Mainly Tranquil in the Tropics

 

We are tracking tropical waves along 33 west, south of 20 north, along 61 west, south of 20 north and along 72 west, south of 22 north. All waves are moving to the west at an average speed of 10-15 knots or about 5 degrees longitude per day. The wave along 72 west is encountering strong shear and will not be able to organize as it moves west. The wave along 61 west is also encountering shear. However, it is a larger wave and it might survive the strongest shear. But, it too will have a tough time organizing any time soon. An upper-level disturbance that caused flooding rainfall in the Houston, Texas, area is over land. But, it has caused a large area of rain and thunderstorms along the southeastern Texas coast. This activity should move southwest and will not have a chance to break away and move out over the open waters of the Gulf. Another upper-level system extends into the western Atlantic, east of the northern Bahamas. This upper-level system is enhancing clouds, showers and thunderstorms over the northern Bahamas. This complex weather system might have some chance to organize during the middle and latter part of this week as the strong shear relaxes over that region of the Atlantic. Some computer model output is suggesting there will be at least an upper-level system forming. If this happens and a surface feature can form underneath, we might have a developing tropical system toward the end of this week. But, this is highly uncertain at this point. Anything that does organize east of the Bahamas will be steered westward by the Bermuda high. That could lead to increased, unsettled weather over the northern Bahamas much of this week, then over Florida by this coming weekend. So, residents and visitors to Florida and the northern Bahamas should stay informed about this area of unsettled weather east of the northern Bahamas.

 Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Our Current Tracking: Alberto

Our Current Tracking Of Alberto as of June 13, 2006 10:45 am (Eastern Time Zone)

…ALBERTO NEARING THE NORTHEAST GULF OF MEXICO COAST…

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM LONGBOAT KEY TO THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT SOUTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO
ENGLEWOOD…AND WEST OF THE OCHLOCKONEE RIVER TO INDIAN PASS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST
FROM FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA NORTHWARD TO SOUTH SANTEE RIVER SOUTH
CAROLINA.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 800 AM EDT…1200Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 29.5 NORTH…LONGITUDE 84.2 WEST OR ABOUT 50
MILES… 80 KM…EAST-SOUTHEAST OF APALACHICOLA FLORIDA AND ABOUT 75
MILES…120 KM…WEST-NORTHWEST OF CEDAR KEY FLORIDA.

ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH…15 KM/HR…AND
THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL LANDFALL AROUND
MIDDAY TODAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 65 MPH…100 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  THERE IS NOW ONLY A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT ALBERTO WILL
BECOME A HURRICANE PRIOR TO LANDFALL.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES…280 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY THE AIR FORCE
RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTERS WAS 995 MB…29.38 INCHES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 7 TO 9 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED MAINLY TO THE EAST AND SOUTH OF WHERE THE
CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED
MAXIMUM AMOUNTS TO 10 INCHES…ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF
FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA THROUGH TODAY.  STORM TOTAL AMOUNTS OF
3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED OVER SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE COASTAL
PLAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA THROUGH
WEDNESDAY.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
NORTHERN FLORIDA…SOUTHERN GEORGIA…AND SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA
TODAY.

REPEATING THE 800 AM EDT POSITION…29.5 N…84.2 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHEAST NEAR 9 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…65 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…995 MB.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Current Tropical Storm Tracking Map: Alberto

Click On The Link to get the current tracking map of Alberto:

Tracking Alberto

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Tracking Map for Hurricanes

 

Click below to get your own copy of a tracking map you can use to track the hurricanes this season.

Tracking Map For Hurricanes In Florida

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

SWFL under tornado, tropical storm watches

As of 8 p.m. (June 12, 2006), Tropical Storm Alberto is moving NE at 8 mph with sustained winds of 70 mph. Alberto could become a hurricane before it makes landfall. SWFL remains under a tornado watch until Tuesday morning.

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Video Of The Week

Click on the link, and a new window will pop up to view the video:

www.youtube.com/v/erguazQ0JUA

Latest News Warning About The Hurricane Cat. 1 To hit West Coast Of Florida By Tuesday Morning.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Tropical troubles ahead ?

 weather map as of 6-10-06 7:45 am.

A cluster of showers and thunderstorms, near a broad area of low pressure east of the Yucatan Peninsula, continues to be monitored. Pressures continue to fall in this vicinity and upper winds are becoming more favorable for tropical cyclone development. A Hurricane Hunter Aircraft is scheduled to investigate the area this afternoon. A tropical depression may develop. If this system evolves into a tropical storm the name will be Alberto.

In the meantime, locally heavy rain and flooding may occur from coastal areas of Belize and the Yucatan through the Cayman Islands, Jamiaca and Cuba. Parts of Grand Cayman have picked up almost nine inches of rain since Tuesday. If a tropical system does develop, it may slide northward into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. All interests along the US Gulf Coast should monitor the progress of this system. Stay with Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com for the latest updates.

In the eastern Pacific, thunderstorms extend westward from Central America to just south of Mexico. Any thunderstorms over land may produce flooding and mudslides in the higher elevations. Slow development of a low off the coast of Guatemala is possible over the next few days as it heads northwestward to along the southern Mexican coastline.

The Season Ahead

Experts say the 2006 season could be another very active one. The latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls for 13-16 total storms, 8-10 hurricanes, and 4-6 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Video Of The Week

Click on the link, and a new window will pop up to view the video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5954521938928173924&q=HURRICANE&pr=goog-sl

With Hurricane Season Started Already for 2006, I thought this video would remind people what it is like with a direct hit to your city, town would be like. Be prepaired for anything! Hurricanes are not something you will say "it will not hit our place!" It is not true, it will hit anywhere along the East Coast, and the Gulf Coast. Be ready, and have things packed just in case!

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Weather Channel: Prepare for Hurricane Season with The Weather Channel

Last year was the most devastating U.S. hurricane season on record and now is the time to prepare for the 2006 season which officially begins today, June 1st.

The Weather Channel is The Hurricane Authority with over 20 years of experience covering hurricanes. We are continually improving our storm coverage on every platform to prepare and protect our customers. Here are highlights of what The Weather Channel has to offer for the 2006 hurricane season:

- It Could Happen Tomorrow – Katrina the Lost Episode, 9pm, June 4th on The Weather Channel. See what our experts predicted in early 2005 and how this foreshadowed the actual events of Hurricane Katrina. This is only one part of Hurricane Week, which starts June 1st with a look back at the unprecedented 2005 season as well as live coverage of the recovery efforts from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

- weather.com Hurricane Central has hurricane preparedness tips as well as in-depth coverage as soon as the first storm forms including new interactive hurricane tracking maps, multiple on-location video reports, expert blogs with behind the scenes analysis, and more.- Coverage everywhere you want it with maps and alerts always on your desktop or you can take The Weather Channel hurricane resources with you on your mobile phone including radar maps, forecasts for any U.S. location, and breaking video reports from The Weather Channel experts. - The experts’ insight on the 2006 season from Dr. Steve Lyons, The Weather Channel Tropical Weather Expert, and all of our meteorologists in the weather.com blog.

Trust The Weather Channel and weather.com to keep you and your family informed and prepared throughout the 2006 hurricane season with these reliable resources and more!

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Hurricane season begins

It's June 1st. That means hurricane season starts today, and it could be another busy season.

After two of the most destructive hurricane seasons on record and forecasts calling for an active six-month season this year, indications are that Floridians are taking hurricane preparation more seriously than ever.

Home improvement chains Home Depot and Lowe's report healthy increases over last year of people buying hurricane supplies during the 12-day sales tax holiday that ends today. Both retailers erected displays at the front of their stores with products ranging from generators and portable TVs to flashlights and batteries of all sizes.

An updated forecast from researchers at the Colorado State University calls for 17 named storms this year, with nine expected to become hurricanes. Five of those are expected to develop into major hurricanes with sustained winds of 111 miles-per-hour or greater.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center and two other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration agencies issued a similar prediction.

Director Max Mayfield at the National Hurricane Center in Miami says we're in an active period for hurricanes that could last a decade or longer.

Mayfield says he hopes a new way of presenting hurricane forecasts will convince people to prepare, even if they're far from a storm's center.

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Weather watcher predicts active hurricane season

The 2006 Atlantic Hurricane season will produce fewer hurricanes and tropical storms than last year, but more than average as tropical Atlantic Ocean temperatures remain "very warm," weather forecaster WSI Corp. predicted Wednesday.

In its first-ever hurricane season outlook, WSI projected five major hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, nine smaller hurricanes, and 15 tropical storms. Strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are classified as tropical storms and always given names.

That forecast is consistent with others that have predicted the 2006 hurricane season — which officially runs from June 1 to November 30 — will probably not match 2005 but would still be more active than average.

The 2005 season saw seven major hurricanes, 15 smaller hurricanes and a record 27 tropical storms. Hurricane Katrina and Rita in August and September devastated swaths of the U.S. Gulf Coast, including the flooding of New Orleans.

The most damage is caused by storms that reach 111 mph or stronger, Category 3 or higher on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane strength.

Earlier Wednesday, noted U.S. storm forecaster William Gray and his Colorado State University forecasting team predicted 17 tropical storms this season. Of those, nine are anticipated to become hurricanes and five will be "major" hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. government's top climate agency, last week forecast 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, for 2006.

However, the predictions last year of NOAA and other forecasters were off the mark. NOAA had predicted only seven to nine hurricanes. In addition, seven of last year's hurricanes were considered "major," while NOAA had predicted only three to five would reach that level.

Last year's hurricanes — including Katrina and Rita, which hit Louisiana and Texas — temporarily knocked out a quarter of U.S. crude and fuel production, toppling offshore platforms, destroying undersea pipelines, flooding coastal refineries and sending energy prices to record highs.

As of this spring, about 20 percent of the Gulf of Mexico's 1.5 million barrel-per-day crude oil production remained shut from the record 2005 storm season, along with 13 percent of the region's 10 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas production.

In preparation for this year's hurricane season, the oil industry has been scrambling to reinforce its infrastructure.

Another factor pointing to a busy storm season is a "wind shear" environment that favors hurricane formation, WSI said, though the expectation of a little more wind shear this year than last year is more conducive to inhibiting hurricanes.

Wind shear is a measure of the change in wind speed and direction at different levels of the atmosphere.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Hurricane tips

• If evacuating, do it early and let family, friends and neighbors know where you are going and how to get in touch with you.
• Have a plan; know where you are going.
• Make sure you have plenty of gasoline.
• If using a generator, make sure it is outside, chained and locked. If put inside, the carbon monoxide the machine gives off could kill you. Chain and lock it so it isn't stolen.
• Know your property's elevation level. If the storm surge is expected to be higher than your elevation level, have sandbags to attempt to block water from entering and evacuate.
• If the electricity is out, treat intersections with flashing traffic lights like a four-way stop.
• Know what shelters are open.
• If you have special needs, register at a special-needs shelter today by calling Cindy McBride at 335-1601.
• Make sure you have plenty of water (1 gallon per person per day, juices, soft drinks, cash to last about 10 days, canned goods, batteries, a flashlight, ice, any medications you are taking, a radio, a can opener, a first-aid kit, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and or lawn chairs, sanitary supplies, road maps, and wet and cold weather clothing.
• Make sure you have an inventory of your valuables. Photograph your valuables before the storm, and if damaged in the storm take photographs afterward.
• Make sure you have your insurance papers, the phone number and address of your insurance company's main branch (not just the local) and the number and address of your bank's main branch (not just the local) in a safe box.
• If you have an infant, make sure you have plenty of diapers and formula.
• If you have a pet, make sure you have plenty of pet food.
• Don't go outside to watch the storm.
• During the storm try to go to a windowless room.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

Families should devise hurricane plan

Just as the schools incorporate hurricane makeup days, families should determine what they will do during a hurricane.

"It's important to sit down with your family and develop a solid plan," said Jody Van Cooney, volunteer spokesperson for the Lee County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Fort Myers. Van Cooney handled thousands of calls during last year's hurricanes.

Everyone should know who to call or where to meet if they are separated during any emergency, she said.

"Get it done now because it works for any disaster. You just never know what's going to happen and people do get displaced."

Furthermore, loved ones who live far away looking for friends or family members should have more than one phone number to call. Van Cooney advises giving loved ones the numbers of neighbors and friends so they don't panic when they can't reach their loved one at home.

Also, people with pets need to make arrangements for their animals before an emergency. "Hotels that take pets fill up quickly," she said.

Your hurricane plan should be detailed and cover what you will do as the storm threatens and hits — and what you will do afterward.

Here are some simple ways the American Red Cross suggests to make your family safer and saner in a hurricane.

Preparations for your children

Decide now who picks them up from school during a storm threat, especially if both parents work.

Start helping them now to deal with any fears: Explain what a hurricane is, what it can do and what preparations your family is making to contend with one.

Prepare for those with special needs

Make arrangements right away for family members who are elderly or who have special needs.

Remember if someone depends on electricity for life support, there probably will be no power after a storm.

Find out if you will have to work

If your job requires you to work during a storm, make sure when the hurricane hits at least one parent or adult relative will be at home (or in the shelter) with the children or adults with special needs.

Have a designated meeting place and a backup.

Meet with your family

Involve the whole family, especially the children, in your preparations.

It's essential that everyone knows early on what the plan is, and each person's role. Each family member should have responsibilities so that work is shared and nothing is overlooked. You're all in this together.

Discuss with your family the types of hazards that could affect them. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances, the safest areas might not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.

Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Decide where you want to be during a hurricane

This may be the toughest decision to make, so make it early.

Authorities recommend you prepare well and stay home if you are not in an evacuation zone. If you decide to go to a shelter, a friend's house or a hotel, don't go too far away or else you'll risk getting trapped on gridlocked roadways.

You can get out of town, but unless you do it days in advance, it may pose several problems. Your home or a local shelter might be a better alternative.

Have backup plans for shelter

If you plan to stay home, have a place to go just in case.

If you're going to an emergency shelter, know which one you're supposed to go to — and know where two others are, for backup. Tell at least two relatives what you're going to do.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

35 Million Live in Hurricane Areas

A look at who lives in coastal areas from North Carolina to Texas, the areas most vulnerable to hurricanes:

_There were 34.6 million people living in coastal areas stretching from North Carolina to Texas, about 12 percent of the nation's population.

_There were 10.2 million people living in those coastal areas in 1950, about 7 percent of the population at that time.

_Florida has the most people at risk: 17.3 million. Of those, about 10.3 million live along the Atlantic and 7 million live along the Gulf of Mexico.

_There are 180,155 square miles of coastal areas from North Carolina to Texas.

_Florida is the most densely populated, with 346 people per square mile.

Source From Al & Mike News http://alandmike.wordpress.com

NASA launches GOES-N weather satellite

After months of delay,
NASA on Wednesday launched a weather satellite that will allow forecasters to better pinpoint severe storms and investigate world climate change.

The GOES-N satellite took off about 6 p.m. on a Boeing Delta 4 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The satellite separated from the rocket as scheduled about 10:30 p.m., putting it on a path for orbit.

The last time a Delta 4 rocket flew — a test flight of the rocket's heavy-lift model in December 2004 — it failed to put a dummy satellite into its intended orbit.

A launch scheduled last August was scrubbed after an alarm indicated low voltage on batteries powering the system that allows the rocket to transmit data to ground stations. The delay was the latest in a series of setbacks dating to last May.

The GOES-N is a step in the development of a family of weather satellites designed and built by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since 1975. It is the first in a series of three new satellites.

"It's not revolutionary … but it has evolutionary improvements," said Steve Kirkner, GOES program manager for NOAA. "What this will provide is better knowledge … better information."

GOES stands for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites.

The satellite carried instruments to transmit high-resolution images, infrared data, and temperature and moisture profiles of the atmosphere. The instruments would allow meteorologists on the ground to take images of weather problem spots and improve short-term forecasts locally.

Steve Letro of the
National Weather Service likened the new satellite to a Christmas gift. It gives meterologists another tool in "the fight against hurricanes, tornadoes and other types of severe weather," he said.

The spacecraft probably won't be in use for at least two years, until one of two satellites currently in orbit runs out of fuel or fails.

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