The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
-Psalm 19:1

Do you know that God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
-Job 37:15



Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Don't let Gustav's weakness fool you.

OK, I want to cover a lot this morning, so bear with me...

First and foremost, the system formerly known as Tropical Storm Fay continues to cause disasters everywhere she goes, still dropping tons of rain over the areas she voyages. Fortunately, she has moved on from my neck of the woods, where we now have plenty of water from this drought-buster... thanks, Fay. In fact, here are some shots of my Fay-free sky yesterday evening, which cast an almost green coloring to the sky. It was very interesting. Most recently, her impact was felt in Charlotte where evacuations and rescues were the result of her torrential rains. Yesterday, we saw 10 tornado reports resulting from the crazy storm that JUST WON'T QUIT! Another tornado watch was issued this morning in the Carolinas and along the coast. With our already record setting tornadic year, these recent reports just boost our annual total to 1,917 tornado reports... now, these reports overstate actual tornado counts by an estimated 30%, but still 1,342 tornadoes is a huge cumulative total for it just being AUGUST. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, the ANNUAL TOTAL was less than what we already likely have as a count, and we still have 4 months left to the year, including the secondary tornado season... In fact, the 10 year annual trend indicates an average total over the 10 years of 1,270 for an entire year. I'm afraid that we have and will (pardon the pun, but I simply had to...) blow that away... Now, they are showing state totals through May with departures from the 10 year average printed below. This has and will be an extraordinary year!I am amazed at this data. This year has been exceptional.

Onto Gustav, Haiti took a lot out of that hurricane, bringing him down to just a tropical storm, but please don't think that because of that, he is nothing to worry about. The models are consistently leading this system over the open waters of the Caribbean Sea and into the Gulf of Mexico around Sunday/Monday as a hurricane, eventually becoming a MAJOR hurricane and making landfall somewhere along the Gulf coast. The National Hurricane Center has its sights set in Louisiana. Every interest along the Gulf of Mexico should be ready for this one though. As we have seen, ANYTHING can happen.

IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THERE IS NEARLY AN EQUAL CHANCE THAT GUSTAV WILL BE A CATEGORY 1...CATEGORY 2...OR CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE AT THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD.~source


Oh, and before I forget... I received an "I love your blog" award from Nicole! Thanks, Nicole!! Pay it forward time, right? I have decided to be a rule breaker... and make my own rules... I am going to pick 7 of my favorite blogs (not an easy feat, I assure you), let them know... they can either do something with the award or not. Up to them... (If I didn't pick yours... sorry.)

1. Nicole - Turn about is fair game... It's always great to see how fast those kids of yours are growing up and hear about all the exciting things you have going on... You keep it very real. I am honored to be your friend.

2. Courtney - Love her photography and her inspirational spirit. The music is always great too! A scraporific friend, to boot.

3. Alabama Mike - I can always count on Mike getting me up to date on any weather events I might have missed, even it's because it was before I was born. The guy (my friend) is a weather-pedia.

4. Christine - Newest Weather Brigade member and a dear friend. I have had fun teaching her some things... and now, she's the one teaching me... she is my official weather researcher.

5. Sky Watch Friday - through this wonderful blog, I can soar around the world in just a short time enjoying everyone's beautiful skies.

6. Beth - a wonderful photographer and dear friend with an amazing eye for the artistic! She does incredible macro work! I mean I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E!

7. Oklahoma Steve - Always good for a laugh... a rise... a contrary opinion... or just a generalized "WHAT?!" I always like to see what's on his mind.

That's all I have to say for now.

Stay tuned for updates about Gustav!
Toodles,
~Dewdrop

Posted by Dewdrop at 9:22 AM
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8 comments:

  1. Mike Wilhelm8/27/2008 12:49 PM

    Thank you!!!!! Remember, it's not that I'm old, I just have been a wx geek starting at a young age!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rena8/27/2008 3:32 PM

    Gosh, I hope Gustav doesn't do anything too major. I would sure hate to say that name or hear it 100 times like Katrina. Who comes up with these names any old ways. LOL. Thanks for the update. No hard feelings on loving my blog award. Perhaps when I get a few more under my belt. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Steve Miller8/27/2008 3:37 PM

    I would like to thank, first and foremost, my mom and dad for bringing me into this world, my wife for helping me make fun of storm chasing and other storm chasers, not to mention society in general; my two index fingers, as they carry a lot of the weight around the blog studio with many, many keystrokes prior to publishing each piece of work. I would like to thank the Academy for not forgetting us little people and... (music starts to play) last, thank you to all of those people I have stepped on and belittled in the years past. You made me what I am today and each and every day that you fail and I write about it is like going to Wal-Mart or better yet, the state fair, and seeing all those folks that simply make me feel better about myself.
    Thank you and good night.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous8/27/2008 4:06 PM

    *the applause still roaring in my ears from having to speak behind Steve*

    Okay people, settle down. He left the stage a half hour ago!

    :P

    WOW... So many surprises from ya'll, not sure which way to turn. Thank you. I do appreciate it, and I see that I am in some good company!

    So, Mike is Mr. Weatherapedia, huh? *nods* Yup, he and I will get along great!! :D

    Thanks chica!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mike Wilhelm8/27/2008 5:09 PM

    Christine... I bet we will!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beth Ellen8/27/2008 10:19 PM

    Aww shucks. Thanks Dew.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dewdrop8/28/2008 9:06 AM

    Mike, You're welcome, and yes, Christine, a true weatherpedia!! He knows about every tornado in recorded history and most likely has coverage in his extensive tornado video collection. You guys truly will get along great!

    Rena, If you seriously want to know...

    Beth, I told you I love your blog. Didn't you believe me?

    Steve, roflmao! So glad I picked you!

    Christine, You're very welcome... for the rest of your response, see above... :O)





    "Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. The original name lists featured only women's names. In 1979, men's names were introduced and they alternate with the women's names. Six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2008 list will be used again in 2014. Here is more information about the history of naming hurricanes."

    As for Gustav, yes, let's all pray that he doesn't become another "Katrina". How awful. Unfortunately, the models aren't supporting that desire.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tom8/28/2008 3:09 PM

    Another fantastic posting for all who drop by here.. we are your very own dew-drop-bys ha!..
    Thanks also for the mention in your awards... Sky Watch is everybody's so we all get to share..

    ReplyDelete

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