- Updates from the Islands -

- - Antigua - -

More recent reports can be found elsewhere

- - - 2002 Hurricane Season - - -

- hurricane alley

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 18:12:36 -0400

20-25kts.scudding clouds.occasional squall.grass went green overnight.

atlantic empty.adrenaline dormant.

- STOOOOORMYYYYY!!!!

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 17:33:15 +0000

Well !! That was some storm we get last night in St.John's with wind of 30mph gusting to 45mph around 11:45pm accompanied by very heavy rain and a few Thunderstorms and light showers has been falling non-stop for at least 6 hours before and after the squalls. The weather has somehow clear up a bit now but it is still cloudy. We expect a few more showers and thats it. The rain is welcomed here all years round. Well, nice to hear from u guys on the other islands. Just hope that the Atlantic will remain as quiet as possible as it already is.

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- STORMY STORMY NIGHT

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 07:55:22 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

OH MY did we have STORMY WEATHER LAST NIGHT... Being on the highest hill on the East Coast I feel it, however... and am sure we had some odd gusts of up to 40 mph... Had a squall come through from the SOUTH (most of our weather is north east ) that nearly sent an outdoor umbrella (which is tied down on the 4 corners)..FLYING high.... Had to remove it in the middle of the squall...... Leaves and small tree branches and debris all over the place this morning. But we DID GET RAIN ALSO... This morning is a very gusty day and the sea is very rough on the Atlantic side.. by the looks of the satellite photo on stormcarib site you can see the patch of rough stuff which passed through most of the islands tonight. This is NOT A SMALL BOATING DAY!! think I will stay close to home instead!!! Guess we can't have paradise everyday!

- TD # 10...

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 17:05:10 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Well the fly boys found a system... THIS ONE IS REALLY FAR SOUTH!!! off Trinidad at 10.1 and 61.5.... Rarely do the Southern islands get the bad weather... All of the island chain seems to have stormy cloudy weather overhead looking at the satellite. Antigua has had lightening and thunder and LOTS OF NICE RAIN For the day... that part has been super... So.. we'll keep watching that African coast and in-between! Looks like we will have a wet night too...

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 15:45:11 -0400

as i write 40 mph gusts in front of magnificent storm cell

- WONDERFUL RAIN

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 11:18:38 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

POURING DOWN WITH RAIN HERE ON THE ATLANTIC SIDE OF THE ISLAND! WONDEFUL HARD RAIN WITH LOTS OF DARK CLOUDS BEHIND THIS PATCH!! Not sure what is happening on the other side of the island...

ACTUALLY DANCING IN THE RAIN (SERIOUSLY!!...nothing like a nature shower! Our piped water has been turned off for about 10 days due to low water tables here so this is a GREAT BLESSING... Glad I wished for it last night.. you can see on the weather satellite the patch of clouds over Antigua.. (we are just above the butterfly island on the map!! )

- IS WEATHER COMING OR IS WEATHER NOT COMING

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 19:39:22 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

WILL WE GOT SOME WEATHER OR WON'T WE There is a "suspect area" , as the fly boys say, out there.. east of the Lesser Antilles.. Tomorrow SAT the Hurricane Hunters are due to fly it at 1500Z when it should be 13.N and 58W and if it develops flights will continue on six hourly fixes.... There is already HANNA up north and TD #9...so if this develops it will be TD #10...and if it continues to develop.. will be ISIRORE unless #9 develops first..then is would JOSEPHINE!! BUT MAYBE IT WILL BE NO... anyway.. for now it is a pretty evening in the islands but HOT AND DRY... would like to think we DO GET THE RAIN!!

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- Beautiful Day

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 12:55:21 -0400


We have lovely weather today in Antigua. Bright and sunny, blue skies and a 
light breeze blesses our shores today. I hope it stays like that all weekend. 
There is quite a bit on the satellite maps, we will have to keep an eye on that.

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- NINE ELEVEN 2001 .. NOT HURRICANES....

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 06:10:02 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

LONG MAY SHE WAVE...IN THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE BRAVE

TERRFYING TRAMATIC HORRID UNREAL DISPICABLE UNTHINKABLE INCOMPRENHENSIBLE... need I say more....

I AM AN AMERICAN AND PROUD OF IT...

One year ago today I was in the USA with plans to travel back to Antigua on a 5 p.m. AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT. Obviously I never boarded that flight. I was IN A DENTAL CHAIR when the Doc came in to relate the news... it did not sink in...it was ears only that heard it...not eyes...and as i drove a rental car back to the Miami airport to be turned away as no was allowed near any USA airport...I ONLY HEARD RADIO COVERAGE.... EARS ONLY...NOT EYES... I can now relate to those who are so unfortunate to not have eyesight. I was taken in by STRANGERS....people I HAD NEVER MET IN MY LIFE... there were no hotel rooms available in Miami...and had I turned in my rental car there would have been no rental cars either...This was when, for the first time in 5 hours since the attack I SAW THE HORROR ON TELEVISON. Thank My GOD FOR VISION... FOR 5 days I waited for a flight home... and had the hospitality and welcoming of these wonderful people who took me in...angels....

I was blessed to be in the USA...to see the outpouring of patriotism from all of those around me.

Antigua is my HOME...I am an "ANTIGUAN" too... and very proud of that.. but my NATIVE HOME is THE USA...I AM AN AMERICAN... and UNITED WE STAND..

Their cruel trick backfired... WE ARE STRONGER... WE ARE BETTER PEOPLE FOR IT... WE ARE TOGETHER AND UNITED WE STAND... HURRICANES???? we can survive anything after NINE ELEVEN...

Today I talk on our local radio station to relate how...as a "transplanted" American I feel now, one year later on NINE ELEVEN... We will never forget....

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- Overcast & rain

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 07:56:52 -0400


This morning is very overcast with occasional shower activity. We need the rain 
and it will certainly cool down a bit as the last few days have been scorchers. 
There were a few showers last night as well, nothing heavy but rain 
nevertheless. 


Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- QUICK HELLO

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 09:24:35 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Just a quick HELLO for those who ck us out daily! We are still around.. All good news weather wise here... Beautiful BUT HOT CARIBBEAN SUMMER DAYS NOW...and not much excitement for US weather wise (thank goodness....wave about 850 miles off Cape Verde just moving along and does not look like it will develop at this point..so that makes us happy.

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- JUST WATCHING.....is it TD #8

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2002 17:28:18 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

That strong wave or monsoon depression just off the African coast is getting a bit more

organized so we are just watching to see if this will be #8.. If #7 (now at 24.7N and 48.6W)

does develope it will be GUSTAV....so then #8 would be HANNA! Let's just watch & see Some models show a TC by end of the wkend as it moves westward into the

central Atlantic....

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- satellite pic

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 21:03:30 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Think that Satellite pic the boys posted (see below..) is their way of trying to get our attention... that is some blob of clouds forming.. MAYBE GUSTAUV since TD #6 will probably be FAYE.... one model show it tracking in a westerly direction... Stay alert and hope the backroom boys lay off the rum

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- FAY?

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 18:18:38 -0400

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/RT/EATL/IR4/20.jpg

20.url

- a BEAUTIFUL DAY IN "PARADISE"

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 2002 07:27:56 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

WOW.. TODAY IS ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CALM, SUNNY DAY.. .AND as yesterday the sea is very calm! Was so calm yesterday I could get round on the north east coast of Antigua and up close to DEVILS BRIDGE - see photo... this area is often too rough to get close to. It is one of our tourist attractions on the north-eastern point and was made a National Park in the 1950s. It is a very scenic area to view from the land side (and the sea side but few boats come this way).....A natural arch carved from the sea from the limestone ledges which make up the island is the "Devils Bridge" and they say (according to the Antigua book "To Shoot Hard Labour") that a number of slaves from nearby estates would throw themselves off into the massive breakers and swells that crash on the rocks. Well worth a drive out to see DEVILS BRIDGE if you are visiting our paradise..

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ANTIGUA SCENES 005.jpg

- STILL HERE....

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 09:25:19 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

HI "weather watchers"... and "island watchers"... Still around with much THANKSGIVING that DOLLY danced away!! ..and not just for us but for ALL OF THE ISLANDS.

and to think HURRICANE LUIS was blowing us apart 7 years ago TODAY(went on 36 hours so was really today and tomorrow).

.. never thought life would be normal after he passed by leaving this island blown up and my roof all over this hillside.....but just shows how we islanders pull up our boot straps and get back to living even in adverse conditions...

This is THE TIME OF YEAR for hurricanes however..with September being our most active month so we are all tuned to that African coast and what may roll off...

Weather is so calm and beautiful now... that flat still backroom boys reported on is STILL WITH US....dying to go to sea as this is the kind of day it is like a magic world out there

with dolphins dancing! so think i will hang a sign out CLOSED FOR BUSINESS..gone fishin' (not really fishing...maybe diving!! ) Later..

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- CAVU

From: "Sandra Murray" <sandratm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 21:59:10 -0700

Sunshine all day and wind between 5kts and 10 kts from the East.Same for Barbuda.

- calm

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 19:41:50 -0400

rarely do we have days such as have the last 3 or 4 days been.

absolute flat glass calm.the sea like Nicholsons Gin.

bottom visible over 100 feet deep.

no wind no clouds.

very hot but sea warm.

rum and coke cold.

- On the brink of death.....coming back to life

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2002 21:30:40 +0000

imaged on 31/8/00

Dolly seems better organized today than yesterday as the Satillite imageries suggested, comparing the image from yesterday and today. The image below show banding features and the center is within the strong convection while the image above is just a disorganized mass broken in two.

imaged on 1/9/00

Dolly is expected to pass well North of the islands without bringing much change to the weather except for the 'heats'. Below is the forcast track for Dolly.

forcast track for 11:00am 1/9/00 (black dots indicate alternative track and green lines indicate strikable area)

Other than Dolly, there are a few areas of disturbed weather that require our interests(enclosed in blue boxes in the image below). These systems have potential for further development during the next few days.

Otherwise, if you ask for the condition in Antigua right now, I can tell you that the blues of the sky merges into the blues of the sea as far as I can see.

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- balmy

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 1 Sep 2002 11:29:49 -0400

you could'nt find a more beautiful day anywhere.

- Looks like GOODBYE DOLLY!!!!

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 12:35:15 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

GREAT NEWS is that it looks like DOLLY is falling apart!! Still watching , however, until she is well past the islands... as we have seen 'um do odd things (remember LENNY... who turned around and came the WRONG WAY and gave us all h... for a few days!!! ) So - this time --- much to do about nothing in the end...but we can't ignore them either! Still an overcast gray rainy kind of day in Antigua...

another wave not related to DOLLY at all... but bringing some needed rainfall...Later guys.......... hope there is NO MORE SAY ABOUT DOLLY.

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- satellites ,the web,etc....

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 09:42:16 -0400

lovely wet blustery overcast dark brooding weather with a hint of threatening danger.

without the web it might even be fun not knowing what was coming next,

like 50 years ago when the only man on the island with a barometer would, at his home at the top of High Street when the mercury dropped,fly a red flag,causing all to board up.

thank goodness there is still some unpredictability in nature.

viva el inconocido!

- BAD WEATHER????

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 20:15:19 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Just to remind you guys we RARELY HAVE BAD WEATHER..Sometimes I feel all this "hurricane reporting' gives a wrong impression... so don't forget about the "paradise" we usually have.. super beach days and boating explorations of our beautiful marine world in gin clear water!!.... and then you go and panic and cancel holidays/vacations ( the lingo...depending if you are a Brit or an American)..have had sev. emails with this sort of tone ( not coming to the islands because of HURRICANES!! YES WE ARE WATCHING DOLLY.. but we have done this for lots of yrs now...and the CARIB AND ARAWAK Indians did before us.. and even if she comes she will GO and we will clean up the mess in the blink of an eye.... so it is not a new "ting" (that's west Indian for "THING"!!

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- Barbi...Dolly

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 15:50:50 +0000

Its a rainy morning in Antigua and we are in for more, the SATs shows a big area of convection just east of us(some of the strong convection has diminished while others are developing). Its been overcast in the island since last night.
Dolly has increased its forward speed(base on 11:00am report) but is expected to slow down again. Although Dolly has strenghten to 65mph during the past few hours and is expected to become a hurricane soon, things dosen't seem too good for Dolly in the future. With upper-level winds expected to become unfavourable, Dolly is predicted to weaken after 72 hours, but the Computer Models could be wrong(as much as it could be right). IF... the storm survives, it is expected to pass north of us. Again...it could pass a bit to the south(Dangerously close to us) like many other storm did in the past. We have examples that storms have been predicted to pass North of us but then it shift South, anyway, its still too early to be sure. We have to keep a close eye on the system.

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- DOLLY UPDATE 11 A.M.

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 11:35:53 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

DOLLY IS GETTING STRONGER... now winds of 65 MPH up from 50 MPH . now at 10.4W and 37.2 N ..

... she is also moving faster at 16 MPH STILL IN A WESTWARD MOTION.

Seems her actions last few hours have some classic features for small but very intense Atlantic hurricanes. She is showing no shearing and has symmetrical outflow. Being so low (around 10) she is protected from shear. NHC has her gradually developing into hurricane over next 72 hours... but their path of her moving WNW would allow for some shear and if she does not make this north turn

she will have less shear and more rapid intensification. We need to stay very alert with this one...

I predict - not that i am any weather expert but sure getting to know the lingo and tech stuff.... from those in the know I have spoken with, that we will have a hurricane on our hands within the next 36 hours....... For now we are getting some needed RAIN -the good part.... and it is gray and overcast.

Keep your chins up guys... we have been down this path lots of times and at least we now have GOOD INFO and are in much better shape than we were when LUIS blew us away!! STAY TUNED FOR YORU HURRICANE CORRESPONDANTS IN THE ISLANDS!

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- RAIN RAIN RAIN

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:50:25 -0400


It is completely overcast with dark grey clouds. Based on the maps, it seems as 
if the Eastern Caribbean is in for a rain dump? There is a large mass moving 
westwards towards us. There are no reports associated with this mass thus far. 

Dolly is on her way and should be nearby in a few days. Currently, the tracks 
have her passing north or us but I am wary of any storms developing below 10N 
(HUGO, LUIS, MARILYN, GEORGES) at this time of the year. 

We will have to keep a keen eye on DOLLY.

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- hurricane alley

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 09:19:22 -0400

that system just east of us grew so quickly that it caught the boys with their pants down.

all marine interests are scurrying to haul out or to get out of dodge.

it will be a busy weekend.

- DOLLY TODAY

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 08:22:27 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

DOLLY is sure dancing across the Atlantic in a WEST line. and she strengthened overnight to 50 MPH... (has to get to 74 MPH to become a hurricane...) I was hoping for a N turn but no such luck yet.....She is now 9.8N 34.9 W moving at 13 mph in A WEST DIRECTION.. That puts her about 1800 miles away.....Antigua is 17.1 N and 61.4 W.... That puts her about 5 or 6 days away... unless she picks up speed... so it IS NOT TOO EARLY to prepare.. even the back room boys are taking notice... Wont put up my hurricane shutter just yet but think I will do some checks around the property etc... Sure will be glad when the "boys in blue" (Hurricane hunters...) (actually they wear GREEN) fly her and give us more accurate info. Stay tuned for more...

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- from hurricane alley

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 00:42:27 -0400

antigua sleeps while dolly creeps westward.

i can hear thunder as i write.

it is never too early to prepare.

- SO IT IS HELLO DOLLY...

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 17:25:34 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

GUESS WE ALL KNEW IT... Now it is official... SHE HAS FORMED..TROPICAL STORM DOLLY.... 5 p.m. was 9.8 N 32.7 W with winds now 40 MPH and slowed down to 14 miles an hour IN A WEST MOVEMENT (was wnw) !!! Hurricane hunters will probably be tasked to deploy to Caribbean base in St. Croix on Monday to fly her Tuesday if she holds together which is looking like the picture!! That will give a more accurate picture of her..and as they say...."The closer it is the more accurate the facts"... Don't like the path they are showing on www.intellicast.com/StormCenter ..

but STAY COOL

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- TD #4 is born

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 12:48:36 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Well as of 11 a.m. today...Thursday... the wave we have been watching is A DEPRESSION... Seems conditions are favorable for it to intensity and it will probably officially be named DOLLY as we have all been commenting on in our postings.. so wake up those back room boys and take away their rum bottle...they need to pay attention to things

Am told "the latest convective bursts may be all that is needed for active cyclogenesis"... that means it will get stronger!!!!

My discussion with those more into weather and who really understand it say some of the Model tracks show a west WNW movement but the question is if the heading is 280 or 290 or 295 etc.. (as we all know there are always questions on WHAT NATURE WILL DO...) because at the present location it makes a big difference as to the system coming into the Caribbean or passing north of the islands as we all hope will be the case...

NOGAPS (Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System) has it drifting west and has it east of the Wndwards in 120 hours.

Anyway... we all need to stay alert on this one in case we are singing HELLO DOLLY!!

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- WILL IT BE DOLLY....

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 17:12:07 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Sure.... we should sit up and pay attention (as I think a lot of us are) because it looks like the activity which is about 430 miles off the Cape Verde may be A PLAYE, at least for someone...( Cape Verdes are 2400 from Leewards...so that puts it just over 1900 miles away!! way to early to worry but if they are correct in that it is moving around 20 mph that means it is about 95 hours - nearly 4 days away!!) around Sept. 1st...but we know lots can happen in between..but GUESS WHEN the 1995 LUIS BLEW US AWAY!!. Sept. 4th and 5th!!.. ) now approximately 9.0N 25.5W... Most likely it will be upgraded to a depression soon and if named it is HELLO DOLLY ... But the good news is that the National Hurricane Center ran their in-house models and they show a WNW trend... which most likely would put the system off the EAST COAST (Carolinas)...and she would go NORTH of the islands.. This is all SATELLITE info..so the real accurate data would not be gathered until Hurricane Hunters fly her....which would be when she reaches 55W.... For now we just watch and hopefully most are already prepared for HURRICANE SEASON since we are all old hands and battening down the hatches...

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- HERE COMES DOLLY......???

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 15:51:46 +0000

The first 'Cape Verde Storm' and the 4th Tropical Storm of the season may be forming right now off the coast of Africa, base on the 11:00am Outlook.We'll just have to wait and see...

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- hmmm..development?

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:08:37 -0400


The text and pictures are hinting at some form of development off Africa. This 
we have to keep a close eye on as we head towards the early September storm 
peak. 

Very nice weather today, very clear, the southern hills are alive with detail 
and they are exceptionally green this morning...


Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:34:58 -0400

hello dolly?

- MORE...on ring around the sun

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 13:51:10 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

OK guys and gals... for those who asked for more on the

"rainbow" around the sun which I told you about yesterday.. one of the Hurricane hunter expert weather guys gave me the low down to pass on to you ..It is really a Halo...a bright colored ring generally formed in veils of cirro-stratus or in cirrus clouds. Clouds giving rise to halos are composed of small ice crystal and the regularity of the shapes of the crystals is responsible for the symmetry of the light phenomena. The inner edge is fairly sharply defined and red in color, followed by yellow, green, white, running into blue!

How is that for an explanation! This is more fun than telling you about nailing tar paper over my hurricane hit roof!

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- Another blazin hot day

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:13:50 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

We are all complaining about THE HEAT...that's the topic of conversation when you meet someone just now....as bad as the Englishmen always talking about the RAIN!!! .... but then it IS SUMMER IN THE TROPICS so we should not be surprised sure would rather have this than 4 feet of SNOW!!! otherwise all looks good on the hurricane front... sorry back room boys..stay bored for the time .. the rest of us want another yrs break from the wild winds! Enjoy......

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- RING AROUND THE SUN

From: "Martha Watkins Gilkes" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 12:27:10 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

We have a somewhat odd thing going on RIGHT NOW...we have a complete RAINBOW ALL AROUND THE SUN!! sort of cool .... Our met office just explained on the radio that this is due to heavy mositure in the high upper levels and this is causing the rainbow to appear COMPLETLY around the sun... wonder if it is being seen in other parts of the world or only in our paradise. really neat!

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 15:26:28 -0400

Day after day of absolutely stunningly beautiful weather with calm translucent aquamarine seas and gorgeous blindingly white beaches.

We need a change,please.

- SUNDAY MORNING CALM

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 07:04:03 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

A beautiful Sunday morning.... still calm and no storm activity on

the horizon.. looks like a super Sunday and a perfect boating day!

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- CALM DOWN

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 15:34:09 +0000

Hello everyone, its all sunshine in Antigua except for a few patches of clouds. Temp. is in the upper 80's with light breeze blowing. The Atlantic are relatively quiet due to strong subsidence in the East and unfavourable upper winds in the West with showers only in the ITCZ, seem as though the it has gotten too dangerously 'fat' with hurricanes for the past few years so it has decided to take a 'storm free' diet this year and eat dry air instead.

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- STILL CALM WITH US!!!

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 07:03:36 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

LAST NIGHT WAS HOT AND TOTALLY STILL...even on the ATLANTIC SIDE

HERE..not a puff of air blowing and this morning is a still calm morning looking

out to sea...for sure August weather. Going to be a beautiful

day in "paradise"!

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- STORMY NIGHT IN PARADISE

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 06:51:17 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Last night was heavy rain

and lightening flashes all about

woke me from deep sleep with the show... when Hurricane Lenny (remember that's the one that hit us fromthe wrong way...developing in the Gulf and turning east and dancing across the islands and BACK SOUTH to Antigua...where it broke apart soon after) passed thru in NOVEMBER 1999 the departure show was an amazing lightening show... this was not

to Lennys level but we sure had some impressive flashes (more so overlooking the Atlantic Ocean....) also got lots of rain ALWAYS WELCOME in our paradise... till next time............

____________________________________________________

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 07:25:38 -0400

1.3 inches of rain last night.lots of donner und blitzen fun.

- Rain Rain Rain !!!

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 08:33:15 -0400

I guess I have to take my shoe out of my mouth for saying that it is going to 
be a hot week! Last night there were some heavy showers around 23:30. This 
morning we awoke to find very overcast skies and intermittent shower activity. 
As I write this, rain is very heavy in the south and over the east and 
northeast. There are patches of blue sky with cumulus clouds but for the most 
part it will be a rainy morning

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- Beautiful weather all weekend!!!

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 08:55:44 -0400

Hi,

We had gorgeous weather all weekend. There were some reports of an occasional 
shower but for the most part, there was blue skies, white puffy clouds although 
it was gusty at times. The weather remains that way as I write this. It is 
going to be a hot week!


Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- WILD IS THE WIND

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2002 09:34:51 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

My goodness...aren't those back room

boys desperate!!!...,TO GO CHASING A MERMAIDS PHOTO! someone please give 'um another bottle of rum and tell 'um to shut up!

Maybe they do need a good hurricane...but just not in ANTIGUA, PLEASE...can we sent them someplace???

But as it is another beautiful summer day the only thing with hurricane

excitement i can bring you is the attached story about the boys who really

DO CHASE THE WILD WIND... Gert is going to post this on the official site but

thought those who ck the Antigua page may enjoy and advanced read..... enjoy.......

____________________________________________________

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hurricane.pdf

- SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!-

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 21:31:09 -0400

Unprecedented-STOP PRESS.

The boys in the backroom have disappeared.

After frantic,desperate and indeed exhaustive searches throughout the island with the aid of an old bloody hound the boys were discovered in police custody at the airport!

Apparently in a desperate and forlorn bid they tried to hijack the last flight to Tortola and were surrounded by a swat team who after a great battle subdued my boys.

After being grilled and with promises of rum they all confessed that they had seen the photo posted on the Tortola page and were irresistably driven by their vestigal libidos to attempt this dastardly criminal act.Dear Miss Mermaid has been taken into the B.V.I. witness protection program.

Bail was set at $7.50 E.C.

- WHITHER O CAPE VERDE TEMPESTS?

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 19:04:00 -0400

martha- what is a hurricane season without a hurricane?

the trackers and the watchers have nothing to track or watch.

the boys in the back say it's like an empty bottle of rum- no fun.

without tempting fate,a little action would not be unacceptable.

- HOT SUMMER DAY

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 13:57:10 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)

Just to check in with you hurricane watchers! It is a hot summer day

here in sunny Antigua....should be since we are in the middle of August.

Nice to hear they have updated the hurricane forecast and things look

a bit better for us with FEWER HURRICANES predicted!! Let's hope we just keep enjoying the long dry summer!! ....with some welcome rain

showers from time to time...

____________________________________________________

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- More rain!!!

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 08:05:26 -0400

Hi All,

Yesterday afternoon cleared up quite nicely so the summer heat returned.

There were some heavy around 00:30 this morning and there were some more 
showers again this morning ~7AM. It is overcast with patches of blue. 

Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- Rain this morning...

From: <scholla AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 14:22:39 -0400

Hi, 

This morning we awoke to some welcome rain. This summer has been a bit
of a scorcher and with it being so dry, there is considerable dust 
aggravating sinuses etc. There was just a heavy shower in the southern  
hills. However, there are patches of blue sky popping through. 


Alan B. Scholl B.Sc.
scholla AT candw.ag  schollab AT hotmail.com  
http://www.digitalphoto.ag

- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 15:36:15 +0000

The weather yesterday was dynamic, you can see right through the top in to space, the sky was a deep indigo with a few small clouds, it was just perfect, but that type of weather was usually followed by rain as I can fore-see in the Satellite Pic. .

This hurricane season seems to follow a pattern comparable to a few of the preceding years, the only difference is that this pattern evolve more slowly and start later than usual.

The Pattern is; An early storm in the Atlantic followed by a long Period of calmness, then a rather short period of activities in the Gulf of Mexico, then a short pause and then the Tropical Atlantic became relatively active. The activities switch to the Central/Western Caribbean Sea or back to the Gulf of Mexico during the latter part of the season and was followed by a storm or two in the Subtropical Atlantic.

Though I can be wrong, this seems to be the pattern this year. Other years following this pattern is 1998, 1999 and 2000.

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- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 01:12:40 +0000

Poor Tropical Atlantic... All the system that develops so far seems to stick to to the US coast, very unusual for this time of the year, just hope it will stay the same through-out the season. Subsidence seems to be relatively active this year.

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- STILL FLAT CALM

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 2002 06:27:12 -0400

WHAT INCREDIBLE WEATHER.STILL FLAT CALM.SUNNY.HOT.

- SUMMER WEATHER

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 13:35:00 -0500

Title:

FLAT CALM SEAS TODAY around our paradise...and still still skies.... this is REAL SUMMER WEATHER... great for boating and as this is our long carnival weekend that is welcome by many of us who will take to the water for the weekend... Our met office says NOTHING on the horizon so we know it is NOT THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM, thank goodness !!

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 06:47:24 -0400

absolute flat calm-first in months.beautiful.

- blue horizons

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2002 18:27:49 -0400

a fella could start at the yucutan and travel east to sierra leone and never see a cloud!

where did they all go?

- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 15:18:37 +0000

Surface pressure are currently too high for any development at this time.

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- Blinding,Deafening...Soaking Wet!

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 19:43:47 +0000

Ok, so it was Carnival Opening yesterday in Antigua, but the lightning is giving the firework display a good compitition and the rain as well and of course the lightning won.....by far with its deafening roar and blinding flashes reaching its peak at 2:45AM. Well...., I am suprise that the windows didn't break or at least crack, it "was" powerful. But everything seems to be back to normal now...um....at least in the near future.

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- RAINDROPS FALLING ......

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 06:54:31 -0500

Title:

RAINY RAINY NIGHT in "paradise"... have not cked my rain gauge but it sure was was allot...along with lots of thunder and lightening thru the night! The rain is always a welcome site to fill up our water cisterns.....The satellite pic shows all the clouds over the Leewards so we maybe we will get more although it is a sunny Sunday morning....

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 07:29:40 -0400

blinding lightning and deafening thunder until 5 am.

nearly 2 inches of rain.

beautiful clear morning and a gentle breeze.

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 20:01:19 -0400

just had a swim with she-who-must-be-obeyed.ocean still relatively cool.

some lightning to the east as i write.blustery.

boys in the backroom sleeping with the dogs.all mutts.

- Update

From: "Charles Fernandez" <fernandezc AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 14:05:07 -0300

We are approaching drought status here in Antigua. There may be some water rationing in store for us, if we don't get some heavy showers soon.

CHF

PS: The "boys in the back room" will have to settle for cowboy baths!

- Climatic Condition (Tropical Atlantic)

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 15:18:27 +0000

UPPER WINDS ARE EASTERLY ACROSS THE MAJORITY OF THE TROPICAL
ATLC WHICH ARE FAVORABLE FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT.
HOWEVER A LARGE AREA OF MODERATE/STRONG SUBSIDENCE FROM 10N-20N
BETWEEN 40W-60W IS IN PLACE...YIELDING A NET RESULT OF GENERALLY
UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR TROPICAL GENESIS IN THE WESTERN
TROPICAL ATLC.

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 22:20:40 -0400

Finally, the Weather Center’s regular weekly tropical weather outlook for the E Caribbean. Although there has been some weakening in atmospheric pressures over Africa and in the tropical Atlantic, rainfall still seems to be below normal in the Sahel region of Africa. SST’s in the tropical Atlantic are still below normal but the ITCZ has moved further N to near 10N. The upper level jet stream no longer protects the E Caribbean by inhibiting the development of tropical waves. AS A RESULT, CONDITIONS IN THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC HAVE BECOME A LITTLE MORE FAVOURABLE FOR TROPICAL STORM DEVELOPMENT AND WE COULD SEE A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IN THE E CARIBBEAN THIS WEEKEND.

from caribwx

boys in the backroom getting restless

- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 23:12:24 +0000

We got a lot of rain today and some gusty winds,......but thats all.

Something that look big for once is moving off the African coast, though I bet u it'll dissipate as soon as it clear the coast.

Otherwise, have a nice day.

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- WONDERFUL RAINY DAY

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 15:34:28 -0500

RAINY DAY in paradise....wonderful for the garden and a good bath for the birds...a bit gusty on the east coast of Antigua...but sure a welcome relief of being a slow start to hurricane watching...lets hope the season stays that way; rain only.

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 19:47:47 -0400

small earthquake yesterday.all else quiet on the eastern front.

- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 19:00:58 +0000

The rain that we wanted finally came this morning accompanied by thunder and gusty winds.

Right now( 2:52p.m. Local Time) in Antigua, the sky was broken overcast, no rain and hot. We expect a little more rain as the convection to the south-west swells northwards.

Nice to hear from u guys on the other islands.

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 10:12:04 -0400

that last system passing through was gelded.

all bluster--no bite.

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 16:54:02 -0400

if we don't get a good soaking from what is just east of us we'll never get it.

it even has spiral bands coming off it!

need the water-boys in the back smell funky.

- WISH OF THE DAY......

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 15:49:09 +0000

Well ,I just wish that convective activity associated with the Tropical Wave would just move a little bit more north so we can get a share of the rain.....We really need it!!

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 06:23:32 -0400

TROPICAL WAVE WAS ALONG 56W NOW ALONG 57W/58W SOUTH OF 22N
MOVING WEST 10-15 KT...APPROACHING THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS.
ISOLATED MODERATE THUNDERSTORMS...WITH SOME CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY
DISSIPATING DURING LAST SIX HOURS...FROM 13N TO 16N BETWEEN
58W AND 60W...FROM BARBADOS/SAINT VINCENT TO GUADELOUPE.
need the rain

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2002 22:14:39 -0400

TROPICAL WAVE PREVIOUSLY ALONG 55W/56W IS NOW ALONG 56W SOUTH OF
22N MOVING WEST 10-15 KT. IT IS APPROACHING THE ISLANDS WITH
SOME ISOLATED MODERATE JUST E OF BARBADOS.
looks pretty.

- TORTOLA'S ALLEGED MERMAID

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 19:43:46 -0400

tortola's messages always come from this mermaid--so during one of the rare moments when the boys in the backroom were lucid i told them about this mermaid in tortola. who told me to do that?!?

they are now demanding proof and refuse to allow any further messages from me unless we get a PHOTO!

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 22:40:59 -0400

first handsome system to come off africa for the year.

boys in the backroom sending a fax to the G8 complaining about tariffs on the import of their homemade rum into u.s.a. and eur! may have to consume all locally.

- HOT HOT HOT

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 08:51:49 -0400

It is sooo hot down in the islands these last days... lots of people are complaining! and June is not even over..... don't like it when our weather is like that this early in the summer...cause hurricanes LIKE HOT WEATHER! But guess the tourists like it; it is super beach weather... have had some nice showers of rain, always welcome on our dry island. Hope we don't have to chat with you on any serious weather AT ALL THIS SEASON!

- Update

From: "Allan D.." <dragon_ab AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 04:56:17 +0000

Stormy weather prevailed for the past 24-36 hours, which I most appreciated after the ages of drought we had.

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- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 19:34:01 -0400

first thunder and lightning and heavy rain for nearly a year.wonderful!

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 06:40:54 -0400

nice and stormy for a change

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2002 18:53:24 -0400

hazy, hot with gentle south-east breeze---sahara dust sprinkling.century plants blossoming and king fish biting.

- 2002 HURRICANE SEASON HERE AGAIN!

From: "MARTHA WATKINS GILKES" <gilkesm AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 14:47:48 -0400

HI GUYS AND GALS......... It is that time of year again!!! START OF HURRICANE SEASON 2002....I know there are a lot of you out there who appreciate being kept informed on what is going on when things heat up down here.. ....Lets hope it is not as active a season as they are predicting........sure has been nice to be spared on Antigua, at least, for the past 2 seasons.......

But according to the "experts" we should be expecting a good bit of activity. Just returned home from St Croix working on a magazine feature on THE HURRICANE HUNTERS as they opened thier "mission control" base on St. Croix . Was given a tour of the C130 J model... thier newest super duper aircraft. As opposed to a cable aircraft (the present H model) the J is completly computer controlled. It has not actually been cleared to fly in hurricane conditions yet and more tests will be done this storm season to confirm all the gliches are out before it actually flies in a hurricane. Pictured is the aircraft in the background (The Captain happened to be standing over head on the wing! ) Also pictured inside the aircraft, is me holding a drop sonde. This is the instrument which is dropped through the tube shown to measure all of the atmospheric conditions to determine the speed/ direction/ strength of a hurricane. The data is sent to the Miami Hurricane Center in Floida and this is where all the data is analyzed to give our warning/ watches, etc. So it sure makes one feel better protected with advanced accurate info gathered. So as the old Caribbean saying goes JUNE TOO SOON, JULY NEARBY, SEPTEMBER REMEMBER, OCTOBER ALL OVER.... except these last few years the season has gone on LATER.... Main thing is to BE PREPARED! Until later..............

martha and C103 J.jpg
MARTHA AND DROP SONDE INSTRUMENT.jpg

- Update

From: "John Fuller" <fullerj AT candw.ag>
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 18:53:52 -0400

MAY AND JUNE---WINDY,HAZY,DRY AND HOT.
WONDERFUL FOR TOURISTS BUT BORING FOR US.
WASSUP?