Looking for accurate average temps at specific locations (Sarasota, Fruitville: station, rating)

[ReachTheBeach]

I have noticed that when I go to the major weather sites and get monthly average temps for various locations in the vicinity, they all really seem to use the same data. For example, I get exactly the same set of monthly average lows and highs for Fruitville and Longboat Key. I would have expected to see a variance, with the water on both sides of Longboat Key moderating the extremes at least a little. When there is no variance (I mean I am seeing the same averages even shown with a decimal place), I think I am actually seeing data from one station for both areas.

[NYtoOsprey]

Originally Posted by CarvedTones

I think I am actually seeing data from one station for both areas.

probably

[Skunk Workz]

Not sure on those exact locations, but I've used Weather Underground for quite a bit of historical research.

http://www.wunderground.com

Once you type in the city and load the current weather page, you can select the station using the map by clicking on the the grey "select station" button that's right above the current conditions.

You can also scroll to the bottom of the page to get a list of all stations for the area

Most of the stations have a code, and you can then look up historical data station by station. Not all stations have full histories, but it should give you something to look through.

Here's the Sarasota Area: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=sarasota

[ReachTheBeach]

Thanks. It looks like my quest to make this objective might be futile. Scanning down the list you can see a few that are obviously too different from nearby stations for them all to be correct. They aren't all calibrated like NWS stations. So it isn't apples to apples. It makes sense to me that LBK usually doesn't get quite as hot or quite as cold as mainland nearby, but I was hoping for a real comparison.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by CarvedTones

Thanks. It looks like my quest to make this objective might be futile. Scanning down the list you can see a few that are obviously too different from nearby stations for them all to be correct. They aren't all calibrated like NWS stations. So it isn't apples to apples. It makes sense to me that LBK usually doesn't get quite as hot or quite as cold as mainland nearby, but I was hoping for a real comparison.

LBK doesn't feel as hot or cold as the mainland because of the ocean temps and breezes. The only accurate account you are going to get are from fixed thermometers.

The most accurate ocean temperatures will come from NOAA bouys.

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[ReachTheBeach]

Originally Posted by blueherons

LBK doesn't feel as hot or cold as the mainland because of the ocean temps and breezes.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head with the choice of wording - "feel". I am currently in NC, and I can do a similar comparison with Greenville, Oriental and Okracoke which are respectively slightly inland, on the sound and an island that are very close in lattitude. In that comparison I can use NWS stations which are calibrated and verified often. The results are not what I expected - Okracoke actually averages slightly warmer highs in the summer. It sure doesn't feel that way; Greenville can be stifling. The winter temps are moderated exactly as I would expect though; the island is warmer.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by CarvedTones

The results are not what I expected - Okracoke actually averages slightly warmer highs in the summer. It sure doesn't feel that way; Greenville can be stifling. The winter temps are moderated exactly as I would expect though; the island is warmer.

Because Okracoke doesn't cool down at night as much as it does inland because in the summer the ocean temps are in the lower 80s. The ocean temps keep in warm at night while inland locations will cool down more when the sun sets.

[ReachTheBeach]

Our sounds here in NC are very shallow yet large enough not to get "flushed" by the tides and do turn into bathwater in the summer. Some days it seems like you could drag a net for pre-cooked shrimp. Not sure if Sarasota Bay is affected like that or not.