UPDATE BY: Jim Williams.....
Alberto has weakened to a depression and and will continue to move N.E away from the coast. As you will notice we have rolled out the new gis maps below. For the first 12 hrs we use default models bamm & lbar, after that the top 5 performing models are displayed and color coded. You can click on each model for information and detail as well as the red dots for observations. You will love the zoom feature on the sst & satellite maps,the more you zoom the more info that becomes available such as detailed sst & pressures. You can always change your background on the maps using the basemap link at the top of the map,have fun.
Please join me for the annual hurricane season kickoff show on June 1st. Every year I pick 20 cities and islands that I feel will be impacted during the season by a named storm. With a forecast for a slower than normal hurricane season you could expect different areas to be impacted. There is one area in particular I am concerned about for the 2012 season and will announce it on the show. This year the show will take place up in Virginia beach at Bill Phillips place after I get his network setup. Please tune in at 8:00PM ET on June 1st on Hurricane TV
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, otherwise you will hear our normal programming of weather documentaries & statistics. Special forecast consultants from Early Alert such as former NHC Director Jerry Jarrell as well as Miles Lawrence and Dr. Joe Pelissier, to emergency management experts Billy Wagner will provide insight as hurricanes approach. Outside of significant weather events you will see weather documentaries & storm chaser videos.
To subscribe in order to watch the videos below click here Please support hurricanecity, subscription fees pay for bandwidth. Thank you!
Our last four archives
Weather & the media show for May 1st, 2012 guest James Spann Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40 in Alabama via skype. We discussed his career, his emotional feelings on the Tuscaloosa Alabama tornadoes from last year and much more. Watch
Weather and the media show for February 1st, 2012, guest Ken Kaye a veteran journalist, having worked more than 30 years as a reporter, editor and columnist. For the past 10 years, he has covered the latest news from the hurricane center as well as the latest science news regarding hurricanes for South Florida's Sun Sentinel. I asked him about who he thinks will be the next director at NHC, the continued active hurricane seasons,global warming and what it is like to be a hurricane reporter and who is his favorite local weather person. The 90 min archive is now up for subscribers. Watch
End of hurricane season broadcast November 30th. South Florida was not impacted by a named storm in 2011 so Jim Williams wears a hotdog suit as per viewers wishes. Archive subscribers can watch the two hour show here.
November 1st edition of the weather & the media show Veteran storm chaser Richard Horodner talks about some of his very dangerous hurricane chases before mobile radar was available. Watch (2 hrs)
Updated on 5/20/12..AM
