Cooler ocean water temperatures in Volusia and Flagler

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Andrea Knight is visiting Florida from North Carolina. She literally ran to the water with excitement on Thursday.

"When in Florida, I thought I'd have to worry about alligators. I didn't really think about shark factor," she said.  "Makes me a little bit nervous!"

Captain Tammy Marris with Beach Patrol in Volusia said sharks could be coming closer to shore, because of the cooler water temperatures.

"We have seen a lot of bait out there the last couple weeks, and with the bait fish come larger fish."

Experts say it all starts with a west wind.  The wind pushes warmer water away from the coastline, allowing the colder water underneath to move closer to shore.

It not only gets a little colder, this changes the color of the water. It's more murky looking-green and brown.
If you do head out a bit further, its even colder. Which can affect fish if it gets too cold.

Captain Marris says the upwelling happens on and off typically toward the end of the summer.  A few years ago, she said the water temperature was much colder for a few days.

Captain Marris said, "It got down into the 60s low 70s. I haven't seen that in a few years. "