Hurricane #10

[little john]

We know well-enough where hurricanes are born - but do you ever wonder where they go to die ?

Most of them travel across the Atlantic as a result of the Earth's rotation, with those crossing the North Atlantic pretty-much dying-out as their energy is gradually drained away over that long distance. But - sometimes they cross much further south and pick up additional energy from the warm tropical seas.

In 1987 this very thing happened: 18 people died, and 15 million trees were flattened as a result.  30 years on, and it looks like we're in for a repeat performance, as Ophelia - currently a Cat 2 - makes it's way towards us.



As you can see from the red arrow, I'm well-away from the anticipated track - that is, assuming it doesn't alter course ...

Nowhere near being in the same league as US hurricanes, of course, but a darned 'good blow' is expected over here, nevertheless.
LJ

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-ophelia-2017-10-12-ireland-path-10th-hurricane-of-2017-season/

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

That is kind of scary.  Sir Lil John, hey buddy.  You and family stay safe.  Please keep us informed, the US weather says little (no pun here) about weather in England.
Blessings

[little john]

Hi Van - a very good day to you.

Not surprising really, this one was 'born' well offshore, and was never going to impact The States - and I'm sure you guys have enough to be concerned about with the monster hurricanes you do get - so there's no obvious reason for this particular one to be flagged-up domestically.

Ten in a season - is that some kind of record ?  I ask, 'cause us Brits know nothing about hurricanes, as they're such a rare event over here.  That's why folks get killed, 'cause we're completely unprepared.(#)  In contrast, you guys expect them to occur regularly - even have a 'hurricane season'/ warning centre and so forth.

Thanks for your concern - I'm hoping it'll be nothing more than strapping the hive roofs on and maybe waking up to find a polytunnel has relocated into the field next door ...  My guess is that this blow will be heavy on trees - especially in Ireland - as most are still carrying their leaves - that's what brought so many trees down back in October '87.

'best,
LJ

(#) Same story with snow - you guys get feet of the stuff every year, and so have specialised equipment to deal with it.  For us it's a fairly rare event - so a few inches of snow is guaranteed to bring the country to a standstill - airports closed, railways non-operational, etc.

Update: currently upgraded to Cat 3

[Acebird]

Warm waters breed hurricanes and cold waters kill them.
BTW snow almost never bothers hives.

[tycrnp]

I guess I'm not surprised by Hurricane #10.  We were hit by Opal in 1995 - that year there were 19 named storms, 11 of them hurricanes.  Best of luck to you and yours.

[herbhome]

We have a scottish couple staying with us right now. I showed him this and he shrugged and said, " just another day"
Hope it's not as bad as it can be. Grew up with those crazy storms. They are the opposite of fun.

[GSF]

Warm waters breed hurricanes and cold waters kill them.

Hey Brian,

a few years back one spring we had a hurricane produced by the opposite effect. Very warm air moved across very cool waters and produced one. I don't remember much about it so it probably fizzled and died on the vine.

[BeeMaster2]

LJ,
Don't trust that track. Irma was supposed to go up the east coast of Florida, it actually went up the west coast of Florida and then the eye went right over our farm. The worst damage that I saw was 60 miles to the east, in Jacksonville. It was a good thing that the original track was on the east coast. They had prepped for it.
Stay safe. Remember, the worst damage on weak storms comes from the tornadoes and down drafts. Not the sustained winds.
Jim

[Hops Brewster]

I know GB doesn't get a lot of hurricanes from the southern track, but storms from the north Atlantic or the North Sea are no slackers, either.   Hurricane-force winds (75 mph and over) are not unusual in the northern cyclonic storms of winter.

Another thought; that forecast cone is the possible track  of the center of the storm.  The storm in its entirety could have a diameter of up to 400 miles, with related weather events within another 200 or more.   You likely won't see the worst of this storm, but you probably will get some weather.

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Sir Lil John, would you please provide a tracking update Monday 10/16 at your convince.  Our weather channel did not mention the storm.  Thanks, Buddy.

[texanbelchers]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/15/557908975/already-a-historic-storm-weakening-ophelia-draws-a-bead-on-british-isles

[little john]

Hi Van - current track in the above link is spot on.  Already (0930 BST) reports are coming in of power lines down & railways delayed or halted in southern Ireland, where troops are on standby, schools/universities have been closed, flights cancelled both in Eire and NI, and other similar precautions have been taken.

Hi guys - I just want to say I feel very humbled this morning by the interest you guys are showing - particularly in view of the US having really been 'put through the wringer' in recent days and weeks, what with Irma and the Californian wildfires as well ...  I've seen pictures of the Californian aftermath and it looks identical to those pictures of Hiroshima taken the day after the bomb was dropped. Unbelievable destruction.

Although the Ophelia weather system has already weakened to become pretty tame compared with what you guys experience every year, for us it's a BIG deal, as our infrastructure just isn't geared-up for such events, as they are so extremely rare.  We just 'don't get' hurricanes over on this side of the pond ! 

Pity any poor sods currently out at sea.
LJ

[bwallace23350]

I will keep yall in my prayers

[Kathyp]

Found this site this year.  Good for everyone, not just US.

https://www.ventusky.com/

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Kathyp, that is a cool link, world temp, with wind currents.  I added to my home screen.  Blessings

[Acebird]

Yeah, that is amazing.

[herbhome]

Thanks, KathyP-fascinating

[little john]

As it turned out, 'twas pretty uneventful over on this side of the country - we had a very windy night in my area, but nothing more than that.  Although hives were strapped down as a precaution, that turned out not to be necessary - but always a wise precaution.

Ireland took a battering - 3 dead in the South - all tree-related.  Hundreds of thousands of homes without power in the South, a few tens of thousands in the North.  Fair bit of structural damage.

Yesterday the sun was a glorious red, the sky kept changing colour - at one point in London it was bright orange - like this:



the sky was more of a muddy pink colour over here.  This was taken at my location just after midday:



Apparently dust from the Sahara desert in North Africa, plus airborne pollution from wildfires in Spain and Portugal were responsible.  We're back to blue skies and white clouds today ...

Another blow is predicted for Saturday - I don't know why that should be, as Ophelia will be long gone by then - so I'll leave the hive straps on for a few more days.

LJ

[BeeMaster2]

LJ,
The winds after the storm passes is probably from the tail of the hurricane.
Glad you are ok.
Jim

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Yes, Sir Lil John, glad all is well with you and family.  The red sky is a site, beautiful pic.  Not so sure I want to see it in person, a pic is just fine.
Blessings