New Red Tide Tools Available From NOAA

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has developed a new tool to see red tide levels at area beaches.

According to NOAA, the risk-level forecast covers 30 of Florida’s west coast beaches, as well as beaches in the state of Texas. The forecast is part of a NOAA-National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science national Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting System, used by coastal resource managers to lessen the impact of red tide and other toxic blooms on local communities.

“Red tide impacts can be really variable because of wind patterns,” said Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, a researcher who conducted the first studies documenting the impacts of Florida red tide blooms on human health. “They can use this tool the same way they use other weather reports.”