Posted on 10/25/2010 5:05:09 PM PDT by FromLori
The National Weather Service has upgraded the high wind watch to a high wind warning which runs from 7 a.m. Tuesday-7 p.m. Wednesday. It appears we could establish a new record for the lowest October barometric pressure in this storm. Models put Chicago's barometric pressure at 29.05" Tuesday morning. If true, this would break the old October record low of 29.11" set Oct. 19, 1937, Oct. 19, 1947 and Oct. 24, 1959.
The storm's minimum central pressure of 960 millibars (28.35") Tuesday in northern Minnesota is below the 980-millibar reading in the Edmund Fitzgerald storm on Lake Superior in Nov. 1975. It's the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane.
The curl visible off the West Coast on this CIMSS UW-Madison satellite time lapse in riding an extraordinary 220 mph speed maximum in the jet stream will become the storm expected to explode as it rides across the Dakotas and Minnesota Tuesday.
Wind gusts could reach mid-60s
Frank Wachowski of the National Weather Service reports Chicago's strongest October wind was 70 mph recorded Oct 28, 1892. Model wind profiles put sustained winds 2,000 feet above local terrain here at 63 mph by Tuesday afternoon. Subsidence in the region of the storm under which Chicago will be positioned after the passage of a squall line early in the day (6-9 a.m.) threatens to bring these winds down to the surface as damaging non-thunderstorm wind gusts.
Check out this animation of the spin-up of Tuesday's mega-low in the nation's mid-section. This is a time-lapse of the National Weather Service's high resolution GFS model. It puts the storm's minimum pressure at 957.5 millibars which translates to 28.28".
Interesting! How does that work? What is the science behind it?
Salt water is heavier than fresh water, so the wave tends to "flatten" the waves. Freshwater waves are much steeper and much closer together (no real "swells" on the Great Lakes), creating a "jackhammer" effect. When the 600-foot Edmund Fitzgerald broke in half in 1975 off Whitefish Point, it was running with the wind and still could not take the jackhammer. It broke in half and sank in 60 seconds.
Lost a few tree tops and the wind threw our sat dish out of alignment. All in all, looks like a early Winter!
It has to do with water density. In the 1970s, a plan was floated (sorry) that involved capturing the freshwater discharge of rivers flowing out of (for example) arid parts of Africa and into the oceans. A plastic barrier (like a big “o”, open on the bottom) would “corral” the outflow, and the freshwater, being lighter, would remain on top for use. Evaporative losses would be minimized (because the oceans are generally cool and temperature stable, all other things being equal), the rivers would continue to top it off and counteract the tendency of the salt etc to gradually seep in from below. The water would then be tapped for both drinking and washing, and irrigation.
I’m doing great! The weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. :)
You see, my Lawyer is doing the heavy lifting for me. She’s worth every penny...that my Ex is going to pay for her. *SMIRK* :)
Sounds like you’re doing fine. That’s GREAT to hear. I’ve always loved your posts and the way you pull all of those great quotes...outta somewhere. LOL! I admire you, Diana, and your attitude.
I have some personal stuff going on right now, my dad has a malignant brain tumor. It really stinks, but Christ is keeping me going strong, him too.
I’m home for a few days until after the election. Distractions are GOOD! Prayers are as well.
Best wishes are sent your way!
You got it! Prayers up for you and your family. :)
“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~ Clarence Budington Kelland
Wow! You did it again, and you made me do a search on the guy. :) Amazing stuff there. Thank you, Diana!
Your brain must rival the Dewey Decimal System. LOL I must say I love my FReeper friends for their depth of knowledge, but you are one of the best!
God Bless The Internet, LOL! :)
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