Posts from — September 2010

Position: 20.2N 34.6W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: Northwest [315°] near 16 mph [26 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 115 mph [185 kph].
Wind Gusts: 140 mph [225 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 125 miles [205 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 35 miles [ 55 km].
Minimum central pressure: 962 mb ↑.

Currently about 755 miles [1215 km] West-Northwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

When Julia peaked this morning and become a category 4, it was only the second incidence of two category 4 storms in the Atlantic Basin at the same time. The last time this occurred was 1926.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 19.4N 90.7W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [290°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 60 miles [ 95 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1000 mb.

Currently about 35 miles [ 60 km] South-Southwest of Campeche, Mexico.

Karl is slowly weakening over land today. It has reached the coast of the Bay of Campeche.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the coast of Mexico from La Cruz southward to Barra de Nautla.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the West Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Ciudad del Carmen northward to Celestun.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

The Day of His Noodly Appendage

The holiest of holidays for Pastafarians, is of course the birthday of His Most Holy Prophet, Marco Polo (b. Sept 15, 1254), who brought the word of his Noodly Appendage back from the East. As Talk Like A Pirate Day falls on September 19th, this five-day period constitutes Holy Pasta Week, during which spaghetti is consumed liberally. With a nice Chianti until the last day when it’s grog for all.

Position: 18.6N 85.5W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [290°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph [ 75 kph].
Wind Gusts: 55 mph [ 90 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 30 miles [ 45 km].
Minimum central pressure: 999 mb.

Currently about 185 miles [295 km] East of Chetumal, Mexico.

This was Invest 92 that has been around for days spreading rain in the Caribbean never quite reaching tropical status. It finally decided to grow up.

At its current speed it should come ashore in the center of the Warning area in 12 hours or less.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the East Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Chetumal at the Mexico-Belize border northward to Cabo Catoche.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the coast of northern Belize from Belize City to the Mexico-Belize border.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 19.0N 53.9W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [295°] near 9 mph [15 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 155 mph [250 kph].
Wind Gusts: 190 mph [305 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 205 miles [335 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 45 miles [ 75 km].
Minimum central pressure: 925 mb ↓.

Currently about 605 miles [975 km] East of the northern Leeward Islands.

Any further strengthening will elevate Igor to a category 5 storm.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 16.7N 30.9W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [295°] near 9 mph [15 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 105 mph [165 kph].
Wind Gusts: 125 mph [200 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 105 miles [170 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 40 km].
Minimum central pressure: 974 mb ↓.

Currently about 450 miles [725 km] West-Northwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.

Julia is now a category 2 storm.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

The opponents of the Park51 project keep harping on the concept of “sensitivity” for the families of the victims, as a reason not to build it where it is currently sited.

On the anniversary of September 11^th, the opponents showed their “sensitivity” by holding demonstrations on the “hallowed ground” of Park Place.

The BBC noted: “The radical Dutch politician Geert Wilders addressed one demonstration, calling for an end to the plans.”

OK, if you invite Geert Wilders to a demonstration about anything Islamic, you are openly declaring hatred as your motivation, not “sensitivity”. Even Glenn Beck thinks the guy is a fascist. I don’t agree, I think he’s just working out a personal conflict over his heritage in public. Be that as it may, the message that Wilders consistently delivers is that Islam is evil and must be eliminated in the West. He gets a lot of support in the US because he is a friend of Israel.

I feel certain that the NYPD officers that were assigned to monitor the demonstration would have preferred to have been at Ground Zero honoring the members of their department who died, but the haters couldn’t care less about that – 9/11 was when the media would be out and about.

[I waited to post this, because it wasn’t appropriate to do it on the day of the memorial.]

Position: 17.7N 51.2W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West [275°] near 9 mph [15 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 140 mph [220 kph].
Wind Gusts: 165 mph [265 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 195 miles [315 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 50 miles [ 80 km].
Minimum central pressure: 937 mb ↑.

Currently about 785 miles [1260 km] East of the northern Leeward Islands.

Igor seems to have reached its peak intensity, and is now expanding as the wind field catches up with the eye. It is finally backing off slightly.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 15.6N 28.0W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [295°] near 13 mph [21 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Wind Gusts: 65 mph [105 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 miles [130 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1000 mb.

Currently about 245 miles [395 km] West-Northwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.

Julia is beginning to strengthen as it heads out over the open Atlantic. All Warnings have been discontinued.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Today’s update indicates a shift in emphasis from fighting to rehabilitation.

The fire has stayed within the perimeter and is 76% contained. They are on track for 100% containment tomorrow, and are beginning the shift to local control and responsibility. Some areas have been opened to residents, but others are still closed until hot spots are dealt with by crews.

The weather continues to cooperate with the efforts to put out the fire, and no additional structure have been destroyed.

Position: 13.5N 23.5W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [285°] near 12 mph [19 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 70 miles [110 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1004 mb ↓.

Currently about 110 miles [175 km] Southeast of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the southern Cape Verde Islands including Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo, and Brava.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

Position: 17.6N 47.8W [10 PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West [270°] near 13 mph [20 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 150 mph [240 kph].
Wind Gusts: 185 mph [295 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 160 miles [260 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 40 miles [ 65 km].
Minimum central pressure: 935 mb ↓.

Currently about 1005 miles [1620 km] East of the northern Leeward Islands.

Igor exploded this afternoon, going from category 2 to 4 without a pause and dropping 20 millibars over lunch. The storm is on the verge of being a category 5 having dropped another 15 millibars this evening.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

It would appear that the Orlando police blew it up.

FYI: it was the St. Petersburg police that considered blowing up the croissant.

In today’s 8AM MDT news release there is much better news on the fire. The weather was better than expected and crews were able to expand containment to 56% from 30%.

Further: “An infrared flight was flown during the night. … The results of last night’s flight show several areas of isolated heat, but no large pockets of intense heat as was seen previously.”

Quick Fire Facts:

• Date started: 09/06/2010
• Location: 5 miles W of downtown Boulder, CO
• Percent Contained: 56%
• Number of Personnel: 1096, 22 crews
• Equipment: 111 engines, 38 water tenders, 1 dozer
• Cause: Human (under investigation)
• Size: 6,427 acres
• Estimated Containment Date: September 13, 2010
• Aircraft: helicopters 3 large, 2 medium, 1 small
• Retardant: (156,012 gallons) cumulative
• Injuries to Date: 7 (all minor)
• Cost to Date: $ 4,900,000

If the weather holds, a much worse disaster has been averted by a rapid, effective response. If the weather gets bad, the resources are now available to hold while more resources are brought in.