Pay Attention Time Next 6 Weeks...

While we watch Gert try to become the season’s 2^nd hurricane far off the east coast, we need not pay attention to her since the NHC track curves her far out to sea.  Dr. Rick Knabb ( Former Director of NHC now with The Weather Channel) mentioned that 25 years ago a tropical wave was moving off of Africa into the TNA (Tropical North Atlantic).  That wave would do little for the next 7 days until it became Tropical Storm Andrew on Aug. 21^st north of Puerto Rico.  We all know Andrew became a Cat. 5 Hurricane plowing into south Florida and then making second landfall into south Louisiana.  August 15 till October 1^st is our PAY ATTENTION TIME, a period when historically we have the best chance for a tropical threat.  Computer models are picking up on several waves during the next 7-10 days that could become Harvey and Irma.  What we need to pay attention to is their tracks.  The models suggest these storms will be farther to the south than Gert and that is not what we want.   I am not getting nervous yet since there is nothing to track, but I am suggesting this week might be a good time to make sure you have your hurricane supplies (water, canned food, charcoal etc) in case one of these storms gets close.  Also, if you don’t have a second story, window protection (shutters) and a generator (power), then you need to know where you will go and how you will get there IF an evacuation is needed.  I don’t mean some motel that will cost $$$. No, I suggest you check with relatives or close friends who would be willing to put you and your family up for a week or longer.  Evacuations can be very expensive if you have to pay for lodging & restaurant food every night.   Try to minimize these expenses by planning ahead.   I’m not saying we’ll have to put your plan to use this season, but we are in the PAY ATTENTION TIME.  So far, no model brings a system into the Gulf during the next 7-10 days.  Stay tuned!

 

In the short term, this week should see fewer PM storms as an upper high builds over us.  That should mean highs will soar into the low to mid 90s providing the lift needed to bubble up some very strong PM storms.    I went thru one such storm this afternoon while I was coming back south on the Causeway.  I hit a wall of water at mile marker 7 that reduced visibility to near zero.  Even at 40 mph, I was nervous that someone would stop in front of me.  Luckily, it cleared just as I reached the South Shore, but Mother nature did give me a scare!  Whew!