New tropical depression expected to form this week, move toward Florida

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a broad area of low pressure far out in the Atlantic Ocean it gives a "greater than 50 percent" chance of becoming a tropical depression by Tuesday. It would be named Erika if it became a tropical storm or hurricane.

The system is located about 700 miles east of the Windward Islands, according to a 2 a.m. bulletin, and is moving northwest at about 15 mph.

Computer models run on Sunday night predict the storm continuing toward Florida and passing near Puerto Rico by this weekend, but vary widely thereafter.

From Tampabay.com

Hurricane Katrina 4th Anniversary Today

Today marks the 4th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in New Orleans.

There's a variety of news coverage including President Obama's weekly radio address.

Hurricane Katrina born 4 years ago tonight as Depression #12

Tropical Depression 12 formed an estimated 175 miles southeast of Nassau, and was moving northwest near 8 mph.

Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for the Central and Northwestern Bahamas.

The National Hurricane Center discusses the possibility of this depression becoming a hurricane and alerts Southern Florida, that a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch might be needed later that evening.

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Is God protecting Florida from Hurricanes at Governor Crist's request?

August 22, 2009

Florida Governor Charlie Crist thanks God that hurricanes have stayed away from Florida

Could it be divine intervention that's kept Florida safe from hurricanes since Gov. Charlie Crist took office?

Crist told a group of real estate agents Friday that he's had prayer notes placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem each year and no major storms have hit Florida. Crist said he's not taking credit for the lack of storms in this hurricane-prone state.

Read more

Hurricane Bill from the International Space Station

Impressive storm, impressive video! Click here

Hurricane Bill to meet President Obama on Martha's Vineyard this Sunday?

One of the only portions of the United States currently in Hurricane Bill's 5-day "cone of uncertainty" is Martha's Vineyard where President Obama and family are scheduled to arrive this Sunday (August 23rd) for their summer vacation.

The 11am cone indicates that Bill could arrive at the same time!

3 Storms Projected Paths as of 8-16-09

From left to right: Ana, Claudette, & Bill

2 TS + 1 TD = Time to wake up!

Lulled a bit into complacency from a nearly Storm free 2008 in Florida and no named storms through first 75 days of 2009, Ana, Bill and Tropical Depression #4 greet us this Sunday morning.


Time to check the supply list and pay attention to the NHC updates every 3 hours.

Happen to be in Miami this weekend and felt the precursor to TD #4 as it swept through here Saturday. Rained nearly all day long! Not a good day to have a leaky window. TD #4 could become Claudette later today and Bill may be up to hurricane status later today or by Monday. Probably will become a major storm.

Ana finally forms!

The much talked about first named storm of the season is here - well really "out there".

A tropical storm so far with 40 MPH winds. Could affect Florida by mid-week. Eyes up!

Hurricane Disaster Voyeurism Cartoon

--Click to enlarge--

http://xkcd.com/611/

Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray Updated Hurricane Forecast

December 2008 to August 2009 Change
Named Storms 14-10 (-29%)
Named Storm Days 70-45 (-36%)
Hurricanes 7-4 (-43%)
Hurricane Days 30-18 ( -40%)
Major Hurricanes 3-2 (-33%)
Major Hurricanes Days 7-4 (-43%)

Gotta love that El Nino. The Full Report

Hurricane Forecast Updates due this week

Updated forecast from Phil Klotzbach & Dr. William Gray from Colorado State University due tomorrow August 4th and NOAA's should be out later this week. No named storms thus far, but those who follow know that we are just now heading into the "real" season and there are 4 months yet to go.

Meanwhile, the Florida universities want to get in the game (and why should they let a research center at a school in Colorado get all the attention?)

And isn't only appropriate that the University of Miami ("Hurricanes") be building a $48 million research complex?!

Time Magazine 8/2/09 - Florida Looks at New Ideas for Battling Hurricanes

Highlights:

• Bill Gates' novel "ocean going tub" concept (to be funded by coastal residents according to the patent filing July 9th)
• Use of 250,000 foreclosed homes as temporary shelters
• One way evacuation plan

Nothing really new. Read it here