LATEST UPDATE 5/15/13.....Jim Williams.....
I have released my city and Island picks for the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane season which starts on June 1st. This statistical scheme has been successful since I started doing them in 2003 nailing nearly 3 out of 5 of my top picks. My top five are as follows #1 Pascagoula,Mississippi--#2 Ft Walton Beach,Florida--#3 Vero Beach,Florida--#4 Great Exuma ,Bahamas--#5 Boynton Beach,Florida. For further explanations zoom in and click on each location on the map below or you can also see the entire list on my predictions page . If your city or Island is not picked it does not mean your area will not get hit,every year a city or cities get hit that I did not pick,you need to be prepared. The map below is focused on my city picks and will remain there until the first invest of the season. On the 23rd NOAA will release their seasonal outlook at NOAA news site .
Tropical Depression
Winds: <39 mph
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface winds are 38 miles per hour (33 knots) or less. Characteristically having one or more closed isobars, it may form slowly from a tropical disturbance or an easterly wave which has continued to organize.
Tropical Storm
Winds: 39-73 mph
At this point, the system is given a name to identify and track it.Damage done to only the flimsiest lean-to type structures. Unsecured light signs blown down, minor damage to trees and bushes. Some small dead limbs, ripe coconuts, and dead palm fronds blown from trees. Some fragile and tender green leaves blown from trees.
Category 1 Hurricane
Winds: 74-95 mph
Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
Category 2 Hurricane
Winds: 96-110 mph
Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
Category 3 Hurricane
Winds: 111-129 mph
Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
Category 4 Hurricane
Winds: 130-156 mph
Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).
Category 5 Hurricane
Winds: >156 mph
Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.
When Hurricane warnings go up, live video will be done as the worst conditions arrive . When a major Hurricane is hitting, Jim Williams will be live with special guests, radio simulcasts, video.T.V & analysis using Hurrtrak EM/PRo software, Outside of significant weather events you will see weather documentaries & storm chaser videos.
Our last four archives
February 1st, 2013 weather and the media show my guest was Chris Kridler author of the book Funnel Vision. This book takes you into the heart of Tornado Alley and tells the story of tornado researcher Jack Andreas who gets invloved with Judy Hale a Kansas photographer and her sister Shannon. This book has alot of ups and downs with some real surprises and actually shocking towards the end ,definately a must read. Chris also discussed her new book called "Tornado Pinball" where a manned probe is put in the path of a tornado.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season ended on November 30th,2012 with 19 named storms . On the end of hurricane season broadcast we discussed Sandy and the other big story this season Hurricane Isaac . Why was there no hurricane warning? was this the worst ever for the N.E?, Is global warming and sea level rise to blame? The archive is now up for subscribers where you can watch (2 1/2hrs) the entire show.
Hurricane Sandy hits New Jersey on Oct 29th,2012 . Hurricane Sandy is a basic timeline of events as they took place with models,radar,satellite,storm chasers,cams,weather observations and news reports from several different news sources along with my commentary.
Hurricane Isaac hit Louisiana hard as a category 1 hurricane on 29th and 30th,2012 causing flooding in many areas but the greater New Orleans area experienced minor flooding compared to Katrina. The hurricane warning show recorded during landfall runs about 40min,please allow a minute for the video to load . You will see assorted webcams,news stories of survival,damage and live chaser video as it all happened but remember the live encoding bit rate does cause some pixelization and blurred animations but overall a good timeline of what happened.
Updated on 5/15/13..PM
