Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Josephine is Named, Invasion of the Jelly Fish

As I mentioned yesterday, Val & I drove back to Orange Beach today.  As most of you know, NHC elevated the Nor'easter off the Carolina coast to "Subtropical Storm" Josephine, meaning it has acquired some tropical (warm-core) characteristics while still a hybrid (cold-season) system.  This storm is mainly an erosion threat along the East Coast and will head out to sea away from the U.S.  It is the 9th named storm so far.



I have no problem with NHC naming this as it is having impacts for coastal residents, but it is more an impact to shipping. Wave heights are 20+ feet well off shore.



It is considered subtropical for lack of T-Storms around the center.  It has the winds, but not the storms.  Compare Josephine (top) to Major Typhoon Champi nearing Taiwan.



Clearly there is a difference as the reds & yellows around Champi indicate the heavy rain squalls.  Until Josephine pulls away, our weather won't change much.


Finally a beach report...





 


The beach appears to be intact with no effects from Hurricane Isaias.  Kids were out making their sand castles as usual.  However, there is a negative...JELLYFISH !!!





Not just a few, but hundreds and they were the biggest I've ever seen!



All I can think of is they have been brought ashore in the wake of Isaias.  So come to the beach, but be careful if you go into the water!  For my subscribers, not sure I can do a podcast until I get back next week.  Internet speeds are too slow.  Stay tuned & don't worry about Josephine.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Back to Da Beach, Nor'easter Status Quo

Hurricane Isaias chased me from Orange Beach for my birthday week, but it's back to the beach this week as Captain Hylton Petit is celebrating his 80th B-Day this Friday.  Not sure I can do a podcast, but I'll try.  What I will do is take pictures showing how Orange Beach survived Isaias.  I'll post those on Thursday.  IF I can figure out a podcast, that will air Thursday or Friday for all of my subscribers.  Weather-wise, it couldn't be any better, as there will be plenty of sunshine with highs in the 70s and nights around 60. All of that is the result of the stalled Nor'easter.



NHC continues to give it a moderate (40%) chance to become "sub-tropical" later this week.  They are now calling it INVEST 93 L.  It has wave heights 25'+ and is causing some beach erosion.  Models take it out to sea for later this week.





The window for development is closing, and if the models are correct on the future track, impacts will be minimal.  For us, it keeps bringing down the cooler and drier air.  There are no fronts coming for another 7-10 days, meaning we should stay dry & pleasantly cool.





There is an area of clouds across the western Gulf, but that is drifting into Texas.



So for the next 5-7 days, look for Sunny, mild days and comfy cool nights.



Only in the western Pacific do we find a major typhoon(Champi, 180 mph).



He is expected to weaken as he turns towards Japan.  Our tropical season is over as hurricanes do not like cooler air.  Enjoy.  Stay tuned!