Hurricane Matthew

NOAA/NHC ^ | 1 October 2016 | NOAA/NHC

[NautiNurse]

Hurricane Matthew is big, bad and just downright scary, and we await the long anticipated sharp turn northward. Jamaica is completing final storm preparations. All interests in the Eastern U.S. and Bahamas should be carefully watching the track of Mighty Matthew.

Ripped straight from the NHC Discussion page:

Matthew remains south of a low-to mid-level ridge over
the western Atlantic. The dynamical models forecast this ridge to
weaken over the next 72 hours as a mid- to upper-level trough develops
over the Gulf of Mexico. This evolution should cause Matthew to turn
northwestward after 24 hours and northward by 48-72 hours. The guidance
generally agrees with this scenario. However, there is a spread between
the GFS forecast of landfall in Jamaica and eastern Cuba and the ECMWF
forecast landfall in southwestern Haiti. The guidance becomes more
divergent after 72 hours.

Cone of Death Historic Archive Loop

Mash image to find lots of satellite imagery links

Public Advisories
NHC Discussions
Buoy 42058 Central Caribbean (in storm path)
Florida & Eastern Gulf Buoy Locations
SE Atlantic Coast Buoy Locations

SE U.S. Radar Sector
Gitmo Radar (primitive)
Jamaica Radar Loop (primitive)

If the info above doesn't satisfy your need for speed and graphics, strap yourself in for a ride to Mike's Weather Page

[SoFloFreeper]

Is that latest 5pm track taking it further EAST away from south Florida? Looks like it to me.

[DAVEY CROCKETT]

Just had a friend in Atlanta tell me 75 north is a mess, people leaving.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I am ready. I do believe that Seminole county will be hit very hard on Friday with the 81 mph wind gusts. I am going to my sisters in Zellwood tomorrow as she has a house. I was at her place when Charlie came through. She has a lot of oak trees and all you could hear was bing boom bang on the roof!!

[sheikdetailfeather]

I will say a lot of prayers Guenevere. I know it is hard to fathom what it will look like. Just be safe and know I will be praying hard for some miracles.

[digger48]

It’s taken my niece and family since before noon to go from Charleston to Columbia, SC.

My daughter is in Gainesville and was wondering how the highways were.

[SE Mom]

I was here in Seminole for Charley, too...posted on FR til the power went!

I’m ready but may have to stay at work (hospital) 48 hours. Not sure yet.

Be safe..Zellwood is good, far enough inland.

[NautiNurse]

That satellite graphic is positively creepy

[NautiNurse]

When I evacuated today I took a last look at it and our neighborhood and wondered what I will see when I return.

That is a heartbreaking feeling. Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

[blam]

"Don’t forget the Gulf Stream waters are warm."

Gulf Stream

"Surface temperatures in the western North Atlantic. The North American landmass is black and dark blue (cold), while the Gulf Stream is red (warm). Source: NASA"

[NautiNurse]

The lastest track brings the storm to the coast at ~ Martin Co. I don’t see any eastward movement.

[Red Badger]

Thank you!.........

[RegulatorCountry]

And right over Haiti, as if it needed another layer of spooky.

There’s no attribution for the image on Drudge, I wonder if the image was altered in any way?

Wasn’t there something odd seen in satellite images of Katrina, too?

[Red Badger]

That’s not good!..

[tutstar]

So if my mayor is doing press conference with the governor does that mean they think it’s gonna landfall Jacksonville?

[ZinGirl]

My FIL lives in A1A just north of Sebastian Inlet. Planning on just hunkering down. We are quite worried ...and super unhappy...about his decision. We’re 1,000 miles away and can’t do anything. Stay safe yourself. Hoping and praying Matthew changes his mind and decides to go East and you will be able to go right your home and neighborhood

[blam]

"Northern Tool has a Generac 22kW generator for less than $5000, free shipping and runs on propane/NG WITH a 200 Amp transfer switch."

This summer I converted my 13kw generator to gasoline or propane at the flip of a switch. The conversion kit cost $270.00.
I have 40 of the 20 pound propane bottles. Cooking, heating & lighting all run on propane now. No need to fight the gasoline panics everytime a hurricane nears.

[Guenevere]

Heartfelt thanks!

[blam]

"My FIL lives in A1A just north of Sebastian Inlet. Planning on just hunkering down. "

I used to live on A1A at Satellite Beach....he does not want to do that. Tell'em to get out while he can.

[justlurking]

I've been through several hurricanes, so I understand the desire for creature comforts.

But, I'll suggest that you replace the pool pump with a variable speed one, if you haven't already done so. Even when on the utility, you'll save a bunch of money and pay for it within a year. We replaced our single speed pump with one that runs at half-speed during the daily cycle, and 1/4-speed (about 100 watts) if the temperature drops to near freezing. It only runs at full speed for a minute or so after starting to prime the pump.

I could look at our historical usage (we have a smart meter, with 15-minute intervals) and identify exactly what day the pump was replaced. I also got a rebate from my electric utility, offsetting a substantial part of the replacement cost.

We have a salt cell, as well. But, I don't think it's a significant contributor to the electric bill.

A power management system can be used to be sure that high electrical loads don't all run at the same time: i.e. your two A/C units wouldn't run at the same time, and you could add an electric water header, electric dryer, or electric range/oven to the management system:

http://tbelectricltd.com/generator-power-management-system-work/

[ZinGirl]

Quite welcome. Hope she’s doing OK mentally and emotionally during this. We have family on A1A just north of Sebastian Inlet refusing to evacuate. So angry. My cousin is in Palm Bay. She’s been through a few hurricanes and that area has fared ok in the past. WHY my FIL won’t evacuate to Palm Bay to hang with Tina is a question for the ages.