Subtropical Storm Alberto over Gulf poses rainy threat to holiday weekend plans
Red tide and bacteria have finally cleared from Collier County beaches in time for Memorial Day weekend — but there’s a catch.
Subtropical Storm Alberto began swirling over the Gulf of Mexico on Friday just in time to threaten outdoor plans for the holiday weekend.
For the week, Collier County is going to see up to 3 or 4 inches of rain and possibly double those numbers in some areas, NBC-2 reported. Winds and heavy rains are expected to rip through late Saturday night and most of Sunday, leaving standing water and saturated ground.
"I hope you have board games and things to do inside," NBC-2 meteorologist Matt Gray said.
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At the beach, the water likely will be rough, but the most dangerous effect of the weather there will be the chance of rip currents.
"It's worth it for people to use a bit of extra caution," Gray said.
Overall, Collier County will not receive a direct hit from Alberto, and heavy rains probably will be the only harsh effects.
Even though the weather likely won't be suitable for tanning or grilling hot dogs and burgers, the beaches have mostly been restored to their former glory.
Related:Red tide concentrations at Collier beaches mostly diminishing
Related:Rain coming to Naples, Fort Myers over Memorial Day weekend
As of Wednesday, May 23, the red tide that has been found regularly in the waters off Collier County since October had cleared, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported. Friday's report also concluded there was little to no Karenia brevis algae, which causes red tide, left in the area.
Red tide can stay only a few weeks or last longer than a year, depending on conditions such as nutrients, salinity and wind and water currents. Rainy weather does not heavily affect red tide.
"Red tide concentrations are majorly dependent on wind and current patterns," the FWC reported.
Bacteria tests showed poor water quality at several beaches throughout Collier County in the past few weeks, but this week the tests indicated bacteria no longer was a problem, the Florida Department of Health website reported.
Barefoot Beach Preserve, Clam Pass, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Tigertail Beach, Vanderbilt Beach and Park Shore Beach were reported as having poor water quality in the past few weeks. However, follow-up tests the day after the poor results came back clear, and no swimming advisories had to be posted.
The recent bacteria and red tide might have created difficult conditions for area wildlife, and now endangered shore birds will have to weather Alberto's effects this weekend.
Four species of shorebirds on both Fort Myers Beach and Sand Dollar Island on Marco Island will have to take cover and protect their hatchlings from the weather. A few species to look out for are black skimmers, snowy plovers, Wilson's plovers and least terns.
“The chicks are just darling, but they are also very vulnerable to cold and wet because they can’t regulate their body temperature real well. So, if it rains too much, that could be hard on them," said Brad Cornell, who works with Audubon of the Western Everglades as a facilitator for the Shorebirds Stewardship Program in Collier County.
The Shorebirds Stewardship Program helps educate beachgoers about the local environment while trying to keep birds safe. Three biologists and about 25 volunteers each for Collier and Lee County keep watch.
Cornell advises beachgoers to be respectful of nesting shorebirds, to not go into flagged or barricaded habitats and to leave their dogs at home.
"It's about teaching people to share the beach," Cornell said.
