Bravo Ken Graham, New Director of NWS

It's always nice to report good news since much of what we see is often negative and depressing.  However, in case you missed it in today paper, Ken Graham, former Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been appointed assistant administrator of NOAA & the 17th Director of the National Weather Service effective June 7th.  Perhaps many of you remember Ken before he became the Director of the NHC?  Ken was Meteorologist-in-charge of the local Slidell/Baton Rouge office of NWS.  Ken really is a giant of a man (6'5") who is a terrific leader and teacher.   I'm proud to have worked with Ken through the many hurricanes after Katrina. In Ken's place, Jamie Rhome is the acting Director of NHC for this season.  Ken is the top photo with Jamie the bottom.

Fortunately, we are in a quiet stretch over the Tropics but NHC is predicting an area in the Pacific to turn active.  In addition, the GFS is at it again.

The GFS is bring a Tropical Storm/hurricane into the Gulf in the 12-14 day time frame heading towards the upper Texas coast.   This model has not done very well so far this year over forecasting development on several previous disturbances.   

 

Right now there is so much Saharan Dust flowing across the Atlantic into the Caribbean that any development is unlikely.   Joe Bastardi with WeatherBell Analytics updated his seasonal forecast honing in on the Eastern Gulf & Caribbean for greatest concerns.

He didn't increase his total numbers forecast, but he did increase (from 7 to 10) the area from NOLA to Cape Hatteras as most likely for impacts.   As always, we'll watch and wait.

There is a weak upper high to our west limiting the number of showers around us.  However, we should see a cluster of storms rotating around the high tomorrow afternoon and again on Friday.   

Dew points (top) in the 70s are making it feel much hotter than it is.  The cluster of storms to our north should weaken, but reform over us on Thursday.  Our highest rain chance come Thursday, Friday & Saturday with the upper high building back over us for next week.

You know the drill, if we get the daily scattered storms, it keeps us less hot.  If not, we threaten record highs.  My fishing trip was cancelled due to a sick Captain so that's why I'm posting.   Stay tuned!