Irma Approaching Puerto Rico...

Hurricane Irma has moved over the northern Leeward Islands overnight and is now just east of Puerto Rico.  It appears the north side of the Island will get into the eyewall during the next 6-12 hours so expect some scary video showing buildings falling apart.  Video out of Barbuda showed whole tree limbs flying off. Usually trees can be stripped of their leaves, but for whole limbs to be ripped off indicates the force of 185+ mph winds.  There has been a big shift to the EAST (away from us) in the overnight model runs.   In fact, many models now have the center of Irma turning sooner to the north staying just off the east coast of Florida.   This could just be model flip-flopping and the next run could be back farther to the west.  However, if this trend is confirmed, it would keep the worse side (eastern) of Irma & the highest storm surge offshore.  It’s still too soon to guarantee this track so evacuation of the Keys began at daybreak.   IF the east track becomes reality, places like Disney World, Tampa & Ft. Myers would be spared the strongest, damaging winds.  The “gold Coast” still would be hammered so I don’t want to minimize the danger.  An eastern track would also place Georgia & the Carolinas in great danger.  We’ll see what the models bring later this PM.

 

The cold front has arrive here and is pushing down into the Gulf.  Another upper disturbance will re-enforce the east coast trough protecting us from Irma coming our way.  This will be a wonderful stretch of early Fall in New Orleans.  Without humidity…what we gonna do?   Still focus on Irma.  All signs now indicate she’ll make the turn to the north sooner.  Let’s hope so for us & Florida.  Stay tuned!