Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Tropical Atlantic quiet; Southern California fire event possible Friday
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 02:26 PM GMT am 12. November 2008 +1
The remains of Hurricane Paloma continue to spin over the Caribbean waters just south of Cuba, but wind shear is a high 30 knots, and there is virtually no chance that Paloma will regenerate. Elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic, there are no threat areas to discuss, and none of our reliable models are predicting tropical storm formation over the next seven days. There is an extratropical low pressure system that is expected to separate from the jet stream in the middle Atlantic just south of the Azores Islands 5-7 days from now, and it is possible this low could gradually acquire some tropical characteristics and become a subtropical storm late next week as it wanders over the open Atlantic Ocean. Such a storm would only be a threat to shipping interests, and I am not expecting any more tropical storms this season that will threaten land areas. With wind shear expected to rise over the Caribbean later this week, and continue to remain at high levels until late November, it is likely that the Atlantic hurricane season of 2008 is finally over in the Caribbean.

Paloma clean-up continues
The recovery effort from Hurricane Paloma continues in the Cayman Islands and Cuba. Paloma roared through the Cayman Islands Friday night and Saturday morning as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds, brushing Grand Cayman Island, but pounding the "Sister Islands" to the northeast--Little Cayman and Cayman Brac--with its northern eyewall. The hardest-hit Cayman island was Cayman Brac, population 2,000. About half of the island's population is homeless, and 95% of the structures on the island are damaged and 30% missing their roofs. The Cayman Compass reports that electricity is still out to most of the island, though Internet and cell phone service have been restored. Damage was also very heavy on Little Cayman Island, which suffered damage to approximately 90% of its buildings.

In Cuba, leader Raul Castro said yesterday that Cuba had suffered at least $10 billion in damage from Hurricanes Ike, Gustav, and Paloma. Paloma was the least damaging of the three, accounting for $1.4 billion of the damage total. This year was the first time on record that three major hurricanes have hit Cuba.


Figure 1. Hurricane Paloma near maximum intensity at 1:35 pm EST November 8, 2008. At the time, Paloma was a Category 4 hurricane with 140-145 mph winds. Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory.

Southern California fire event possible this week
A moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event is shaping up for Southern California Friday and Saturday, as high pressure builds in to the north and east. The clockwise flow of air around this high pressure system will drive strong east-to-west offshore winds from the mountains to the ocean over the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. A Fire Weather Watch has already been posted for the mountain regions near Los Angeles, where wind gusts up to 60 mph are expected Friday and Saturday. Very windy, dry, and hot conditions are expected Friday and Saturday over Southern California, and the San Diego area will see near record temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above average.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Fire
  Permalink | A A A
Reader Comments
Display: 0, 50, 100, 200 Sort: Newest First - Order Posted
Viewing: 1 - 51

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9Blog Index

1. Beachfoxx 02:32 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Terrible destruction in both Cuba and the Caymans...

Thanks for the updates Dr. M. : )
Member Since: Juli 10, 2005 Posts: 153 Comments: 29285
2. JRRP 02:34 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
thanks !!
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4306
3. JRRP 02:42 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
.
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4306
4. moonlightcowboy 02:44 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Thanks, Dr.
Member Since: Juli 9, 2006 Posts: 179 Comments: 28118
5. JRRP 02:45 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
.
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4306
6. JRRP 02:48 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
9n 42w has some circulation
Link
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4306
7. JRRP 02:49 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
.
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4306
8. surfmom 02:51 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
57. surfmom 9:25 AM EST on November 12, 2008
Morning Orca, We need to get those storms clouds out of your neighborhood - 2nd day of yuck weather?

when does your postal guy show? my postal guy said the canadian postal system is notoriously slow...now I found that hard to believe.. is it so.

Cause with that weather you and the Mrs. deserve some tropical sunshine delivered to your door.
Member Since: Juli 18, 2007 Posts: 30 Comments: 26538
9. surfmom 02:55 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Thx Dr. -- poor Caymans -- so harmless, such a gentle place to have to suffer the effects of a cane.....
Member Since: Juli 18, 2007 Posts: 30 Comments: 26538
10. HIEXPRESS 02:57 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
I saw that critical fire weather area coming up
on the SPC website as early as Thursday. I hope it doesn't materialize for our brother & sister firefighters (& residents/visitors) out West. http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/FIRE/fires-sw.html
Member Since: Oktober 13, 2005 Posts: 4 Comments: 2153
11. conchygirl 03:02 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Thanks for the update - happy to hear no more tropical storms.

Member Since: Juni 11, 2008 Posts: 24 Comments: 5910
12. CaicosRetiredSailor 03:07 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Figure 1. Hurricane Paloma near maximum intensity at maximum intensity at 1:35 pm EST November 8, 2008.

hmmmmm.....

I'm glad that I am not the only one who does things like that.... :)
CRS
Member Since: Juli 12, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 5124
13. eddye 03:08 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
how cold is it going to get in south florida next week
Member Since: August 12, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 983
16. TampaSpin 03:30 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
THanks Dr. M. i dido your thinking.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
17. MisterJohnny 03:31 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Thank You for the update Dr. Masters !
18. Tazmanian 03:34 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
14. 15hurricanes 7:18 AM PST on November 12, 2008
Thanks, Dr.

2008 Atlantic and East Pacific hurricane seasons:

There are more major hurricanes in Atlantic than East Pacific this year!!! WOW!!!



he sould have said this


there where more major hurricanes in Atlantic then they where in the East Pacific this year


then we can under stan what he was saying a little better
Member Since: Mai 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346
19. Tazmanian 03:37 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
hurricane season is now overe
Member Since: Mai 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346
20. Seastep 03:49 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
I see Doc gives CMC same respect as many here. LOL.

Link
Member Since: September 9, 2008 Posts: 6 Comments: 3406
21. TampaSpin 03:52 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
I did update my blog this morning if anyone would like to review....

TampaSpins Blog Link
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
22. Hurricane4Lex 03:53 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
morning all

sorry to say but shuttle launch could be delayed

Link

will get more info on this as the day goes on
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 657
23. CybrTeddy 03:55 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
I wouldn't be surprised to see Paloma retired.
Member Since: Juli 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20240
24. Hurricane4Lex 03:58 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
here's another news link

Link

what do you think?

I think they may launch

Fay and Hanna already delayed them
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 657
25. Hurricane4Lex 04:04 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
I wouldn't be surprised to see Paloma retired.


I'd retire her because of the destruction caused on brac

but I don't know if they'll do it

have to check the loss of life (hope there's none)
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 657
26. newt3d 04:08 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Quoting Seastep:
I see Doc gives CMC same respect as many here. LOL.

Link


The CMC is an interesting model. Sometimes, it predicts storm formation that other models miss. Often times, it predicts storm formation that does not verify.

I think of the CMC as the paranoid uncle of the model family that keys off of subtle variations and runs wild with them. A lot of times, its just nonsense, but if it says something a few model runs in a row though, it deserves another look.
Member Since: Oktober 6, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 85
27. Hurricane4Lex 04:21 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
what's that? (besides saying its an area of interest)

Link

could it be the last one the Doc talked about?
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 657
28. 786 04:30 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Thats a good looking and large system, the wind shear though will keep it in check however if and when it attempts to move N I think....
Member Since: August 18, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 910
29. Hurricane4Lex 04:39 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
be back at afternoon or evening

re to 28:

I'll keep my eye on it but it does look like shear will keep it in check

thanks for your reply 786
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 657
30. TampaSpin 04:39 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Quoting newt3d:


The CMC is an interesting model. Sometimes, it predicts storm formation that other models miss. Often times, it predicts storm formation that does not verify.

I think of the CMC as the paranoid uncle of the model family that keys off of subtle variations and runs wild with them. A lot of times, its just nonsense, but if it says something a few model runs in a row though, it deserves another look.


Actully the CMC is not all that far off possibly.....as other models are hinting at something in that area also in about 96hrs.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
31. IKE 05:10 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Gosh this blog is s-l-o-w.......

Price of a barrel of crude oil is down to $56.50.

Get ready for gas under 2 bucks a gallon. Of course, the economy is tanking...no one has any $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Member Since: Juni 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
32. TheCaneWhisperer 05:11 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Ex Paloma back to yellow?
33. TheCaneWhisperer 05:13 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Quoting IKE:
Gosh this blog is s-l-o-w.......

Price of a barrel of crude oil is down to $56.50.

Get ready for gas under 2 bucks a gallon. Of course, the economy is tanking...no one has any $$$$$$$$$$$$$


$45 dollar fill up this week, down from $85 peak, I almost busted out the "Carlton Dance". I've had the car for 2 years now and that is the lowest it's been, it was $55 to fill up when I bought it.
34. TheCaneWhisperer 05:14 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Seems to go down about $10 a week
35. melwerle 05:16 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
31. Ike - paid 1.94/gallon this morning...filled the tank up 1/2 way for $10!!!
Member Since: Juni 28, 2006 Posts: 12 Comments: 1837
36. IKE 05:21 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
It's running around $2.17.9 here in Defuniak Springs,Fl...we have a county tax of 5 cents a gallon to fund road pavements in Walton County.

I heard GM is losing over $1,000 on every vehicle they make. No wonder they need a bailout.
Member Since: Juni 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
37. hondaguy 05:22 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
31. IKE 5:10 PM GMT on November 12, 2008
Gosh this blog is s-l-o-w.......

Price of a barrel of crude oil is down to $56.50.

Get ready for gas under 2 bucks a gallon. Of course, the economy is tanking...no one has any $$$$$$$$$$$$$


Gas is under $2 in western Louisiana, and nearly 3 weeks ago I heard gas was $1.99 in some parts of TX.

It's actually freeing up a lot of my $$$$. lol

38. IKE 05:26 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Quoting hondaguy:
31. IKE 5:10 PM GMT on November 12, 2008
Gosh this blog is s-l-o-w.......

Price of a barrel of crude oil is down to $56.50.

Get ready for gas under 2 bucks a gallon. Of course, the economy is tanking...no one has any $$$$$$$$$$$$$


Gas is under $2 in western Louisiana, and nearly 3 weeks ago I heard gas was $1.99 in some parts of TX.

It's actually freeing up a lot of my $$$$. lol



Same here. I'm in sales and it's helped quite a bit.
Member Since: Juni 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
39. IKE 05:38 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
12Z CMC no longer shows a Caribbean system. What it does show is cold-air heading into the SE USA....Link
Member Since: Juni 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
40. TampaSpin 05:47 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
DJIA*
8,468.71
-225.25
-2.59%
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
41. TampaSpin 05:51 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
I do believe i told everyone the Dow would go down if Obama wins......I don't see it getting better any time soon. Many said his victory would make the Dow go up immediately....Think again.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
44. TampaSpin 05:57 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
Ya your correct...

Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
50. surfmom 06:23 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
aiiii yaiii yaiii - I have a cat 5 of office work today & barn later -- need some sheer to take the paperwork away -- back this evening
Member Since: Juli 18, 2007 Posts: 30 Comments: 26538
51. TampaSpin 06:28 PM GMT am 12. November 2008    
MONTHLY RTN
+3.96%
WEEKLY RTN
+5.31%
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747

Viewing: 1 - 51

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9Blog Index

New Comment
Community Standards Policy Comments will take a few seconds to appear.
Post Your Comments
Please sign in to post comments.
Not only will you be able to leave comments on this blog, but you'll also have the ability to upload and share your photos in our Wunder Photos section.
About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

Community Activity