change Is Making Extreme Weather More Common and More Dangerous

This year's storms were the latest in a string of extreme weather events that have struck our area in recent years.

11/20/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Aftermath

Local Residents and Business Owners Pick Up the Pieces After a Catastrophic Hurricane Season

“You jump the first hurdle, then get a giant kick to the gut. That’s what’s been so traumatizing.”

11/20/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Hurricane Milton

Everything You Need to Know About Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton, which grew from a Category 1 storm to a monstrous Category 5 hurricane in just one day, made landfall on Siesta Key around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

10/23/2024

Hurricane Milton

Access to the Barrier Islands Will Close Tonight

After 7 p.m., community members will continue to be able to get off the barrier islands, but no entry will be allowed back on until after post-storm search and rescue mission is completed.

10/08/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Season

Where to Find a Hurricane Shelter

If you need to evacuate, here is a list of local shelters in both Sarasota and Manatee counties and what to do and bring before you go. All Sarasota County shelters are pet-friendly. Uber is also offering free rides to shelters with code MILTONRELIEF.

10/08/2024 By Megan McDonald