Feels Like Fall....
I can't get over how wonderful it has felt outside over the past few nights. Even though our afternoons are still on the warm side, the humidity hasn't been overly bad. I was able to attend the State vs. NC game on Thursday and even though the game left a bad taste in my mouth, I thoroughly enjoyed the mid-80 degree day with the light northerly breeze.
Who is ready for Fall?? Well, come about mid-week this week, expect temperatures to drop even more as a trough begins to dig into the Southeast. Northerly winds will usher in even cooler and drier air persuading the forecast to go with mid-80's and sunny skies by Tuesday.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday weekend!!! If anyone makes some BBQ, save me some!!! I'm craving some good Mississippi food.....
lauren
Global Warming: Don't Believe The Hype
* Just finished watching ABC News' program on global warming tonight...I thought this would be a PRIME time to try to address some of the misleading and false statements made tonight and recently by other media outlets.
* First, there are many, many scientists who do not agree that global warming is a man-made and/or man-controlled problem.
* Secondly, global warming is NOT going to lead to the massive destruction and end of all civilization. That's sensationalism at its' finest.
* Also..the link between global warming and hurricane intensity is non-existent. There are NUMEROUS factors that determine hurricane strength, and water temperature is only one of those. There is NO PROOF that hurricanes are stronger because of man-made global warming.
* I could go on and on...The media is so intent on making this their crusade that they throw facts and caution to the wind. The debate on global warming certainly continues...Check out these links:
http://www.junkscience.com/Greenhouse/http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=%5CNation%5Carchive%5C200409%5CNAT20040915c.htmlhttp://www.junkscience.com/news/robinson.htm
SVR Jasper/Clarke
* NWS has pulled the trigger on a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Clarke and Jasper counties until 4:45 pm. The storm in question is moving through east-central Jasper County, right over Paulding right now. On its current track, it will affect places like Pachuta, Quitman, Stonewall, and Barnett.
* Main threat with this storm is gusty winds, maybe some small hail as well. This storm is over 55,000 feet tall, so its updraft is quite strong. When it collapses, there is certainly a threat of a downburst. That would mean some intense winds.
* Here's the warning:
http://kamala.cod.edu/offs/KJAN/0608292104.wuus54.html
Ernesto Weakens!
High terrain over Haiti has weakened Hurricane Ernesto and it has now downgraded to a Tropical Storm. Sustained winds now have dropped from 75MPH to 60MPH. This is still a very dangerous storm and there a Hurricane Watch is currently in effect for the Florida Keys. As of 1pm this afternoon, a mandatory evacuation was in plac for all visitors and non-residents specific to the Florida Keys.
Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to regain its strength and become a hurricane once it tracks off land. Currently it has a central pressure of 1004 mb. The significance of central pressure is that it shows if a system is weakening or gaining strength. The higher the number, the more the storm is weakening.
Hopefully this weakening trend will continue. I will keep a close watch and update you with the next advisory.
Lauren
Current Predicted Track....
The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center does not show much change in the intensity of Ernesto. Sustained winds are still 75MPH with higher gusts. Here is the current predicted track....
Hurricane Ernesto
Tropical Storm Ernesto became a Hurricane early this morning as winds strengthened to near 75 mph. As of right now, Ernesto is a Category One Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, but some strengthening is expected the rest of the day today and into tonight.
WINDS: 75MPH
PRESSURE: 997MB
LOCATION: 115 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI
AND 205 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF GUANTANAMO, CUBA
MOTION: NORTHWEST AT 9MPH
The latest models are taking Ernesto through a good portion of Cuba. The interaction with land should cause some significant weakening within the storm. Depending on how long it stays over land will be critical in determining exactly how strong it will become in the Gulf. If Ernesto does not stay over land for very long, it will likely intensify greatly over the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
Where is Ernesto headed? The models are now taking Ernesto a little further to the right of yesterday's advisory. Ernesto will make landfall with Cuba and then take on a more northerly track, which will put Florida in its path. We are still a couple of days away to know the official track, but as Ernesto approaches we will definately be keeping a close eye on who will be effected.
Lauren
