Hurricane Omar Heading For Virgin Islands
Posted by weathervine on 15 Oct 2008 at 12:13 am | Tagged as: Tropical Weather
October Caribbean Hurricane Omar Alive
Omar wasted no time overnight becoming a mid October Caribbean Hurricane. Hurricane Omar had a steady intensification period the last 24 hours from a weak storm to a well developed hurricane in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Warnings now issued for British Virgin Islands and Tropical Storm warnings and Hurricane watches for Puerto Rico and surrounding waters. The first affects of Omar should begin later today and overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
Hurricane Chasing Omar In The Islands 2008
I’m aware that at least one Florida Hurricane Chaser is en-route for Hurricane Omar, looking for that deep tropics hurricane intercept. Once I learn more on this intercept, I’ll pass any news along here. I’m sure there’s nothing like chasing and intercepting a hurricane deep into the Caribbean. I always know when I’m chasing Florida hurricanes compared to say northern Gulf coast, and /or Carolina hurricanes, there’s a huge difference in the inner core and structure of the hurricane. Florida storms, which are further south, always seem warmer to me in the eyewall compared to storms further north. They have that deep tropical smell and environment to them.
Tropical Storm Nana Gone, Tropical Depression 16 / Paloma
October became a pretty active after several weeks of nil in the tropics. Tropical Storm Nana has dissipated, but Tropical Depression 16 also joined the part yesterday in the western Caribbean. TD16 expected to become the next named storm (Paloma) and hug the Honduras northern coastline as a tropical storm. Only looking to be a central American threat as high pressure builds in over the western Atlantic.
Caribbean hurricanes in October can become major threats to Florida with approaching cold fronts drawing hurricanes northward into Florida. Major Hurricane Wilma in 2005 was one of these storms, along with Hurricane Irene in 1999 as well. Not the case this time around, as ridging is protecting Florida as the latest trough pulls out to the north.
There are still several weeks left in the season, so no time to let your guard down. These October hurricanes can sneak up real fast. More to come of Hurricane Omar.
You are correct about the threat to Florida during October. We usually get an October storm out of the Caribbean every other year or so. They often coincide with the first few cold fronts of the fall stalling out in the FL straights. T.S. Fay was quite similar to a typical October storm. These storms usually don’t have time to become major hurricanes. October storms were usually flood events but Wilma proved that given time to develop, an October storm can be just as bad as any other month