Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Fall Fronts Are Coming Early...

Sometimes Summer seems to linger into October ( remember 1980? 90+ into 1st week of October) and we even have tropical threats (Juan 1985). Not gonna happen this year if you can believe the computer models for the next 14 days. As an east coast storm misses us this week, we'll benefit by being on the dry side with northerly winds. Another cold front arrives late next Tuesday followed by a stronger cold front for the first week in October. These early fronts should start cooling down the northern Gulf waters plus steer any tropical systems far to our east. I'm feeling better each day that our hurricane season is over for 2008. What we have learned from this season is 1) our rebuilt levees will work for a strong Cat. 2 or a weak fast moving Cat. 3 storm and 2) our eroding wetlands allow more water to flow into areas not protected by levees. We must start rebuilding our coasts BEFORE next year's hurricane season. It will take years to make a real difference, but rebuilt wetlands/barrier islands combined with higher levees and gated structures will make SE Louisiana livable for future generations.

The tropical disturbance that has been flooding Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic remains poorly organized tonight. It has a mid level circulation but it is interacting with tall mountains and that should hinder development until it moves farther northward during the next day or so. Computer models tonight keep it far off the East Coast as it heads out to sea. With the upper environment in the Gulf very hostile (wind shear) for the next 2 weeks, we should have no tropical troubles.

Finally, Clem Gendron died this past week at age 85. I didn't know Clem, but he was the weatherman who replaced Nash Roberts at Ch. 6 back in 1973. Nash came to Ch. 8 for 4 years (73-77) and then I replaced Nash in 1978 when Nash went to Ch. 4. Who replaced Clem? Do you remember Russ Minshew(deceased) then Dallas Rains (now in Los Angeles) then John Hambleton(retired) and finally Dan Milham.

2 comments:

weatherman said...

Bob, why is October so dry while just the month before we were still dealing with summer?

Father G said...

I remember Clem Gendron...I was only a little kid at the time but I do remember him on the news and especially that he was always very well dressed...God rest his soul.
And of course Dallas Raines...he was funny on TV, always cracking jokes.