Daily Ridge Fort Meade

05/08/2026

Hot weekend ahead for Polk County ☀️🥵

Hot weekend ahead for Polk County ☀️🥵

Highs will stay in the low-to-mid 90s Friday and Saturday with a mix of clouds and sunshine. Sunday brings a better chance for afternoon thunderstorms, with temps “cooling” slightly into the low 90s. Stay hydrated if you’re spending time outdoors this weekend! ⛅🌩️
*This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.

05/06/2026

Single-Vehicle Crash in Fort Meade Turns Fatal After Car Crashes Into Utility Pole and Catches Fire

Details below ⬇️

05/04/2026

Weekday Weather Report 🌤️

Weekday Weather Report 🌤️
After the weekend’s storms, conditions across Polk County are calming down, with a return to warmer and drier weather through the workweek.

Monday starts off mild with partly cloudy skies and morning temperatures in the mid-60s, warming into the low 80s by the afternoon. Winds remain light with occasional gusts.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, expect a steady warm-up, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 80s, along with a mix of sun and clouds.

Thursday and Friday bring more summer-like heat, with mostly sunny skies and afternoon highs pushing into the low 90s. Overnight lows will stay warm, ranging from the upper 60s to around 70.

Overall, it’s a quiet and warming pattern heading into the week.
*This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.

04/27/2026

Polk County Weekday Weather Report

Polk County Weekday Weather Report:

Expect a warm and sunny stretch across Polk County this week. Skies will stay mostly clear through midweek, with temperatures steadily climbing each afternoon. Highs will reach the mid to upper 80s Tuesday, pushing near 90 by Wednesday and Thursday, and topping out in the low 90s by Friday. Morning lows will remain mild, ranging from the mid to upper 60s.

A few clouds may move in later in the week, but rain chances remain low. Light winds will continue, with occasional gusts around 10–15 mph.

This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.

04/25/2026

Special Weather Statement issued by NWS:
At 358 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13 miles north of Ona, or 14 miles northwest of Wauchula, moving east at 10 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Bartow, Fort Meade, and Homeland.

04/24/2026

Weekend Weather Update for Polk County ☀️

Weekend Weather Update for Polk County ☀️

It’s a warm and pleasant evening across Winter Haven, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 82°. Expect sunshine to linger into the early evening before a mild cooldown after sunset around 7:57 PM.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a low near 64° and a high around 87°. Great weather for outdoor plans.

Sunday: A mix of sun and a few clouds, with temperatures similar to Saturday—morning lows near 65° and highs reaching 87°.

Overall, it’s shaping up to be a beautiful, warm weekend across Polk County with light winds and plenty of sunshine.
*This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.

04/21/2026

‼️RED FLAG WARNING ‼️ ISSUED BY NWS

‼️RED FLAG WARNING ‼️ ISSUED BY NWS:
..CRITICALLY LOW HUMIDITY WITH GUSTY WINDS AND A MODERATE SIGNIFICANT FIRE POTENTIAL WILL RESULT IN AN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER

* AFFECTED AREA...Sumter, Pinellas, POLK, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Coastal Levy, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Levy, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte and Inland Lee.
* TIMING...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* WINDS...East 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 29 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

04/20/2026

Polk County Weekday Weather Update ☀️🌬️

Polk County Weekday Weather Update ☀️🌬️

It’s a warm start across Winter Haven and the rest of Polk County, with temperatures already in the low 70s and climbing steadily into the low 80s this afternoon.

⚠️ A Fire Weather Watch is in effect through Tuesday, with dry conditions and wind gusts up to 24 mph increasing the risk for wildfires. Use caution with any outdoor burning.

Expect partly cloudy skies today, with a mix of sun and clouds continuing through midweek. Highs will hover near 80° each day, with cooler mornings dipping into the upper 50s and low 60s.

Looking ahead:
🌤️ Tuesday: Sunny, high near 80°
☁️ Wednesday–Thursday: Partly cloudy, highs around 79–81°
🌤️ Friday: Slightly warmer, high near 83°

Overall, a dry and breezy stretch ahead—stay weather aware and fire safe, Polk County!
*This weather report is courtesy of Apple Weather and is subject to change at any time.

04/20/2026

🔥 Fire Weather Watch for Polk County Issued by NWS 🔥

🔥 Fire Weather Watch Issued by NWS 🔥
..CRITICALLY LOW HUMIDITY WITH GUSTY WINDS AND A MODERATE SIGNIFICANT FIRE POTENTIAL WILL RESULT IN AN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER TODAY AND AGAIN ON TUESDAY... The National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect Tuesday afternoon.

* AFFECTED AREA...Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte and Inland Lee.
* TIMING...Tuesday afternoon.
* WINDS...East 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 30 percent.
* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

04/17/2026

☀️ Weekend Weather Report for Polk County

☀️ Weekend Weather Report for Polk County

Hot, sunny, and staying that way! Temps are pushing the upper 80s today and climbing into the low 90s Saturday, with a slightly “cooler” but still warm Sunday near 89°. Light winds and plenty of sunshine all weekend long—perfect for getting outside, just don’t forget to stay hydrated! 🌴