Area weather another reason to be thankful

Collier County Pollution Control red tide sampling results released on Tuesday show low traces of the algae bloom were reported three to seven miles west of Doctors Pass on Nov. 20. Strong winds could move the red tide to shore and cause respiratory irritation in those sensitive to the algae or those who have respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema.

Pollution Control recommends people sensitive to red tide should use caution when going to the beach.

No red tide was reported elsewhere in Collier, including South Marco Beach and Naples Pier.

Clyde Lanning, a park supervisor at Bonita Beach Park, and Paul Yacobelli, a park supervisor at Fort Myers Beach, did not report any red tide blooms on Wednesday. But they are continuing to deal with a mass of seaweed that recently washed ashore, they said.

"We do have just a little bit of seaweed," Yacobelli said. "It's nothing major."

Seaweed crept onto Naples beaches this week, too, prompting a cleanup.

Some 960 cubic yards -- or 384 tons of seaweed -- were cleared from the beach north of Doctors Pass on Saturday and Sunday. Another 100 cubic yards were removed from the beach north of Gordon Pass, and an area between Horizon Way and Seagate Drive on Gulfshore Boulevard North was slated for cleanup Wednesday afternoon.

"That's pretty much the extent of what we've observed," said David Lykins, Naples community services director. "Once we get that off the beach, the majority will have been removed."

Florida Department of Health beach water quality results for Collier and Lee counties returned as good on Monday, too, and no local beaches are under a warning or advisory.

The National Weather Service in Miami has forecast a beachworthy weekend.

Today, a mostly sunny morning will give way to a partly sunny afternoon with high temperatures in the lower 80s. Overnight lows are predicted in the low to middle 60s. Holiday boaters can expect southeastern winds of 5 to 10 knots, and seas of 1 to 3 feet with a light chop on bay and inland waters.

On Friday, a front will blow through Collier and south Lee counties, and temperatures will drop for the weekend.

Friday is expected to be partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers later in the day and high temperatures in the upper 70s. Saturday and Sunday will be partly cloudy and cooler with highs in the middle 70s and lows in the mid-50s to low 60s.

Friday, boaters will find winds out of the northwest at 20 to 25 knots, with 2- to 4-foot seas and rough bay and inland waters. Saturday's winds will hail from the northeast at 25 to 30 knots and seas will be 3 to 5 feet, with very rough inland and bay waters.

On Sunday, boating conditions will improve, as northeast winds drop to 10 to 15 knots and seas will be 3 to 5 feet with a moderate chop on bay and inland waters.