Monday, September 06, 2004

Hurricane Ivan Update 061700L At 5:00 PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Ivan was about 305 miles east-southeast of the island of Barbados.  Winds have decreased to 105 mph and minimum central pressure in 968 millibars (28.59"). Hurricane Ivan Advisory Number 18 The National Hurricane Center forecasters "see no reason why Ivan could not restrengthen very soon".  The track forecast has been shifted a little to the west today.   Right now it is too far out to asess the potential for affecting the United States.  Hurricane Ivan Discussion Number 18 The $64 question is whether Ivan heads east and north of Cuba or south and west.  Too soon to tell, although if I were forced to guess right now, I would opt for the westerly track. Fresh Bilge is familiar with the area Ivan is passing through and has some insightful commentary that is worth checking out. Weather comment []5:15:04 PM   trackback []

Tropical Storm Frances Update 061700L At 5:00 PM the broad center of Tropical Storm Frances about 75 miles northeast of Apalachicola Florida.  Maximum sustained winds are 45 mph (and weakening) and central pressure is 982 millbars (29.00)". One thing not weakened is her ability to dump heavy amounts of rain Tropical Storm Frances Advisory Number 52 The heavy weather is in the squall lines to the northeast of the center (although there is also one to the southeast that's affecting Gainesville, Ocala, and points south). Talked on the phone with a fellow meteorology major  who is spending the weekend with his wife in Jacksonville.  He described the weather there yesterday as "stinking awesome".  Tornados continue to be a concern for areas east and north of the center.  NWS Jacksonville recently issued a warning for particular towns in southeast Georgia based on Doppler radar. Weather comment []4:52:44 PM   trackback []

Local Frances Update 061530L Looking at radar, Frances is about fifteen miles due east of here. Because of her pecuiliar assymetry which has all of her fury on a northwest-southeast semi-circle, we barely have any feeling of her presence. There is one band near the center that may wrap around to get us, but other than that it looks like we are relatively in the clear. On the radio earlier, it was stated that about 15,000 people (or 10% of the population) in Tallahassee were without power. Also, 57 of Florida's 67 counties have experienced power outages due to Frances. It looks like the tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina at 2:30 PM was a good call as the public reported a tornado in the forecast area (Jasper, SC) at 2:58 PM. Tornado watches remain up for eastern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Everyone in those areas should remain vigilant and take the appropriate precautions. Weather comment []3:37:51 PM   trackback []

Bowden Kin Are Killed in Hurricane QUINCY, Fla. - A grandson and a former son-in-law of Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden were killed when their car was hit a by a utility truck that was helping to restore power outages caused by Hurricane Frances... Florida State, Weather comment []3:08:34 PM   trackback []

Tropical Storm Frances Update 061400L At 2:00 PM EDT, Tropical Storm Frances was crossing the coast near St Mark's (about 25 miles south of Tallahassee).  Maximum sustained winds are 65 mph.  As you've probably seen, tornado warnings (based on Doppler radar) have been rampant on the east coast today. Tomorrow's classes at Florida State have been cancelled due to Frances. Weather comment []2:02:50 PM   trackback []

Personal Tropical Storm Frances Update As I expected, my internet connection remains down, so am blogging from the room of one of my friends at Gilchrist Hall. Spoke to my parents last night who live in Orange Park (a suburb of Jacksonville). They lost power in their residence yesterday afternoon, but not at another house that they bought recently, so they spent the night there. Cable got knocked out at my apartment sometime overnight, but came up mid-morning. Power was lost at about 5 but was back up about an hour later or so. It's been rainy here but not exceptionally rainy. At 11 AM Frances was about 65 miles away from us and will pass us somewhat closely as a tropical storm. Right now, you would have no idea that it is so close. Weather comment []1:41:12 PM   trackback []