Fay Watch
Everybody's watching Tropical Storm Fay this morning as the big blow heads north across Cuba and draws a bead on South Florida. The center of the forecast track probabilities runs straight up the west coast of Florida. Forecasters have her reaching hurricane strength briefly before moving inland and weakening.
Watches and warnings are up in the Florida Keys and both sides of the peninsula. Here's the Miami forecast. Not pretty. It's worse for Sarasota.
Beyond Florida, if Fay takes the middle road, the wind and heavy rain will move north into Georgia and the western Carolinas later this week, bringing desperately needed rain. Maybe too much; we'll have to wait and see. But these tropical storm remnants are usually what knocks down stubborn summer droughts.
Here in Maryland, there is nothing in the forecast yet. Forecasters seem to be betting that high pressure over our part of the country will keep Fay's remnants from moving this far north. Here is this morning's discussion from Sterling.
For now, here is the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Here is the forecast track. And here is the view from orbit.
Comments
Hi Frank,
I was just wondering if you had a personal take on what this storm will do. I'm headed out Saturday morning to Cumberland to bicycle the GAP Trail up to McKeesport, PA. My Gore-Tex rain jacket has worn out. Do you think I have to worry about any heavy rain that far west? Do I need to buy some new rain gear? I don't mean to put you on the spot.
-Mike S.
Linthicum, MD.
FR: Sorry I didn't reply right away. Just back from the zoo on a baby elephant story. I wouldn't worry about Fay. Forecasters now seem to think she will get jammed up south of the big, sunny high that's hanging over the Northeast. She's crossing Florida and may recharge some over the Atlantic off Florida, but the forecast track takes her back west again over the Deep South, where she should peter out. If we eventually get any of the leftovers, it will be after your trip. Right now it looks like sunshine and mid-80s here for Saturday (cooler in Cumberland)Pedal on.
Posted by: Mike S. | August 19, 2008 1:34 PM
Do you really believe that mankinds efforts to stop global warming among the many environmental issues is believable anymore.
In fact mankind was first warned in Silent Spring, a book written in the early part of the 1960's forecasting the effects of ozone damage among other things.
For those of us whom really care for the environment for the sake of sustaining life, we are beginning to believe that only God himself can step in and save the planet.
Posted by: Jack Tugwood | August 19, 2008 4:33 PM