Season Rolls On

With the 'official' peak of this hurricane season just passed, activity has not slowed. Gabrielle turned out to the Atlantic this weekend after giving the Carolinas a good soaking and a good scare. CNN sources report that it was moving northeast out to sea at about 10 mph. Residents who rode it out said that it was not as bad as was first feared.

Meanwhile, the tropics continue to spawn new storms. Late Wednesday afternoon hurricane watchers were focused on two separate areas of low pressure, one in the Atlantic and one in the Gulf. It looked as though either one could win the race to be the next named storm. Later Wednesday evening the winner emerged from the Gulf to be called Humberto, and headed for the Texas Louisiana Gulf coast. Landfall of this fast developing storm was expected Wednesday night, with heavy rains and a 3 foot storm surge. One of the traits of fast developing storms is increased lightning activity. According to CNN weatherman Chad Myers, Humberto's lightning strikes tripled Wednesday afternoon. It grew fast, but not strong, since it started so close to land and could not gain strength over water. But the trouble with Humberto is its speed, which is very slow. This storm will hang around and, as James Franklin of the NHC says in a Miami herald story, "present a prolonged rainfall threat".

Almost as if not to be outdone, the depression in the Atlantic looks like it has the potential to be a monster. More than eleven hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles, it is officially called Tropical Depression Eight. Myers predicts it will attain tropical storm status of 39 mph winds by Thursday morning, and will then be named Ingrid. It's still early to tell its path, but given its location, the potential exists for growth. Dan Brown of NHC says that crosswinds will lessen in the near future, "which should allow for some strengthening" of Ingrid-to-be. And, as Myers says, "it has a lot of time to get bigger." Estimates have it gaining hurricane status by Monday.

And so it goes (nod to KV)...stay tuned; film at eleven...

Regards,
Stormy