The Price Family Home Companion

What's the Difference?

Having overheard a comment I once made about there being a nice breeze, Salem refers to all pleasant weather as being nice degrees.

All Eyes on Rita

With images of Katrina fresh on our minds, and its survivors still on our doorstep, can anyone blame the media (local at least) drumbeat of Rita paranoia?

Although forecasts vary widely, we live only 40-50 miles from expected landfall and only 15 miles from the anticipated path of the eye (which recent forecasts place passing just over Missouri City). If she turns into a Category 4, as some "experts" predict, is 40 miles enough buffer?

It's still early to tell, but honestly, she makes me nervous. We'll know more in the next couple of days, but in the meantime we're taking some initial preparations.

Emily on Google Earth

Something I whipped up combining hurricane forecasting data, NOAA satellite imagery, and Google Earth.

Download Emily.kmz (Google Earth Placemark)

Ivan Back for More

Ivan is back for more as it has entered the gulf, turned into a Tropical Depression, and headed right our way. It's not expected to turn into hurricane strength, but the flooding from TD Allison a couple years back is still fresh on our minds.

The satellite photo is very cool... showing TD Ivan in the Gulf, Hurricane Jeanne, Hurricane Karl, and Tropical Storm Lisa in the Atlantic.

Ivan the Terrible

Looks as if Florida will be facing a third hurricane in as many weeks. Hurricane Ivan is expected to make landfall on the gulf-side of Florida by Monday or Tuesday of next week.

I'm glad those systems have been staying out of the Gulf (and thus away from us), but it's hard to wish natural disaster upon anyone else. Especially those that have faced two devastating hurricanes already this season.

Goodbye Earl

Well, Earl is no more... The National Weather Service says it has degenerated into a tropical wave and has little chance of regenerating. Whew!

Hello Earl?

Seeing the devistation caused by hurricane Charley this week raises concern for the remainder of the hurricane season this year. There are already two more systems (Danielle and Earl). Tropical Storm Earl may be headed our way be the end of this week.

It's a little early to tell, but I was surprised at the hook the last two systems took after hitting the gulf. Unfortunately for this week, we may not have that high-pressure system in place that kicked the last two storms to the northeast. As much as I don't want a hurricane to hit here, I'd hate to see another ravage Florida either... I guess have to wait and see what happens.

Hurricane Season

It looks like the hurricane season is upon us. I'll be tracking storm systems that look like they'll strike the Texas coast. It's a little too early to tell right now, but I'm keeping an eye (no pun intended) on tropical storms Bonnie and Charley.