Kyle fairly tame

Canadian Press photo of fisherman preparing for Kyle in Shediac.

Hurricane Kyle moved inland last night over Digby County, Nova Scotia before crossing the Bay of Fundy and hitting St. John, NB. The storm has been downgraded to an extra tropical cyclone and is now moving over PEI. Damage was very scattered with reports of trees down in Nova Scotia and power out to over 40,000 homes. Most has since been restored. Less than 50mm of rain was the average however 107mm fell at Grand Manan. The storm was moving rapidly so the poor weather was very short lived at any one location.

The following wind gusts were observed from various locations across Nova Scotia as of 3 AM ADT.

Yarmouth airport....................76 km/h

Baccaro Point..................... 124 km/h

Briar Island........................74 km/h

Western Head.......................102 km/h

Lunenburg...........................93 km/h

CFB Greenwood.......................76 km/h

MacNabs Island.....................102 km/h

Halifax Stanfield Int Airport.......91 km/h

Beaver Island.......................95 km/h

Les Suetes...Grand Etang...........106 km/h

Meanwhile Tropical Storm Laura has formed in the northern Atlantic well east of Cape Cod and will drift north northeast away from land over the next few days. She is only expected to affect the shipping lanes.

Hurricane Kyle Update

Update to 7pm ET: Kyle is about 142km SSW of Yarmouth. A peak wind of 119km/h was recorded at Baccaro Point.

Kyle approaching southern Nova Scotia

Hurricane Kyle is nearing the southern coast of Nova Scotia at this hour. A hurricane warning is in effect for the southern coastal counties of Nova Scotia as well as New Brunswick and coastal down east Maine. Kyle is expected to make landfall later this evening as a category 1 storm. A check of weather observations at 1800 local time produced a peak gust of 94km/h at Baccaro Point, Nova Scotia.

Storm surge flooding is forecast in the Bay of Fundy as well as 50-100mm of rain in a wide swath from the coastal areas north into eastern Quebec.

Here is the latest statement from Environment Canada...

At 3 PM ADT this afternoon hurricane Kyle was located 245 kilometres east of Cape Cod and moving northward at 45 km/h. On its path Kyle is forecast to pass just to the west of Yarmouth late this evening. A combination of storm surge and wave set up occurring during the daily high tide will result in elevated water levels that will likely cause flooding along portions of the coast of Yarmouth and Shelburne counties. In addition pounding surf will cause erosion in vulnerable areas of the coast. It is currently expected that Kyle will push tropical storm force winds of 80 km/h with hurricane wind force gusts of 130 km/h into the tri-county region of Nova Scotia this evening. Gusts to at least 100 km/h with a tropical storm warning elsewhere along the coastal areas of southwest Nova Scotia. These conditions are to be expected especially at the coast.Wind speeds of this magnitude during similar events in the past have caused significant tree damage...Downed power lines and damage to structures due to falling branches or trees. All preparations to secure loose objects should be completed.

Kyle becomes Hurricane heads for Nova Scotia

Kyle was upgraded to a hurricane late this afternoon as the storm spins northward in the open Atlantic east of Cape Hatteras. Hurricane Kyle is expected to reach the Maine/New Brunswick/Nova Scotia coast late Sunday night or early Monday morning. The storm will strike the area on the 5th anniversary of deadly hurricane Juan. Kyle is expected to be a strong tropical storm at landfall, capable of producing 120km/h winds and over 100mm of rain in the area of southwestern Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and down east Maine. On his present track, Kyle may brush Cape Cod, then Yarmouth, NS before moving inland near Black Harbor, NB.

At this hour a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch have been posted for coastal areas of eastern Maine, Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick. A heavy rain warning and high wind warning are in effect for inland regions all the way north to the Gaspe region. A drenching rain has preceded Kyle with reports of 2-4 inches in areas from New York City to Halifax. High surf will affect the coast from Cape Cod to eastern Nova Scotia. Flooding has already been reported in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. Tropical moisture has pushed clouds and showers well inland all the way to Quebec and extreme eastern Ontario.

Kyle heads for Nova Scotia

Tropical Storm Kyle has finally formed north of Haiti last night and is expected to move rapidly northward just to the west of Bermuda. The storm is forecast to intensify to a Category 1 hurricane before hitting Nova Scotia late Sunday or early Monday. All interests in the Maratimes should monitor Kyle till landfall. The storm has the potential to produce high winds over 100mm of rain, flooding, damage and power outages. Prepare now in Nova Scotia southern New Brunswick and PEI.

Meanwhile the heavy rain from the first coastal storm has now pushed into Vermont heading towards southern Quebec. Rain showers and drizzle will affect eastern Ontario for most of the weekend. Winds will be gusty in the St. Lawrence Valley. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are continuing the clean up from several days of storm force winds and high surf. Highway 12 is expected to reopen today after winds and waves subside.

Nights in Rodanthe opens today starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane. While I am usually not into these kind of flicks, I will go for the scenery. Read about the premiere here and learn a little about why I love the Outer Banks so much.

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/movie-preview-puts-outer-banks-big-screen

Tropical Trouble

1:40 Update: This link has some important local information NAGS HEAD

Also I thought it would be neat to show you exactly where the webcam is. Above are two of my own pictures from one year ago today taken at the same location as the camera below. Mine are looking south the camera below is looking north. The photo of the house is where they filmed Nights in Rodanthe which opens tomorrow. The sign is the one on the left in the web camera pic.

Two weather systems are poised to pound the Atlantic Coast of the US and Canada from North Carolina to Nova Scotia. Over the last 24 hours winds have topped 60mph in coastal North Carolina. Ocracoke Island had 58mph while Hatteras has recorded 56mph. The fierce wind and pounding seas have breached the highway that runs through the Outer Banks. Coastal highway 12 had been flooded in several spots including near Rodanthe.

The photo above shows the Atlantic on the right pounding the shoreline and dunes while the sound is on the left. Up the middle is a highway believe it or not. NCDOT are working furiously to keep the highway open for emergencies. Travel is difficult at best, and conditions should remain the same most of the day today. Into this weekend indications are that this system will move north towards New York State. Our pleasant summer weather this week will be swept away as clouds and rain move in from the south. This storm will be rapidly followed by another tropical system on the weekend. This second unnamed storm will head for central New England. It is too early to tell what impact they will have on our region but expect clouds and precipitation beginning late Friday. Both storms may be named later today.

Ferry Update: Due to high winds and water, the N.C. Department of Transportation's ferry division had canceled its afternoon runs yesterday between Swan Quarter and Ocracoke, [and] Cedar Island and Ocracoke.... [The] Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route was running on the hour instead of the half hour, and was expected to end service at 6:30 p.m last night.... Passengers should call 1-800-BY-FERRY for updated information as conditions may continue to change."

Outer Banks being hammered

3pm Update...added this photo from webcam...unreal. That is the Atlantic Ocean rushing down NC 12 on the Hatteras Island.

Over 24 hours of 30-40mph winds have been hitting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The area is home to Rodanthe and Avon and is basically my home away from home (not this year but that is another story). The surf has been driven over the dunes and onto the thin ribbon of road know as North Carolina 12. With every successive high tide, more flooding is being reported. Expect the battering to continue well into tomorrow as the deepening storm moves across the banks. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft is set to investigate the system today as winds are pushing 65mph just offshore. Here is a link on the story

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/hurricane-center-investigating-carolina-coastal-storm

and another link to an awesome web cam in Roadanthe at the S-Curves, you can see the flooding on Highway 12. http://www.darenc.com/webcam/mirlo.php

I stayed just feet from where this camera is located. There is also a new movie coming on this weekend by the way called Nights in Rodanthe...yes it is the same place.

Kemptville phone service out

Thomas street a buzz of activity. Photo SB

At least they had good weather....dozens of contractors and Bell employees were out all night in Kemptville on Thomas Street repairing hundreds of fiber optic phone lines that were severed by a contractor yesterday afternoon. Phone service was cut to nearly 3000 homes and is slowly being restored today.

The weather remains very pleasant with low humidity and brilliant sunshine. We expect temperatures to warm to 23-25C today and Thursday. Beyond that we are watching low pressure developing off the Carolina coast that is forecast to move north towards New York City. Kemptville will remain on the northwest side of this storm, but we may still see clouds and some rain late Friday and Saturday before clearing Sunday. This system is currently producing coastal flooding along the Outer Banks of North Carolina with ocean overwash reported along Highway 12. Waves and winds are pounding the region with gusts recorded over 40mph in Hatteras and seas building to over 8 feet.

We are also watching that potential tropical system near Puerto Rico, but that is still several days out...more to follow.

The Seacoast

Above from top to bottom are the Portland Head Lighthouse, The Sarah Jean coming into Newburyport, Mass from the Atlantic Ocean, Seabrook Beach at sunset, Plum Island Light and Rye Harbor. Click on each photo for more detail.

The Seacoast area stretches some 20 miles from Kittery, Maine to Plum Island, Massachusetts and includes the entire 18 mile coastline of New Hampshire. It is a beautiful mixture of soft sandy beaches, rocky natural harbors and a wide salt marsh. I am looking forward to my next trip down...

Happy Fall

Another frosty morning here in Kemptville, with an overnight low of 3C. We are expecting sunny skies all week with temperatures slowly warming into the 20's. Fall arrives this morning at 11:44 EDT. Say goodbye to the summer that wasn't!

Fall arrives Monday

The Harvest Moon signalling the end of summer was last Monday.

Greetings again...I am finally back north of the border after a week along the New Hampshire coast. Sorry for the lack of entries towards the end of the week, too much time walking the beach at Salisbury State Park and Plum Island. The weather was great for September, we had a warm, windy start and a frosty end. Fall is upon us, it arrives at 11:44am Monday morning. The summer season is ending on a crisp and sunny note. It was not a very good summer to say the least. I would give it a D overall with a D- to begin and a C+ for September.

Power is slowly being restored across the Gulf Coast and Midwest after Hurricane Ike. What a weather event far inland. Hydro One sent about 150 employees down to Ohio to help in that state. Over 1.3 million people were left in the dark in Ohio alone.

Hurricane forecasters are watching another system that is organizing north of Puerto Rico. They will fly an aircraft into the system today. It could become a depression later today - if it is named it will be Kyle. I will post more tonight along with some photos from the coast.

Greetings from the Seacoast

My photo of Portland Head Light in the strong south winds and fog Sunday along the Maine coast.

Greetings from Seabrook NH. Yesterday was quite the day here and on nearby Plum Island, Mass. When I awoke, we were already at 77F (25C) with a south wind of 35mph. The temperature rose into the 80's, and it was an awesome beach day. The winds were from the remains of Ike. Waves were high and a few trees were down.

What remained of Hurricane Ike pounded the Midwest and northeast with fierce winds. Gusts were over 35mph here along the Atlantic Coast and up to 60mph in Upstate NY and Vermont. In Ontario and Quebec much the same. A peak gust was reported at 78km/h in Montreal with a low pressure reading of 98.71 kpa. Power was out to millions of homes from Texas to Ontario. In all a 2000 mile long swath of damage was reported from Ike. So far nearly 50 people have been killed, 30 in Texas alone. All is quiet in the tropics for the moment.

Powerful wind and rain move north

Tropical Depression Ike continues to cause damage and injuries as he races north at 55mph. The storm is now moving into Ontario with heavy rain and wind. Today the Midwest was hammered with 9 inches of rain in metro Chicago and 80mph winds in Ohio and Indiana. Wind warnings are in effect for northern New York, Vermont and Quebec.

I am in Seabrook, NH tonight. It is a night more suited for the deep south in July. High humidity, 23C and dew points near 22C. It is similar to many other areas in the northeast. All regions south and east of the track of Ike have a tropical air mass in place. Winds here will gust over 30mph tomorrow out of the southwest with seas building to 3-5feet along the Atlantic coastline.

This is from Environment Canada at this hour...

Tropical depression Ike heads towards southern Ontario with heavy rainfall and wind tonight.Post-tropical storm Ike is moving rapidly towards the lower Great Lakes from northeast Indiana at a speed of 80 km/h. Ike's trajectory is expected to move across the west end of Lake Erie early this evening and north of Toronto then north of Ottawa around midnight. As a result of this adjusted northward track..The heaviest rainfall will shift accordingly. The heaviest rainfall is anticipated to stretch from near Sarnia northeast across cottage country into the Renfrew area with amounts of 40 to locally 70 mm. Significant amounts of up to 25 mm are expected south of this swath from Toronto through Ottawa as well but this is below the warning threshold of 50 mm in 12 hours.Another issue with Ike is the wind. Strong winds wrapping around Ike this evening remain strong with a few gusts of 120 km/h across Indiana and Ohio. These winds may weaken slightly this evening as Ike crosses southern Ontario but remain strong enough to warrant concern. Southerly winds of 60 gusting to 100 km/h are expected for areas adjacent to Lake Erie from early to mid evening. Winds just north of Lake Ontario will also become strong..At 50 to 80 km/h..But not likely severe. The winds will shift into the northwest at 50 to 70 km/h later this evening.The heavy rain will end this evening for western regions and late tonight or early Monday morning over eastern Ontario.Environment Canada will continue monitor this situation closely.

Ike heading for Ontario/Quebec

Greetings from Portland, Maine...first of all the remains of Hurricane Ike are going to push northeast as a strong depression towards Ottawa on Monday. As a result very heavy rain will occur from central Ontario across the Ottawa Valley and into western Quebec. Heavy rainfall warnings are in effect with 60-90mm of rain or more than three inches. Flooding is always a possibility with this much rain in 24 hours. The main axis of the rain should fall just north of Kemptville but any deviation would result in heavy rain here. Stay tuned and use the links on the left for updated warnings.

I will be on Plum Island, Mass, we will be on the south and east side of this weather system and are expecting high surf with 30mph south winds and 3-6 foot seas. I will let you know how it plays out with pictures...I hope. Small Craft Advisories are posted here for the Atlantic Coast. Bye for now...off to the Maine Mall.

Ike makes landfall at 2:30AM

Hurricane Ike made landfall in the wee hours of the morning today in Galveston with 110mph winds and a wild 20 foot storm surge. The system is moving inland now. Millions are without power and water. Windows were punched out of numerous sky scrapers in Houston and homes were washed from foundations in Galveston.

I spent the day in Old Orchard Beach, Maine today. It felt odd to walk in the Atlantic Ocean and stare at a coastline that shares the same hurricane threat as the Gulf. Last week Hanna went through this area with minor damages and flooding. We saw some utility crews still working today and the odd deep puddle left over but really all is well here.

I will compile more information on damages from Ike and post an update tomorrow. Bye from Maine...see you tomorrow night.

Ike nears Galveston

Ike less than 100 miles from shore...

Incredible images on CNN of water rushing over the 17 foot seawall on Galveston Island. Ike is a very dangerous category 2 storm with 110mph winds and an incredible 20-25 foot storm surge. It has been 25 years since the last big storm Alicia in 1983 hit the region. Ike is a very large storm which accounts for the incredible surge moving ahead of the eye wall. Today the Coast Guard had to execute numerous rescues from those who did not head the the early warnings to get out. The storm is forecast to make landfall in several hours.

Also today a freighter that went out to sea to ride out the storm has lost power to its engines and is drifting into harms way in the Gulf. The coast guard was unable to preform a rescue due to the severe weather conditions, they will have to ride out the storm.

I will be away from my computer for the next several days, but I will attempt to find one and update the site at least once daily. As always all the links on the left are active and I encourage you to use them to stay informed.

Hurricane Ike Updates

Ike 165 miles from Galveston at 2pm...

Above NHC - Below Reuters

Deadly Ike heads for Galveston

Update 1:22PM: Very dangerous Ike continues towards the Texas coast at 13mph with 105mph winds. Strong winds well in advance of the system have already cut power along the coastline (Bolivar Peninsula). Heavy swells have pushed over 8 feet of water up into Galveston Bay with a 20-22 foot storm surge predicted. In the last hour winds have already gusted above tropical storm force in Galveston. Here is the link to the local statement...GALVESTON NWS.

Kemptville this morning, it has since gone up to 139.9...Photo Nathan Jahn

Update 9:54: Ike is 230 miles from Galveston, 105mph winds moving NW13 mph. The idiots at the major gas companies have now pushed the price to 139.9 a litre as they continue to rob us.

Update 8:18: The gas and oil companies being the devious crooks they are have used Hurricane Ike as an excuse to raise gas prices on a Friday. They rose 15 cents a litre in Kemptville overnight to $1.29.9 (that is over $5.00 a gallon).

Ike at 4am CST

Ike is a very dangerous storm moving at 13mph towards the upper Texas coast.

There is great concern this morning in Galveston, and along the entire upper Texas coast and southwestern Louisiana. Yesterday computer models indicated a northerly turn much sooner then originally expected. This spells very serious news for Galveston Bay and Houston. A Hurricane Warning is now in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to Baffin Bay, Texas with tropical storm warnings as far east as the Mississippi border. Forecasters are expecting a large storm surge from Ike with waves reaching over 20 feet along Galveston Bay and eastward towards Cameron, LA. Massive evacuations have been ordered along the upper Texas coast with more than 1 million residents fleeing inland. Even in Houston most people are being told to leave any low lying areas and to evacuate to upper floors in high rise structures.

Ike is a massive storm with tropical storm force winds extending outward over 250 miles from the center. Ike is a category 2 at this time but expected to increase to a three prior to landfall. The storm is now 265 miles from Galveston and deteriorating weather conditions will occur from this point. All preparations are being rushed to completion at this time. Winds and waves will increase from the south today with landfall near Galveston expected by midnight tonight.

Afterwards Ike is expected to rapidly move northeast towards the lower Great Lakes, and weaken to a depression. Heavy rain and gusty winds will extend well inland, but the life threatening storm surge will be confined to coastal counties. You need to get off the upper Texas and southwest Louisiana coast now.

Please take time to Remember today

For all the victims as well as the family and friends

of those lost that terrible day...we remember.

Frosty Morning & Ike

Steam rises off the relatively warm waters of the Kemptville Creek at sunrise this morning.

I can't believe it was 6C this morning in Kemptville. I don't want summer to go just yet. This is way too fast in my opinion. Tonight there is a real threat of frost away from any bodies of water. Clear skies and light winds, will allow frost to form in many areas as temperatures head towards 3 or 4C. A frost advisory is out for parts of New York State and scattered across New England and New Brunswick. I imaging they will be posted as well for parts of Quebec and Ontario later today. So if you have any tender items in the garden, you might want to cover them up. It will warm up into the weekend with scattered showers.

Hurricane Ike is getting back together after hammering Cuba and the Florida keys all day yesterday. Winds were recorded at 66mph in Key West and 118mph in Cuba. Flooding rain and heavy surf also pounded Cuba yesterday with waves as high as 50 feet. A state of emergency has been declared in 88 Texas counties as they prepare for the arrival of Ike late Friday and Saturday. Forecasters are expecting Ike to regain category 3 strength as he slides across the warm waters of the Gulf. Expect landfall at this time close to Corpus Christie. Afterwards I had expected Ike to remain in south Texas or Mexico and rain itself out as most storms in the southern Gulf do. It now appears Ike will take a sharp right hand turn and get caught up in a weather system moving across the central US. We may see the remains of Ike as a heavy rainstorm some time late in the weekend or Monday.

Fall Weather

Ike has pounded Cuba overnight with 50 foot waves and 100mph winds. There have been reports of fatalities. AP Photo

It is a very cool and grey morning here in Kemptville with a temperature right around 13C, but it feels cooler, much like dare I say fall. It rained quite steady most of the overnight period with around 15mm here in town. The low pressure and cold front will slide east into Quebec and New England today. Look for clearing skies later today but with no clouds and cold high pressure in place, there will be a risk of frost in some localities away from water tonight.

Hurricane Ike is moving across southern coastal Cuba this morning and will move into the Gulf of Mexico by tonight. Look for the storm to gather strength and head for coastal Texas by weeks end. Forecasters are eying Corpus Christie at this time.

Ike over Cuba

Effects of Hanna in Manteo, North Carolina on the Outer Banks this past Saturday.
AP Photo

What remains of tropical storm Hanna is moving out to sea this morning east of Newfoundland. The storm dumped nearly 150mm of rain on parts of New Brunswick, at times over 30mm an hour. Some roads have been washed out, basements flooded, and rivers are running at bank full. In Nova Scotia 40-70mm fell with 70km/h winds that cut power in places. Hanna was a quick moving system which lessened the impact on the region. Across New England it was much of the same, very heavy rain Saturday night with flooding, trees and power lines down.

Hurricane Ike this morning is moving across Cuba from east to west. The storm is encountering the mountainous terrain of the central part of the island country, and has weakened to a category 2 hurricane. Its 125mph winds and storm surge moved inland last evening. Ike is expected to move back into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday and will threaten the central Gulf by weeks end. Forecasters are eying the upper Texas coast as a possible US landfall, possibly near Galveston Island.

In eastern Ontario we are awaiting the arrival of a strengthening low pressure area from Ohio. The system is forecast to move down the St. Lawrence Valley on Tuesday with steady rain in the region. Look for 15-25mm of rain. Meanwhile today a cold front will slip across the valley later this afternoon. there is the risk of thunderstorms with the passage.

Ike remains strong

Ike this morning from the NHC. Below flooding in Haiti from Hanna. More than 130 deaths have been reported. The Red Cross needs your help. www.redcross.ca

Hanna is moving northeast into Nova Scotia this morning. Rain has been extremely heavy along the path of the storm with 3-5 inches or 75-125mm. Flooding has been reported. All attention is now turning to Hurricane Ike. Ike is located near Grand Inagua Island in the southeastern Bahamas and is heading west southwest towards Cuba. Sadly more heavy rain is expected for flood ravaged Haiti. I will have more information shortly.

Ike a 4 - Hanna Update

Tropical Storm Hanna is moving into New England at this hour with 90km/h winds and about 100mm of rain (3-4 inches). Flood Warnings are in place for much of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. At its closet approach to our region Hanna sent a steady stream of rapidly moving clouds along with periodic showers and drizzle into North Grenville this afternoon. The IR image below shows the clouds and precipitation along her western flank over our region. The photo above I took today down at Windmill Point along the Seaway looking south into New York State. Clouds rapidly flowing to the northeast along with a few showers and that is all.

As Hanna turns towards the Maratimes and off into the Atlantic we will turn our attention to extremely dangerous Hurricane Ike. Ike is a category 4 storm at this time with 135mph winds. He is moving west southwest towards Cuba at this time. The storm may slide south of the keys but enter the Gulf and could threaten Louisiana again. I wish it were not so, but each successive computer run brings it into the Gulf. Lets pray/wish it out to sea.

A full update tomorrow morning by 8am.

Tropical Update

It is raining this morning across eastern Ontario. Here in Kemptville we had about 10-15mm overnight. Most of the rain was from a cold front that passed over the region. I noticed on radar this morning across central New York State, some of the northern feeder bands from Tropical Storm Hanna are beginning to cross that area. They should remain south and east of Ontario.

Hanna is over eastern North Carolina. Rain has been steady inland with 2-4 inches and some flooding reported. Winds have been gusting to 50 and 60 mph along the Outer Banks and north into Virginia. Heavy rain is expected northward into the middle Atlantic and northeast and New England. Heavy rain warnings are also in effect for southern New Brunswick and western Nova Scotia for up to 80mm of rain tonight into Sunday.

Flood Watches and Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect from the Outer Banks north into New England. Our attention will turn soon to Hurricane Ike that has been maintaining a westward course towards northern Cuba and the Florida Keys. A mandatory evacuation is expected in the Keys shortly. Sadly it appears that Ike will remain a Category 3 hurricane as he moves into the Gulf of Mexico and could threaten the central Gulf Coast once again by the middle of next week.

Hanna nearing coast

Hanna nearing North Carolina. NOAA

At 10pm Tropical Storm Hanna was very near the Carolina coast south of Wilmington. Winds in the region have been reported in the 30-40mph range. Tropical Storm Wind Warnings are in effect northward to southern New England. Heavy rain is expected in Nova Scotia as well. The statement from the Canadian Hurricane Centre can be read here... http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/hurricane/statements_e.html

A tornado watch is in effect for the eastern Carolina's. Scattered tornadoes are possible as the circulation of Hanna moves inland. A second landfall is possible Saturday along Long Island, NY. The good news is Hanna will be a fast moving storm, so rainfall should be limited to 2-4 inches in most areas.

Ike is still forecast to be a major hurricane. We will look at Ike on Saturday as well as an update on Hanna and Gustav's final damage tally.

Hanna near Hurricane Strength

Update 2:22PM: Just a quick note, the combination of an approaching cold front to our west and the remains of Hurricane Gustav sliding north across Ontario are producing gusty south winds from 30-60km/h across the southeastern part of the province today. Kemptville had a gust to 46km/h at 2pm. It is also pumping warm air northward. Temperatures are in he 29C to 32C range today so far (85-90F).

Tropical Storm Hanna continues to move north towards the Carolina coast this afternoon. She is about 315 miles south of Wilmington moving north at 20mph. A NOAA recon flight reported top winds at 70mph. It would only take a small increase to become a hurricane. Rainfall of 5-10 inches is forecast along the path of the storm from South Carolina to Nova Scotia. Gusty winds are forecast along the Carolina and Virginia coast. Tropical Storm Warnings are out from New Jersey south to South Carolina. A Tropical storm watch is in effect north of NJ to Rhode Island.

Hanna moving north, Ike & Florida

Update 10:30am: Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm warning remain in effect for coastal areas from South Carolina across North Carolina and as far north as New Jersey. Rough seas are expected along the entire east coast today. Hanna is located about 425 miles south of the North Carolina coast. The outer most bands are reaching the southern Outer Banks at this hour. There will be heavy rain, 40mph winds and the risk of a tornado or two. Rotation has been observed in some of the cells.

Eastern Ontario remains influenced by two tropical systems and a cold front on this Friday morning. The remains of Gustav is off to our west with heavy rain falling over Michigan and north into northeast Ontario. 25-50mm of rain are expected there today. Our region will remain warm and humid and approach 30C once again, despite the cloud cover.

Meanwhile Tropical Storm Hanna is off to our southeast and has prompted watches and warnings along the east coast of the US from South Carolina to New Jersey. The storm is moving much quicker at over 20mph as she becomes influenced by a cold front moving southeast. Preparations are being rushed to completion along the southeast shore and at my second home, the Outer Banks of coastal North Carolina. The storm will move north today and into the Maratimes by Sunday. Along her path rainfall will be significant, but not as much as expected due to the rapid movement of the storm. Most areas in her path can expect winds of over 50mph and rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches with upwards of 100 inches in the Carolina's and southeast Virginia.

Hanna has killed over 130 people in Haiti due to intense flooding.

Hurricane Ike is a dangerous category three storm this morning heading west in the Atlantic. The storm is heading towards the Bahamas and South Florida. Watches may be needed by days end.

Hanna threatens East Coast

Update at 3pm: Hurricane Watch extended northward to Ocracoke Inlet. Now its personal as Hanna threatens my favorite place on the planet Orcacoke Island (See My Blog List below). The projected path of Hanna. Courtesy NHC

Tropical Storm Hanna is taking aim at the entire eastern seaboard. A hurricane watch is in effect from Surf City, North Carolina to Edisto Beach, South Carolina. There is growing concern that Hanna could produce 4 to 8 inches of rain or up to 200mm from the Carolina's into southern and eastern Quebec, with the heaviest rain in the mountains of the east including water logged Vermont. We could see this rain in our area by Saturday. The storm will bear close watching. This morning Hanna is drifting north across the Bahamas with 50-60mph winds. She is expected to reach hurricane force by late Friday before sweeping into the Carolina coast. After that she will race northeast across New England and into the Maratimes.

Once we are done with Hanna we will have to quickly turn our attention to Hurricane Ike. Ike is a monster category 4 this morning with winds of 145mph as he heads west in the open waters of the Atlantic. All interests along the east coast from Florida to Nova Scotia need to watch where Ike is going.

Next update by 4pm today....

Remember September

Ah yes, September......the most active tropical month of the year. We currently are watching four systems. Gustav is dying out over Arkansas. The storm was responsible for 7 US fatalities and damage in the billions. Coastal areas inland all the way to I-10 suffered tremendous damage - west of New Orleans. Almost 1.2 million people were without power, and it may be weeks before it is restored. Many inland areas such as Baton Rouge and Lafayette suffered more damage than New Orleans.

Next is Hanna...after slipping south for several days and flooding Haiti with the loss of several lives, the storm has slowly began a northward drift. Forecasters expect the storm to intensify slowly to a Category 1 Hurricane before making landfall on the South Carolina coast. The storm will then move northward along the eastern seaboard towards Nova Scotia. Clouds and rain from Hanna will spread into eastern Ontario Saturday.

Tropical Storm Ike is expected too become a hurricane today as he moves west across the Atlantic towards the Bahamas. This storm will bear watching as it moves into more favorable conditions for intensifying.

Josephine is a tropical storm way out in the Atlantic just off the coast of Africa and moving west. It is days away from being on our radar.
Bear in mind it is September and forecasters are predicting a very active month for all areas along the east coast and gulf coast. That includes our Maratimes, eastern Ontario and Quebec.

Gustav Update

Water sweeps over the levees in the Industrial Canal area of New Orleans in this Reuters photo.

8:00PM: Hurricane Gustav is well inland over Louisiana near Baton Rouge. The storm made landfall today with major damage from Grand Isle to the Texas border and east into New Orleans and beyond towards Florida. Plenty of wind and water damage along the entire coast. 700,000 are without power. The levees in New Orleans were over topped, but they appear to be holding so far. Major flooding is occurring in other Parishes around the southern part of the state as other levees fail. A fierce effort is underway with sandbagging to save numerous homes. Some regions along the immediate coast remain under 10 feet of water.

Our attention will turn shortly to now Hurricane Hanna and Tropical Storm Ike. Hanna is heading through the Bahamas and is expected to threaten the southeast by weeks end. Ike is in the open waters of the Atlantic heading west.

Gustav on the Louisiana Coast

11:15 Update: Gustav continues to hammer the Louisiana coast at this hour with the surge moving inland. Over 10 feet of water at least is moving inland. According to CNN water is beginning to breach the levees in the lower ninth ward once again. This is a developing story and it is not clear if the water is passing over or through them...the winds and seas will continue to pound the region all day and only subside towards the end of the day as Gustav continues to move further inland. Power poles, trees, roofs have been reported down. Damage reports continue to come in as the area continues to receive 100mph winds and stronger in gusts. Heavy weather is being reported from the Florida panhandle to eastern Texas.

NOTE: I will continue to monitor several sources for information, and update the BLOG later today around 6pm. I am on the road for the next couple of hours with satellite radio in hand but no computer..need to work on that!

Gustav on the coast...

Hurricane Gustav is making landfall at this hour on the coast near Grand Isle. The tiny barrier island is under about 4 feet of water at this time as the surge continues to rise. This storm, while being bad, has never looked as bad as Katrina on radar. The good news yesterday was the increase in forward speed which did not allow for any major intensification. In addition dry air working into the system has diminished some of the convection. The short of it is the storm appears to not be as bad as expected. There is flooding and damage and power outages, but so far the news is better than with Katrina. East of downtown New Orleans a 9 foot surge has been reported but the news is the levees are holding.

Winds of close to 100mph have been reported on Grand Island, and 65mph in New Orleans.

We will continue to update all day long as news becomes available from the coast. Keep in mind Hanna is threatening the east coast and two more systems are being watched in the Atlantic. September will be busy. We will turn our attention to Hanna later today.