RECON

River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

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Weather Stations Update

Originally deployed in 2012, thanks to funding from the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) through a grant from Lee County, the RECON weather stations became the first weather stations in this area located directly over the water. Designed to give researchers and boaters near real-time information on the current over water weather conditions, they quickly became the go to weather source for the local boating community.  ...

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The River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network (RECON) is a network of water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee river and estuary to provide real-time, water quality data to scientists, policy makers, and the general public.

The extensive watersheds of the Caloosahatchee (1,400 square miles) and Lake Okeechobee (4,400 square miles) each contribute water that flows into the Caloosahatchee estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. Water quality is affected by both Lake Okeechobee discharges and runoff from the Caloosahatchee watershed. Over time, these watersheds have changed from low-nutrient loading marshes and wetlands to high loading urban and agricultural land uses. Nutrients increase turbidity and decrease concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO). In addition, excess nutrients fuel nuisance algal blooms. Losses of low-nutrient adapted communities, such as seagrasses have contributed to changes in fish, crustacean and marine mammal communities.

Boater Forecast

Weather forecast data provided courtesy of the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration

This NOAA marine forecast covers the area 6NM SSW of Captiva FL.  Additional Associated Zone Forecast 

Tonight

November 4th 2024

E wind around 19 kt. Partly cloudy. Seas around 2 ft.

Temperature: Low 75 °F

Tuesday

November 5th 2024

ENE wind 16 to 18 kt. A slight chance of showers. Seas around 2 ft.

Temperature: High 82 °F

Tuesday Night

November 5th 2024

E wind 17 to 19 kt. Mostly cloudy. Seas around 2 ft.

Temperature: Low 77 °F

Wednesday

November 6th 2024

E wind 16 to 19 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Seas around 2 ft.

Temperature: High 82 °F

Wednesday Night

November 6th 2024

Tropical storm conditions possible. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Temperature: Low 77 °F

Thursday

November 7th 2024

Tropical storm conditions possible. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Temperature: High 82 °F

Thursday Night

November 7th 2024

ESE wind 15 to 17 kt. Mostly cloudy. Seas around 4 ft.

Temperature: Low 77 °F

Friday

November 8th 2024

ESE wind 12 to 15 kt. Partly sunny. Seas 3 to 4 ft.

Temperature: High 82 °F

Wind Speed (kts)

Below is the NOAA wind speed forecast. Click Here to view the data from the RECON weather stations. 

Wave Heights(ft)

This is a graph of the NOAA marine forecast for wave height 6NM SSW of Captiva FL. This is the same area the RECON wave buoy is deployed.