Cristobal Midday Update

I wish I could tell you there is some new or good news regarding our current Tropical Storm.  But in reality, I cannot since there is basically no changes in the guidance from new computer model runs nor to the thinking of the Specialists at NHC (National Hurricane Center). 

 

Tropical Storm Cristobal remains a struggling system due to dry air being entrained around it.  On the visible satellite loop you can see several vortices/swirls rotating around a broad exposed center.  Notice that there are no storms around the center although from the first daylight pictures to now, there has been a flair up of storms away from the center to the west and north.

 

The top pic is from early this morning with the second at the noon hour.  Clearly Cristobal is trying to get better organized and more symmetrical, however, he still remains VERY lopsided as you can see on the enhanced/color IR pic.   That will mean the heaviest rain bands will likely be well east of the centerline track, which is exactly the same as last night.

 

The main impact for us will be the heavy rains that may be worse after dark on Sunday into midday on Monday.  Today's rain model calls for 6-10" over NOLA  all the way over to Mobile. 

 

The strongest wind gusts for Metairie/New Orleans will occur from daybreak Sunday into early on Monday.   RIGHT NOW, the strongest winds are predicted to be between 30-40 mph with gusts to 60.  IF that happens, we are likely to see some power outages tomorrow into Monday.   I will show you how I have prepared my yard in my late afternoon post today.   Not to minimize Tropical Storm Cristobal, but he is not going to become a major hurricane and his impacts will be greatest along the coasts for winds and inland late Sunday into Monday for flooding rains as the tail of the storm sets up training squalls.  Be alert, be prepared for the power to go out and some streets to flood, but don't be scared.  Next post after 4 PM.  Stay tuned!