Saturday, July 16, 2005

Wet...then warm

Heavy rainfall fell in parts today with radar estimates of 2 inches in less than an hour just north of Meridian. A few locations saw flash flooding due to the heavy rain falling on already saturated ground. The showers and thunderstorms are decreasing in coverage and will continue to do so as the sun sets and we lose the daytime heating.

Sunday appears to be wet as well as several boundaries will be in place from today's thunderstorms. Those boundaries, combined with abundant moisture and daytime heating, will be the focal point for afternoon storms again tomorrow. Drier air starts to slide in tomorrow evening and will aid in a warming trend as we start the week. Temperatures will top out in the mid 90s as we get into Tuesday and Wednesday with decreasing rain chances as the week wears on.

Hurricane Emily continues on its trek westward towards the Yucatan Peninsula. As of 7 pm, Emily was a dangerous Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. A Category 5 storm has winds of 156+ mph. It would not suprise me if Emily was fluctuating between Category 4 and Category 5 strength. It does not appear to be a threat to us, but we will continue to watch it and keep you up to date.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Showers and Thunderstorms Today!

With all the moisture in the air, the hot July sun was quick to spark showers and thunderstorms early today. Most of them are located along and south of the I 20 corridor. Those will slowly continue off to the north and east.

Expect cloudy skies with showers and occasional storms to roll through for the remainder of the afternoon. The storms will slowly dissipate as we head into the evening and the sun sets.

The abundant moisture across deep south is due in part to the remnants of Dennis. He is still pinwheeling around about 125 miles westnorthwest of Lexington, Kentucky. Dennis is certainly not a wind threat any longer, just a huge rain maker!

All the wind is once again down in the Carribean Sea associated with Hurricane Emily. She is a very compact storm located about 395 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. The second major hurricane already this season has weakened slightly. Winds as of the 2pm AST advisory were down to 115 mph. She remains a major hurricane however.

The current track looks as if she will threaten the Mexico/Texas border by Wednesday morning. High pressure to the storm's north should keep the storm on it's path toward the west/westnorthwest. The current movement is to the west 20mph.

Although we should be in the all clear for Emily, unlike Dennis, you can always tune in to Newscenter 11 Weather for the very latest on the Storm and her projected path.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Watching Emily...

* Hurricane Emily is really getting her act together now. Here is the latest information from the National Hurricane Center:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/141741.shtml

* Emily is now almost a major hurricane - this would be the SECOND major hurricane in July! The 2005 hurricane season is off to a roaring start...

* It looks like Emily will stay south of us, likely moving into the Yucatan Peninsula, then moving into the coast of southern Texas or Mexico. Our friends down there need to watch Emily closely - water temperatures are VERY warm, and Emily will likely be a very strong hurricane at landfall.

* We'll continue watching the tropics during this active season!

Monday, July 11, 2005

Emily is Born...

* No rest for the weary...Tropical Storm Emily formed tonight in the central Atlantic Ocean. Winds are at 45 mph, and movement is to the WNW. Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/120233.shtml


* MUCH too early to say where Emily is going, but early indications are that Emily could affect the U.S. sometime next week. The computer model guidance takes Emily into the northern Caribbean, strengthening it into a hurricane...

* We'll be watching...

Dennis Wrap-Up

* The worst of Dennis is over around here. The center of circulation is moving north, and all of the precipitation is north of the center - across northern and central Alabama, north of our area. I believe sunrise tomorrow will show that rural parts of southwest Alabama were hit harder than is known right now. We'll see....We'll also be watching for flooding problems across west Alabama.

* How great is the VIPIR system? We were fortunate to have had the chance to use the system on a trial basis yesterday during our coverage of Hurricane Dennis. If you liked the new look, be sure to leave a comment and let us know! Hopefully with enough good response from you, we can make some upgrades in our weather department. While I'm thinking about it...

* Radar here is a problem. We are "in between" National Weather Service radars. Three radars are near us - Mobile, Jackson, and Birmingham. The problem is found in the way that radar works. Radar sends out a beam, and that beam rises higher and higher above the ground as you go away from the radar. By being so far away from ANY radar, we often can't see things in the lowest levels of the atmosphere. That's a big problem, because tornadoes form in these lowest levels!

* Tropical Depression 5 formed last night in the Atlantic. The official NHC forecast calls for the TD to become Tropical Storm Emily, and eventually strengthens the system into a hurricane. The forecast track from NHC takes Emily in the general direction of the U.S. No rest for the weary....

Sunday, July 10, 2005

10:00 PM Dennis Update

As of 10:00 pm, Dennis is still weakening and is a tropical storm with sustained winds of 50 mph. The main threat at this time is going to be excessive rainfall. Many areas have seen up to 8" of rain (radar estimated) and additional rainfall will only enhance flooding potential. We have received several reports of downed trees and powerlines and appreciate all of the reports you have sent today/tonight. Again, a few strong wind gusts are certainly possible tonight as Dennis moves out of the area but rainfail is our main concern. Thank you from everyone at WTOK for watching our coverage as well as participating with the many great calls and reports of damage and closings.

Tropical Storm Dennis

As of 8:00 pm CDT, Dennis was downgraded to a Tropical Storm with winds sustained at 60 mph. Weather should start improving for MOST of our area. The storm is weakening and continues to track to the north. The center will pass over some of our eastern counties in west alabama, such as Morengo and Sumter counties, where winds could get as high as 60 mph. We are still watching a tornado threat as well with our radar data showing some rotation/shear within the center of circulation. Tornadoes have not been a problem thus far but we will certainly continue to watch that.

Conditions will gradually continue to improve south of I-20 in Mississippi. Do not drive around at this time. This will be a slow, gradual improvement. If the center of the storm tracks over you, conditions will worsen. We expect winds of 60 mph and heavy rains near the center of circulation. Many of us will continue to see rain and higher wind gusts. Over the next 6 hours we do expect a gradual improvement in Mississippi and conditions will improve once the center of circulation passes through west Alabama.

Repeating...Dennis now a Tropical Storm with sustained winds of 60 mph.

7:15 Damage Reports

* Here are some of the reports we've received over the past hour or so from Meridian...

Bragg Avenue between St. Charles and St. Luke streets is closed due to a
downed tree.

The traffic light at 14th Street and 23rd Avenue is not working and is
hanging precariously.

Ninth Avenue and 18th Street is blocked.

Union Station will close at 7 p.m. Greyhound has already suspended buses
in and out of Meridian.

Highway 39 North at 41st Street is blocked.

Highway 45 South near White Castle--the northbound lane, coming i to
Meridian, is closed by downed tree limbs.

**Thanks to Maureen Lofton from the city of Meridian for these reports**

Wind Reports

Getting some reports of wind gusts of 60 mph at KMEI. Also numerous reports coming in now of power outages and trees be knocked down.

Now is the time to stay inside. Do not drive in this weather. Please stay inside and stay tuned to our multiple sources of information for the latest on Hurricane Dennis.

6pm Dennis Update

After a brief walk outside (and consequently getting soaked), the weather is deteriorating fast. I would estimate the top wind gust outdoors was 50 mph which is verified by a 48 mph gust at KMEI.

Winds: 80 mph

Pressure: 962 mb

Movement NNW 21 mph

Still thinking the movement will be between Meridian and Livingston. By that time I would not be suprised if the storm is down to Tropical Storm Dennis, however some wind gusts above hurricane force (greater than 74 mph) is not out of the question. Heavy rain amounts is a big concern and flooding is likely in many areas. Reports continue to pour into our studios of downed trees and powerlines. Continue to write on our blog any report of either wind/rain reports or else damage that you occur.

Continue to watch WTOK on television and online as well as the blog for further updates.

Streaming Video

The video is located on www.wtok.com The homepage. There is a huge picture that says streaming video....click on that link.

Initial reports coming in...

We just received reports of trees and powerlines down in Choctaw Co., AL. Radar showing a little wobble to the west. Our current estimate for the center of the storm is to move between Meridian and Livingston, however the center is not the only place that will see effects. We expect the entire area to see strong winds and heavy rain so tree and powerline damage is expected as well as flooding. The storm has picked up speed and we expect conditions to worsen from now well into the nighttime hours. Stay tuned for more...

Dennis tracking inland

The latest numbers from NHC, the 4:00 PM CDT Update:

Location: 30.8 N 87.2 W

Pressure: 28.04 "

Movement: N @ 20 mph

Wind: 105 mph

Dennis is now a Category 2 and will continue to weaken as it moves inland. It is still a dangerous storm with strong winds and heavy/flooding rains. We will begin our wall-to-wall coverage on television and streaming internet coverage at 4:00 pm CDT for the duration of the event. We will be answering some of your questions during our live coverage. To post those questions, please click HERE.

Dennis Making Landfall

Dennis is currently making landfall very near Pensacola, FL as a strong category 3 hurricane. If you missed our television coverage, we recently spoke with storm chaser Greg Nordstrom of LDCT and Mississippi State University who witnessed a roof flying off a building as we were speaking with him live. We will continue to talk to Greg as well as our other avenues of information as Dennis makes his way inland. Conditions will deteriorate soon...please stay tuned for more information!

Dennis continues his version of the Texas 2-step and is eyeing Pensacola as we speak. It has been dowgraded to a category 3 hurricane. Latest numbers:

Location: 30.2N 87.0 W...or near Pensacola, FL

Movement: N 17 mph

Winds: 120 mph

Pressure: 943 mb

Stay tuned: we are continuing to watch Dennis and will keep you up-to-date with the latest information

Wobbling Dennis

Hurricane Dennis has made a few wobbles over the past couple of hours, continuing its track northward towards the coast. It is imperitive to continue watching the track because the wobbles will ultimately decide how this will impact our situation. If it continues to wobble east, our weather will not be as bad as if it were to continue its track towards Meridian. We do expect our extreme east Mississippi and west Alabama counties to see the worst, but we will all feel impact.

One feeder band is working its way through the area right now bringing some heavy rain and wind from 20-35 mph. We do expect our conditions to deteriorate over the next several hours. The latest numbers on Dennis from our friends at the NHC:

Location: 29.6 N 86.9 W

Winds: 135 mph (Category 4)

Movement: N-NW at 18 mph

Pressure: 27.73 "

Please continue to follow the blog as well as our live coverage on television which will also be streamed at www.wtok.com.

Off to watching radar and satellite...

Watching Dennis...

* Hurricane Dennis continues to approach the northern Gulf Coast. Dennis remains a powerful Category Four hurricane, and will go down in the history books as one of the worst to strike the northern Gulf coast.

* Dennis took a northward jog last night, and this may mean that the track inland will be further east. But, now is not the time to let our guard down!

* West Alabama and extreme east Mississippi seem to be in line for a widespread wind damage and power outage event...Preparations should be completed now.

4am Update

The NHC track of Dennis has shifted slightly to the west. It continues to be a strong Category 4 hurricane. Here are the numbers at 4:00 am CDT:

Location:27.8 N 86.1 W

Movement: NNW at 14 mph

Pressure: 27.51" (932 mb)

Wind: 145 mph, gust to 170 mph (Category 4)

Based on the new forecast track, Dennis is expected to be near Bay Springs around 4am Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane with winds at 75 mph and gusts near 90.

This is a dangerous hurricane. Preparations must be come to an end by noon Sunday. Time for a nap...more updates to follow...

Early AM Update

* Wanted to post the 2 AM update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) before heading to bed...

Position: 27.4 N 85.9 W (275 miles southeast of Biloxi)

Winds: 145 mph (Category Four)

Pressure: 27.58" (934 mb)

Movement: NW 14 mph

* This makes Dennis a very dangerous hurricane. The exact track of Dennis must be followed closely. Please rush all preparations to completion by noon tomorrow. This is a historic hurricane for the northern Gulf Coast...

Historic Dennis Approaches....

* Dennis has now been upgraded to a Category Four hurricane. Sustained winds are now at 140 mph, and the National Hurricane Center says that there could be more strengthening before landfall. Dennis will go down as a catastrophic and historic hurricane along the northern Gulf coast.

COASTAL IMPACT...

The storm will make landfall somewhere near Mobile Bay. Near the landfall point will see extreme damage. Storm surge of over 10 feet will rush in, and winds will gust over 150 mph. Anyone who has remained in coastal areas should leave immediately.

IMPACT HERE...

We expect Dennis to go down as one of the worst hurricanes to ever affect east Mississippi and west Alabama. Thousands of trees will likely be blown down, and power outages will be numerous. Preparations should be completed immediately! Extended power outages are possible.

GET OUT of mobile homes immediately! Mobile homes simply cannot withstand these winds!

Make plans to not be on the road anytime Sunday evening into Sunday night.

Do not run generators indoors, that is dangerous due to exhaust.

* Time for some rest. The entire staff at Newscenter 11 has worked tirelessly over the past few days, and I certainly appreciate all that my colleagues have done to help us keep you prepared for Dennis...

Innovative and Interactive Coverage...

* We have worked to bring you two great new tools to keep you safe during Hurricane Dennis:

Through our friends at Baron Services, we will be using the VIPIR weather system. VIPIR is cutting edge technology used to track weather using radar, satellite, and other tools including computer modelling. VIPIR will allow us to show you 3D views of storms, lightning strikes, cloud top heights - you name it, we can do it. A great tool!

We will also be streaming our television coverage of Dennis LIVE on www.wtok.com! This will allow you to watch our coverage on your computer as well as your television!

* We will begin doing web coverage of Dennis early tomorrow afternoon, as Dennis approaches the coast. We will also be doing cut-ins intermittently on WTOK...Once the threat to our area approaches, we will be doing wall-to-wall coverage on both the website and television.

* Be sure to check out the 'blog throughout the day tomorrow. We will post a lot of information there!

* WE NEED YOUR HELP! We want you to be a part of our coverage of Dennis. You will serve as our eyes and ears out in the community. You can use the blog to ask questions or file reports starting tomorrow. We will answer your questions on our TV coverage - and pass along your storm reports to the public. Here's where you can submit your comments and questions:

Storm Reports and Questions

Storm Reports and Questions

* Please post your questions and storm reports here! We will answer some of these questions on-air during our coverage Sunday and into early Monday.

If you have storm reports, please include your name, location, and the time of your report! These reports will have immense value in helping us inform people about the progress of Dennis.

Leave your report or question by clicking here!

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