# West Central and Southwest Florida Surf Zone Forecast
Good morning, this is your surf zone forecast for west central and southwest Florida, issued Wednesday, April 8th at 3:09 AM.
Let's start with the northern zones covering Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, including the beaches from Cedar Key down to Port Richey.
Today looks pretty mellow out there. Expect minimal surf with heights at one foot or less, and the rip current risk stays low. Water temps are in the mid 70s, so it's definitely getting warmer. You'll see partly sunny skies with just a chance of showers and maybe a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs reach the lower 70s, but it's going to be breezy with northeast winds at 20 to 25 miles per hour. High tide at Cedar Key comes at 7:05 in the morning, with a low at 11:54 AM and another high at 5:43 in the evening.
Tonight the clouds increase, but conditions remain pretty similar. Another chance of showers possible, lows in the mid 60s, and those northeast winds keep cruising at 20 to 25 miles per hour. Still low rip current risk. Low tide at Cedar Key hits at 1:15 in the morning.
Thursday shapes up nicely with mostly sunny skies and just a slight chance of showers. Highs in the mid 70s, winds ease to around 20 miles per hour from the northeast, and the rip current risk stays low. The next high tide at Cedar Key comes at 8:09 in the morning.
Moving down to the central Gulf Coast, we've got the Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota beaches, including Clearwater Beach, Saint Pete Beach, and Siesta Key.
Today's conditions mirror the north zone pretty closely. One foot or less of surf, low rip current risk, and a low UV index. Water temperatures again in the mid 70s. Partly sunny with a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs push into the upper 70s today, and northeast winds maintain that breezy 20 to 25 mile per hour pace. High tide at Saint Petersburg comes at 5:29 in the evening.
Now here's where things get a bit more interesting. Tonight, the rip current risk bumps up to moderate for this zone. That means life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone, so if you're heading out, stay aware and know how to handle yourself in the water. We'll have mostly cloudy skies, a chance of showers, and even a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s with those northeast winds holding steady at 20 to 25 miles per hour. Low tide at Saint Petersburg happens at 2:36 in the morning.
Thursday the rip current risk drops back to low. Partly sunny skies, a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s, northeast winds around 20 miles per hour, and one foot or less of surf. High tide at Venice Inlet comes at 4:25 in the afternoon.
Finally, let's check out the southern zone covering Charlotte and Lee counties, those Sanibel and Captiva beaches.
Today we're looking at moderate rip current risk and moderate thunderstorm potential, so conditions are definit
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