- Updates from the Islands -

- - Jamaica - -

| home | tools | pleas for help | QHWRN | guide | climatology | archive

For the most recent reports from Jamaica see this page.

- - - 2006 Hurricane Season - - -

- Morning clouds
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:53:44 -0800 (PST)
Today was a warm  and for the most part sunny day.The
morning started out with some gray Altocumulus
clouds,which is a cloud type I have not seen for some
time.

The clouds brought a eerie,dark look to the morning.It
is usually white or gray, and often occurs in sheets
or patches with wavy, rounded masses or rolls.

Altocumulus often are seen preceding a cold front, and
their presence on a warm, humid, summer morning
frequently signals the development of thunderstorms
later in the day.Which did not happen .As the day
progressed they broke up and allowed some sun.

Outside Mobay
On the radar I am only seeing some spotty showers over
the mountainous interior so the remainder of Jamaica
was sunny.

Across the region 
a strong cold front moved through the Northern Bahamas
today.Freeport reported heavy rain and 24kt
winds(27mph) .

The temperature at my location (about 12 km east of
Montego Bay)got up to 30.3 deg C(86.5 deg F) Which is
the highest temperature this week.The low fell to a
seasonal23.1 deg C(73.6 deg F)

Forecast
There is currently there is a surface trough to our nw
which will move across northern parishes tomorrow.

Monday
Partly cloudy skies (surface trough)light showers over
Western and Central parishes.

Tuesday
Partly Cloudy (cold front)showers over eastern
parishes

Wednesday
Mainly sunny chance for showers over Central parishes.

Thursday
Mainly sunny

Friday
Mainly sunny


Below
1st Typical altocumlus clouds

2nd  Doppler radar of Jamaica


3rd  48 hr surface forecast


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
It's here! Your new message!  
Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/

JPEG image

GIF image

GIF image


- nice,quiet weather .Cold Front to our NW
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:12:01 -0800 (PST)
For the last few days we have been having really quiet
weather.Cloudless skies,little if no wind.
The city (Montego Bay) is current hosting the Air
Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival,which has brought many
vistors to our city.

Forecast
Last Week I mentioned a cold front would affect us on
Saturday 27th(tommorrow).That cold Front has cleared
the Cayman Islands and is currently just northwest of
us.
It is becoming stationery and will stay to our
northwest. Saturday night the cold front will retreat
north toward the Bahamas as a warm front.

A new cold front will emerge off the Florida Coast
Sunday .This cold front will move SEward and be just
nw of Jamaica,Monday afternoon.

For the next week.for partly cloudy conditions with an
increased chance of showers Monday afternoon.


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peak at the forecast
with the Yahoo! Search weather shortcut.
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/shortcuts/#loc_weather

GIF image

JPEG image

GIF image


- Cool mornings,Pleasant days and Europe's strange winter weather
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:02:36 -0800 (PST)
 A warm welcome to our special correspondent Thea,Who
was   away for a couple weeks.Glad to have you back.

  Today was another great weather day in Montego
Bay,but like the  past couple of days the mornings 
started nippy in the low 20s(c),but by 9 a.m things
are nice and pleasant around 27c.

Our weather is currently been influenced by a high
pressure system located over the north central
Atlantic.Which will move into the Northeastern
Atlantic tomorrow.It  will be supplemented by a weaker
but broad high pressure system now over the Central
United States.It will move east,exiting the Virgina
coast Sunday, then into the Southwest Atlantic between
Bermuda and the Bahamas in the earlier  part of next
week.
This will afford us moderate easterly trades ( wind)
which will probably get stronger next week.

Further down the road (includes changes to last
monday's forecast)

Computer Forecast models are suggesting that a series
of Cold Fronts will move SEward into the Caribbean
over the next couple of weeks.

On Monday,I mentioned the first one which will affect
us next Thursday and would reach as far as Puerto Rico
in that weekend,The forecast models are NOW saying the
cold front will enter the NW Caribbean on Friday and
stall over Jamaica Next Saturday,So It seems us in the
Western and Central Caribbean will be the only ones
getting a taste of winter.We are expecting from this
cold front  light - moderate showers,strong northerly
winds and cooler temperature Ill giving more info next
week .

The second expected to be arriving a two weeks from
today.

So for the next six days look for partly cloudy
conditions with a 20% chance of scattered showers
mainly early morning and in the afternoons.

Huricane Like storm Grips Europe. source jeff masters
blog

Europe's strange winter weather continues to generate
headlines, as a powerful low pressure system brought
hurricane-force wind gusts to England, Germany, the
Czech Republic, and many other European countries on
Thursday. The powerful extratropical cyclone, now
centered over western Russia, has a central pressure
of 960 mb--the kind of pressures commonly seen in
Category 1 and 2 hurricanes! At least 41 people have
been killed in the storm, mostly motorists in England
and Germany. The storm shut down the German train
system for the first time in history. The last winter
storm with comparable winds in Europe occurred in
January 1990. The latest computer forecast models
point to the first significant snows and cold for
Europe next week, when a major low pressure system is
expected to finally tap into some cold Artic air and
pull it southwards over much of Europe.

Extraordinary warmth in Europe
The European storm was a warm and rainy one, and
record warmth continues to affect both Europe and most
of northern Asia (Figure 1). January 10, with a
temperature of 8 °C, was the warmest in the first 10
days of January in Moscow, Russia, according to the
hydro-meteorological bureau for Moscow. Record keeping
began in 1870. St. Petersburg reported their warmest
January day in 125 years of record keeping the same
day, with a temperature of 8.6 °C. Nighttime minimum
temperatures in London, England, hit 12.6 °C on
January 8, which is warmer than the average July
minimum temperature, 12° C. So far, January
temperatures in London are the warmest since record
keeping began in 1659.

Romanian snowboarders blockade weather office
The lack of snow in Romania has driven snow lovers in
that country to desperation. A group of Romanian
snowboarders blocked traffic in front of the country's
weather institute January 16, and would only budge
when weather officials would agree that their
complaints of a lack of snow "would be passed on to a
higher authority", according to Ananova.

Winter hits the U.S., China, and Bengladesh
Winter cold has hit the western U.S. hard this week,
with California suffering a devastating freeze to its
citrus crop. Heavy snow has affected central
China--the Chinese official state media Xinhua said on
January 16th that more than 1,000 houses have
collapsed and 2,424 damaged in the weather as snow
levels reached 300 millimeters in some regions.
Earlier this month, Bengladesh saw temperatures that
fell from the daily average of 18 °C to between 5 and
8 °C. The government called on affluent people to
donate warm clothes and blankets to the poor, as
doctors reported that more than 100 people had died
from the sudden cold.



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never Miss an Email
Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile.  Get started!
http://mobile.yahoo.com/services?promote=mail


- hurricanes
  • From: Thea van der Elst <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:49:09 +0000
Back in Jamaica, just missed the hurricane-like storm in Holland!
 
Thank you Sue and Blayze for your updates and useful information. I really liked that info around Xmas on some of the traditions.
 
It's been nice and cool the past days since I arrived last friday in Negril, but today it's HOT. It's nice and breezy though, so very bearable in the house.
 
Will try to send regular updates from now.
 
Belated good wishes for the year 2007 to all.
 
One Love from Negril
Thea


Call friends with PC-to-PC calling -- FREE Try it now!

- Great Weather now,Major changes late next week
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 15:53:25 -0800 (PST)
We have been experiencing Mostly Clear-Partly
conditions today in Montego Bay and generally across
Jamaica.

Yesterday we had a trace of rain which is nothing
compared to what we will experience next week
(discussed below in the forecast).

Forecast 

The great weather being experienced in the Western and
Central Caribbean are compliments of a high pressure
which extends from the Western Caribbean up to
Florida.The Florida portion will break down,the heat
dome in the Caribbean will block any Cold Fronts from
entering the Caribbean this week.So you have this week
to soak up the gorgeous weather.

Next Weeks Big Weather Changes

Next week the computer models take so far this
Winter's Strongest Cold Front into the Caribbean
Basin.It moves through the Northwest Caribbean and
reaches Jamaica (1wk)one  week from this Thursday or
ten days from today(arrives here Thursday,January
25th,)It will then move through the Central Caribbean
making it as far as Puerto Rico later that
weekend,With this being the cases expect a size-able
change  in the weather late next week much  different
than this week's weather.

FOR now
partly cloudy conditions through late next week,only a
20% chance of a shower few and far between,coming
mainly from the east.

LOWEST TEMPERATURE MONDAY...HIGHEST TEMPERATURES
PREVIOUS DAY
TEMPERATURES IN BOTH FAHRENHEIT AND CELSIUS
PRECIPITATION FOR THE PAST 6, 12 OR 24 HOURS AS
INDICATED

CITY              WEATHER        HIGH     LOW     
PCPN    TIME
                                 F/C      F/C       IN
     HR

ACAPULCO          FAIR          93 34    67 19        
      
BARBADOS          FAIR          82 28    75 24        
      
BERMUDA           FAIR          70 21    62 17        
      
BOGOTA            FAIR          66 19    50 10        
      
CURACAO           FAIR          86 30    78 25    
0.16    24
FREEPORT          PTCLDY        77 25    66 19        
      
GUADALAJARA       FAIR          80 26    48  9        
      
GUADELOUPE        FAIR          81 27    71 22    
0.22    24
HAVANA            FAIR          84 29    63 17        
      
KINGSTON          SHOWERS       94 35    77 25   
TRACE    24
MAZATLAN          FAIR          81 27    57 14        
      
MERIDA            FAIR          91 33    72 22        
      
MEXICO CITY       FAIR          75 24    46  8        
      
MONTEGO BAY       PTCLDY        86 30    76 25   
TRACE    24
MONTERREY         CLOUDY        78 26    55 13        
      
NASSAU            RAIN          80 27    71 22    
0.01    24
SAN JUAN PR       FAIR          83 28    73 23    
0.11    24
ST THOMAS         FAIR          87 31    75 24    
0.07    24
TEGUCIGALPA       FAIR          76 25    64 18        
      
TRINIDAD          FAIR          87 30    72 22   
TRACE    24
VERACRUZ          PTCLDY        85 29    73 23        
      




 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com


- Windy and rainy,Week Recap
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 19:31:40 -0800 (PST)
 Today was a windy day with quick shots of
moderate-heavy rainfall.

The winds have finally died down,winds today were
between 18mph(6a.m)-23mph(9a.m-1p.m),like yesterday we
had periods of rain.The rains were very sudden and
popped up out of nowhere,they each lasted a few
minutes then disappeared as sudden as they appeared. 

Today's Rainfall  was 0.3in/7.63mm.This total fell in
three periods just before midnight(actually
yesterday)8am and the heaviest at6p.m.

Weeks Recap

This  week could be considered balanced week we had
adequate rainfall for our crops and enough sunshine to
enjoy the beach,a walk,etc .Our weather was dominated
by a frontal through.Which brought cloudy conditions
and periods of rain this week.

Monday
Monday was sunny until 11a.m,overcat remainder of the
day.no  precipitation

Tuesday
We had sunny conditions a light shower at 10 a.m
rainfall 0.1in/2.54mm 

Wednesday
It was a sunny morning.It became overcast at
11a.m,light intermitten rain followed  until 8p.m.
rainfall 0.27/6.8mm

Thursday
Sunny after 11p.m (mentioned above)
rain:(0.19in/4.8mm)

Friday
Sunny and windy 

RAIN
This weeks total=0.56inch/14.2mm

We had 4 rainy days this week

On average January has 9 rainy days

So far this month we have had 5days  of precipition

Total rainfall amount this month so far
0.66inch/16.77mm.

Average rainfall for month of January is 85mm/3.34in

below Doppler radar

all times in est(eastern standard time)
posted 10:30p.m


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
TV dinner still cooling? 
Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.
http://tv.yahoo.com/

GIF image


- Partly Cloudy,intermitten light showers.Jamaican Forecast
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:46:53 -0800 (PST)
Today was a mixed day in Montego Bay.Today was for the
most part partly cloudy,but we did have intermittent
light   rain showers which started at 10 a.m this
morning and continued for about fifteen minutes,for
the entire event the sun was shinning brightly.

Fair weather continued until 2p.m,when we again had
light showers which persisted  on and off up to
3p.m.Today's winds have been moderate,the average wind
speed for January(period 18years)is 13mph.Today we had
easterly winds which for most of today was
19mph...31km/h...17kts.

Forecast
The majority of Jamaica had partly cloudy conditions 
today,as we have a high pressure system over the
Atlantic just east of Bermuda,It going to move a
little further east ,It will weaken slightly over the
weekend but it elongate all the way from the Southern
USA through the Central Atlantic into Europe.

This will maintain our stronger than normal easterly
trades up are small craft advisories into the weekend
and beyond into next week.At the same time a heat dome
into the  Central  Gulf of Mexico provide us with dry
northerly winds aloft and that going to keep the
chances of showers down.The our forecast calls for
partly cloudy conditions for the next week along with
a 20% chance of a widely scattered shower mainly
during the afternoon.

High each day 30-31c/86-88f lows...24c/75F.
Small Craft Advisories through to Tuesday winds:20-25kts


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. 
Try the free Yahoo! Mail Beta.
http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/features_spam.html

JPEG image


- British Virgin Islands implements visa requirements for Jamaicans,petition to save Cockpit Country
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 15:33:09 -0800 (PST)
  Effective April 1 Jamaicans will need a visa to
enter the British Virgin Islands.

Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith who made the
announcement said while some Jamaicans were making
positive contributions to the BVI there were others
who have committed most of the immigration offences
from 2002-2006.

He said these offences include overstaying and working
illegally and that over the years the situation has
increased.

Dr. Smith says he has been inundated with calls about
the need to take action and as a result all Jamaicans
entering the British territory will need to be in
possession of a visa.

The BVI joins a number of other countries in the
region that have instituted similar requirements for
Jamaicans.

The list of countries include the Cayman Islands,
Anguilla and St. Maarten.

below  is a petition forwarded by a reader I belive
all my readers should take a look at it and sign the
petition



Cockpit Country is a mountainous, forested area of
western Jamaica, rich in biodiversity and home to the
Leeward Maroons of Jamaica.  Its landscape of
steep-sided hills and deep, round valleys eroded from
the limestone bedrock is an outstanding example of
karst topography.  The wet limestone forest of Cockpit
Country is Jamaica?s largest remaining primary forest
and a refuge for rare Jamaican animals such as the
Black-billed parrot and the Giant Swallow-tail
butterfly, and more than 60 endemic plants.  While the
Land of Look Behind is famous in Jamaican history,
each scientific expedition reveals more natural
wonders of this ?biodiversity hotspot? and secrets of
its Taino and Maroon heritage.  A renewed interest in
prospecting for bauxite and limestone in the Cockpit
Country has sparked a campaign led by a wide
cross-section of local and overseas Jamaicans ? the
Cockpit Country Stakeholders? Group ? to protect this
unique area.  Mining in Cockpit Country would destroy
the natural, cultural and archaeological resources of
Cockpit Country that are virtually untapped as a
source of sustainable livelihoods, especially eco- and
heritage tourism, for many rural communities of
Jamaica.

oringinal message

Hi, All

If you would like to help circulate the Save Cockpit
Country Petition, here is a brief note you can send to
your contacts.  Just copy and paste it.  Also, if you
bookmark the Petition link you can revisit it and read
some wonderful comments.  It?s up to 169 signatures
already, in just a couple days!

-- Wendy

 

 

The PETITION to Save Cockpit Country is now online at:

 
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/848967167
.
    It takes just a few seconds to sign it!   Read the
comments, add your voice.

 

1. We call on the Prime Minister of Jamaica to ensure
that the Cockpit Country and environs, as described by
the Cockpit Country Stakeholders? Group, is declared
CLOSED to mining and commercial prospecting. 

2. We urge the Government of Jamaica to take steps to
declare the Cockpit Country a Protected National Area
as a matter of priority, as stipulated in the 1997
Policy for a National System of Protected Areas in
Jamaica . 

3. As organisations and individuals interested in the
conservation of Jamaica ?s unique natural and cultural
heritage, we wish to see the Cockpit Country protected
and managed as a World Heritage Site.

 

 

Northern Jamaica Conservation Association

PO Box 212, Runaway Bay , St. Ann JAMAICA, W.I.

Tel / fax: 876-973-4305

E-mail:  NJCA at cwjamaica.com






 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Cheap talk?
Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.
http://voice.yahoo.com


- wet & windy
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 18:25:58 -0500
Cold, wet & windy has been the order for most of the day in Ocho Rios. Right now, the wind and rain are so strong they are blowing in the shutters. Well, no need to clean the floor, it will take care of itself. Of course, that is if I can keep the dogs from investigating and tracking dog prints throughout the house.
 
A large truck just made a delivery and ran over the water line and burst it - so no water in the pipe, but plenty coming in through the closed shutters. It is definitely a 2 blanket night and long sleeves, no tank top and shorts at the moment. Soon we'll be looking out to see if snow is falling.
 
I had a very pleasant surprise the other day, a gentleman presented himself in my office and introduced himself by handing me a monetary note from Saudi Arabia. It took me just a likkle minute to twig and then the light-bulb went on in the brain - we have a reader who has ties to Jamaica and is currently living in Saudi Arabia. What a lovely surprise to meet up and to know that he and his wife will soon be returning to the fair shores of Jamaica.
 
It is the pleasant surprises like these that really make your day and firmly implant a smile. Thank you so much for the visit.
 
Tis so chilly at the moment, the lizards are barely peeping out from behind the calendar, I t'ink I have an entire family back there at the moment. I have the new calendar to put up, but don't want to scare them off. Haven't seen any land crabs for a while, but this rain will certainly drive them out of their holes and they will make a bee line for the front door - free rent & board
 
It looks like we have a system moving across the island, so it is time to drag out the brolly and dodge the raindrops while driving - only 3 more days to go!!!!
 
Try to stay dry and use this wonderful weather to snuggle under the blankies, something we don't get to do often, but love it when it happens
 
Sue M

- "as changeable as the weather".Cloudless this morning,overcast in just minutes
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 11:22:04 -0800 (PST)
  This morning as I looked outside it was
cloudless,Bright and Sunny.I went inside and about 10
minutes later the sun was completely obscured,not even
gaps of blue can be seen.

Last Night,was cloudless,lack of  clouds,lack of
insulation result cold night .Last nights low 
was...21.9C/71.F 
 
Clouds
There are only a few clouds at 2200 ft  / 670 m,but
Mostly Cloudy   3000 ft  / 914 m .

The satellite photograph(below) shows a patchy clouds
across the island.

Doppler radar(below) indicates some light showers
across coastal sections of St.Ann and St.Mary,for  the
rest of us what you see is what you get. 

Partly-mostly cloudy conditions,a few light rain
showers few and between, mostly  along northern
coastal areas.
Today's highs...northern coastal areas 28c-29c/82-84F
             ...southern coastal  areas 31c-32c/87-89F
             ...hilly interior          26c-27c/78-80F

Tonights lows ... northern coastal areas 21-22c/69-71F
              ... southern coastal areas 20-22c/68-71F
            ...hilly interior(Mandeville)16-18c/60-64F

Winds   
      10-15kts 11-18mph

 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

GIF image

JPEG image


- Likkle Rain
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 08:08:42 -0500
Sky was dark and overcast when I woke up - rain is in the air, BUT from the looks of the maps, tis only for a short while.
 
It's okay - all my washing is done, so the sun will shine brightly today, just a few likkle showers to settle the dust from the road construction. HAH - that's another story. The road from Ochi to Port Antonio is worse than dreadful and the delays are long. It depends what time you travel the road out of Ochi heading to Port Maria as to how long it will take you. I have taken to carrying a book with me. If the dang tape player worked in my jeep, I would use my books on tape - BUT, can't have everyt'ing.
Five more days and this jeep goes to pasture, just as well because I t'ink it is only the paint holding it all together - the rust has taken over - joys of living beside the sea. I close the doors carefully now when I get out - just in case.
 
My goal for 2007 was to learn Spanish seriously - so each night I do my lessons. Hubby got me one of the audio/visual courses and I am moving right along. The dogs are not quite sure what is happening - strange sounds coming out of their mumma. I have a Spanish neighbour down the road, so soon, I will visit and have him help me with pronunciation - that is, after he picks himself up off the floor and grabs for his Red Stripe!!
 
Not telling my kids about this, it will be a surprise, I have one who speaks Spanish somewhat, so we will see if we can understand each other.
 
Cricket World Cup 2007 is coming to Jamaica in 60+ days - the opening ceremony being held in our new stadium at Trelawny - sure hope the road from the airport is in better shape by then. I am sure the work will become 24 hrs per day soon to get ready.
 
Rain is falling at the moment and I can hear the wind, so this will pass quickly and the sun will peep out. Hope so - cause the w/shield wiper business is really getting on my nerves. FIVE days and counting!!!!!!
 
Thoughts and prayers have to go out to the folks on Montserrat - hope all will stay safe during the explosions
on the mountain. Life can turn itself around in a very short moment.
 
Sue M

- WEEKS RECAP
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 21:19:42 -0800 (PST)
Today was  a pleasant day.Sunny and a nice cool
east-eastnortheasterly breeze to cooldown the  land.

Yesterday was very hot temperature wize,At my location
the high was 31.1c,even more amazing was the airports
high 34c/92f.The average high 27.9/82.2f.

The relative humidity was very low by tropical
standards 38% after 1pm,which was good when the
humidity is that low it actually feels cooler. 

Starting this week I will try to recap the week's
weather.

The majority of this week was under the dominant of a
high pressure system,easterly flow,easterly
winds,Which provided at times strong  winds.

This Week's Rainfall
 Montego Bay had scattered showers early morning on
Wednesday.

I recorded 2.54mm/0.1 inch at home(Ironshore).The
airport recorded only a trace.
 
Mean Number of Rain Days  in January is 9,rain days so
far at my location 1

This weeks  temps
This week was a bit warmer than average.The average
high for January is 27.9c/82.2f (30 year
period1951-1980).Everyday this week was above that
29-30c,and 31-32c .





__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- morning, morning, morning
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 08:00:16 -0500
Good Morning all on a most beautiful Friday morning.
 
It is the end of the week, the sun is coming up and the sea has just a few ripples.
 
Woohoo, the lizard just came flying out form behind last years calendar which is still on the wall and grabbed his breakfast. He is stuck on the wall licking his lips watching me. Where is the dang camera when you need it!!!
I t'ink he is telling me it is time to put up the new calendar. This weekend is the time to get all those t'ings done, play catch up on what has been neglected over the last month.
 
The weather has been fantastic, wonderful days and evenings and just a few rain showers in the night. Perfect sleeping weather with a light blanket on the bed. the craziness of the holidays is starting to settle - i t'ink everyone has spent up their Christmas money and wont get their pay until the end of the month.
 
I drove past the clock last night on my way home - this is usually a hustling, bustling area on a Thursday night, the higglers displaying their wares and the jerk pans set up all over the place - very quiet last night, which means "da money done " It was an evening for strolling and many visitors were out of their hotel rooms enjoying the town. I had stopped in one of the local watering holes for the Thursday nite bash with out usual group and it was great to see so many out enjoying themselves.
 
This weather this weekend is supposed to be more of what we have been having the past few days - i am taking the whole weekend OFF, including turning off cell phone and stuffing it in a corner somewhere. Not even looking at the puter. Aaaah - bliss outside the electronic age. The last of the major winter "spring" clean will take place and all I have to worry about is sneaking hubby's non fitting clothes out the door before he sees them!!!!!!! There is NO way he is ever going to fit back into any of them - no matter how hard he tries to convince himself.
 
Well, the lizard has finally digested his breakfast and gone back to snooze behind his calendar. Time to hang out the wash and head to work to enjoy the day and look forward to the weekend.
 
Enjoy the first weekend in "007"
 
Sue m
 

- Brief early morning shower.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 06:35:24 -0800 (PST)
  We picked up some brief  the early morning
hours(2.54mm/0.1 inch),but things cleared up fine
providing a wonderful morning.



currently (10:30 am est)
Temperature 26.9 deg C/80.2 deg F (trend rising) 
Humdity 67%(trend falling)
pressure 1019mb (rising)
Winds  east 13mph (11kts)

Todays Caribbean Forecast

More coastal precipitation is anticipated across the
eastern coast of Central America on Wednesday as
strong easterly trade winds blow moist air into the
land. In the Gulf of Mexico, the winds will not be as
steady, but a weak low pressure system is expected to
develop off the southern Texas coast, bringing squally
conditions to the waters of the western Gulf and rain
to Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Jamaica Forecast

Mainly fair and windy,becoming partly cloudy during
the afternoon with showers across north-western and
central areas.
 Below the blob which gave the early morning showers
moving west away from the island

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image


- January 1st
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2007 16:30:35 -0500
What a fabulous day it has been in Ochi for the beginning of the new year, sun, blue skies, some white caps and a stiff breeze at times.
 
I took the day off today - the first in way too many weeks, but figured it was my turn. We went flying over the bay towards Oracabessa, the colours in the ocean were magnificent, sting-rays were having a great time and plenty people on the beaches - recovering I think from last night.
 
the past 3 weeks have been so busy that there hasn't been much time to think, let alone sleep - the craziness is now gone for another year and next week will be business as usual.
 
Of course, 2007 has to belong to Jamaica - we have "007" as the last 4 digits. I am sure the Bond movies will be in abundance for the next 12 months.
 
For all around the world and to Thea in Holland - Happy New Year and may it be peaceful, prosperous and may all your dreams come true
 
Sue M

- Happy New Year's everyone,Caribbean forecast
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2007 13:13:18 -0800 (PST)
I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous
2007.I know there willbe alot of events across the
Caribbean today so heres the forecast.

Caribbean Forecast
Minimal shower and thunderstorm development is
expected throughout the Caribbean Sea Monday. The
strongest storms that will develop in the sea will pop
up near the Central American coast from Nicaragua
through Panama.

Weak storms will also develop just south of Cuba,
Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

Perhaps the biggest story in the region will be a
strong cold front that will continue sweeping through
the Gulf of Mexico. This feature will focus showers
and thunderstorms along its main boundary. This will
likely be through the central portion of the Gulf and
extending towards the Florida Panhandle. The Bay of
Campeche will also see considerable showers and
thunderstorms throughout the day due to this strong
cold front.

Moderate tradewinds are anticipated in the heart in
the Caribbean Sea, while weaker winds are expected in
the northwest portion of the sea.



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- 2007
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 09:37:24 -0500
 

 
dawn is the beginning -
                 may 2007 be the NEW beginning
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
with love
Sue & John
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

- Sunny and windy.Great weather to start 2007
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:39:20 -0800 (PST)
A High pressure ridge is across the Central Caribbean(1019mb at10a.m),which throughout today has been affording us brilliant sunshine and some strong winds.

For much of today winds were from the  e/ene between 17-25mph.These winds were great in making the day, cool and pleasant,but the winds were also a nuisance.Doors slamming the winds blowing all the leaves, making sweeping the yard difficult.At this time the winds have calmed down,but this is only temporary.Tommorrow will be even more windier,and sunny conditions will persist for at least the next 5 days.

FORECAST
Sunday, Dec 31

Partly Sunny
Partly sunny. Winds from the ENE at 28 km/h/18 mph.GUSTS UP TO37MPH
Realfeel®: 30 °C
High: 30 °C
Sunday Night, Dec 31

Partly Cloudy
Partly cloudy. Winds from the ENE at 14 km/h./ 9 mph.
Realfeel®: 26 °C
Low: 25 °C
Monday, Jan 1

Intermittent Clouds
Times of clouds and sun. Winds from the ENE at 25 km/h/16 mph.
Realfeel®: 30 °C
High: 30 °C
Monday Night, Jan 1

Intermittent Clouds
Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Winds from the ENE at 11 km/h./ 7 mph.
Realfeel®: 27 °C
Low: 24 °C
Tuesday, Jan 2

Intermittent Clouds
Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Winds from the ENE at 27 km/h./17 mph
Realfeel®: 31 °C
High: 30 °C

Intermittent Clouds
Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Winds from the ENE at 16 km/h./10 mph
Realfeel®: 26 °C
Low: 24 °C
Wednesday, Jan 3

Intermittent Clouds
Periods of clouds and sunshine. Winds from the ENE at 28 km/h./18 mph.
Realfeel®: 31 °C
High: 29 °C

Intermittent Clouds
Partly cloudy, warm and humid. Winds from the ENE at 17 km/h./ 11 mph.

source accuweather
<script 
src="http://netwx.accuweather.com/netweatherV2.asp?lang=eng&zipcode=CAC|JM|JM010|MONTEGO
BAY|&size=1&theme=1&metric=1"></script><br /><span
style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><a
href="http://wwwa.accuweather.com/adcbin/public/index.asp?partner=netWeather">Weather
Forecasts</a> | <a
href="http://wwwa.accuweather.com/maps-satellite.asp?partner=netWeather">Weather
Maps</a> | <a
href="http://wwwa.accuweather.com/index-radar.asp?partner=netWeather">Weather
Radar</a></span>






__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

JPEG image


- Saddam Hussein has just been hanged
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:16:45 -0800 (PST)
Saddam Hussein has just been hanged.souce reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi television
station Al Hurra said Saddam Hussein had been executed
by hanging shortly before 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Saturday.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- Saddam Hussein to be hanged in 55minutes.Great sunshiny weather in Jamaica
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 18:05:59 -0800 (PST)
We are currently experiencing great weather here in
Montego Bay.Mostly Clear skies,winds east throughout
today ranging from 7-20mph.This was not so earlier
this week.

A stationary front brought intermitten rain on
Wednesday.It was not alot though we picked up
5.08mm/0.2inch.The cooling showers made the air
fresher and kept things cooler.

Breaking News
 Its now 9pm est,It is now a hour before Saddam  is
excuted. source fox news 


BAGHDAD, Iraq ? Saddam Hussein's date with death
appears to be just hours away. The former president of
Iraq will be hanged "within a matter of hours," a Bush
administration official told FOX News on Friday.

"The final meetings have taken places," the official
said, adding in Iraqis have requested Sddam be turned
over to them. "The process is now in the final stage."

Earlier, the Associated Press reported via a top Iraqi
official that Saddam would be hanged before 10 p.m. ET
Friday night (6 a.m. Saturday in Baghdad).

The official witnesses to the impending execution
gathered Friday in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone in
final preparation for his hanging, and state
television broadcast footage of his regime's
atrocities.

Saddam's chief lawyer said the U.S. had turned over
custody of the mass murderer to Iraqi officials, one
of the last steps necessary before the execution. An
Iraqi parliamentarian, Methal Al Aloser, backed up the
lawyer's claims. Al Aloser said not only had Saddam
been handed over, but all papers and documents were
finalized and the execution will be soon.

But Bush administration sources, apprised of Al
Aloser's remarks, reaffirmed that Saddam Hussein
remains in U.S. custody.

Two State Department officials also told FOX News
Saddam was still being held by Americans. "We are
absolutely certain he has not been handed over," one
official said. The official said the handover might
not happen for a few more hours ? or possibly even for
a few more days.

"There is no reason for delays," said Munir Haddad, an
Iraqi judge on the appeals court that reviewed
Saddam's case. He also said the execution will occur
by Saturday.

An unnamed Iraqi government official in Baghdad told
the Associated Press that Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki had signed the Butcher of Baghdad's death
warrant.

Al-Maliki said "our respect for human rights requires
us to execute him, and there will be no review or
delay in carrying out the sentence."

Meanwhile, Saddam's attorneys asked a U.S. judge to
block his transfer to the custody of Iraqi officials
poised to carry out his execution.

Hussein's lawyers asked for an emergency restraining
order aimed at stopping the U.S. government from
relinquishing custody of the condemned former Iraqi
leader to Iraqi officials, a spokeswoman for a federal
court in Washington D.C. said.

A similar request by the former chief justice of the
Revolutionary Court, Awad Hamed al-Bandar, was denied
Thursday and is under appeal. Al-Bandar also faces
execution. The Justice Department argued in that case
that U.S. courts have no jurisdiction to interfere
with the judicial process of another country.

A U.S. source in Baghdad said Al-Maliki wanted to
carry out the execution as early as Thursday night,
but that it was delayed for logistical reasons, and
because of confusion over the Iraqi constitution and
the law that governs the tribunal that convicted him
of murder.

The Iraqi prime minister said those who oppose the
execution of Saddam were insulting the honor of his
victims. His office said he made the remarks in a
meeting with families of people who died during
Saddam's rule.

"Nothing and nobody can abrogate the ruling" upholding
Saddam's sentence, al-Maliki said.

Najeed al-Nauimi, a member of Saddam's defense team,
told FOX News that while sentence hasn't yet been
carried out, "we're at a stage where we're requesting
his body be handed over to his family."

Al-Nauimi also predicted Saddam will be defiant until
the end, and go the gallows "smiling, and saying
verses of the Koran."

Saddam was notified Thursday that his death sentence
had been upheld. "His reaction was 'I was expecting
that,' " al-Nauimi quoted Saddam as saying. Saddam
then met with his half brothers and said goodbye to
them.

Iraqi General Abdl Kareem Khalaf told FOX News that
emergency procedures have been implemented in the
former dictator's Salahadin province, where Saddam's
hometown of Tikrit is, as well as Diyala and Mosul
provinces, which have Sunni majorities. The emergency
measures include more Iraqi army and police forces and
more checkpoints.

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, said U.S. forces
were on high alert.

"They'll obviously take into account social dimensions
that could potentially led to an increase in violence
which certainly would include carrying out the
sentence of Saddam Hussein," Whitman said.


A video of the execution is expected to be released.

In his Friday sermon, a mosque preacher in the Shiite
holy city of Najaf called Saddam's execution "God's
gift to Iraqis."

"Oh, God, you know what Saddam has done! He killed
millions of Iraqis in prisons, in wars with
neighboring countries and he is responsible for mass
graves. Oh God, we ask you to take revenge on Saddam,"
said Sheik Sadralddin al-Qubanji, a member of the
Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq,
known as SCIRI, the dominant party in al-Maliki's
coalition.

One Bush administration official downplayed the
possibility of a "Goering scenario" occurring, a
reference to the high-ranking Nazi official Hermann
Goering, who cheated the hangman at Nuremberg by
swallowing a cyanide capsule slipped to him.
"[Saddam]'s not going to have any friends in the
room," the official said, referring to Saddam at the
moment of his execution.

Iraq's highest court on Tuesday rejected Saddam's
appeal against his conviction and death sentence for
the killing of 148 Shiites in the northern city of
Dujail in 1982. The court said the former dictator
should be hanged within 30 days.

While Saddam's death for the Dujail massacre appears
imminent, he's still facing trial for other
atrocities. Saddam faces genocide charges related to a
coordinated campaign that killed up to 100,000 Kurds,
according to Human Rights Watch. During that campaign,
Saddam used chemical weapons, which killed some 30,000
Iraqis and Iranians.

Al-Nauimi said the timing of Saddam's imminent
execution is "political revenge being carried out by
the present government," adding the trial process was
biased.

Some international legal observers and human rights
groups have called Saddam's trial unfair because of
alleged interference by the Shiite-dominated
government. There has also been internal debate among
Iraqis about legal procedures surrounding the
timeframe and whether the presidency is required to
approve the execution.

"The law does not say within 30 days, it says after
the lapse of 30 days," said Busho Ibrahim, deputy
justice minister. There was no immediate explanation
for the conflicting claims.

  


   








__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- AH HAH
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:30:19 -0500
Well December is almost at an end, and hopefully so are the December rains, although they held off over the holiday weekend.
this morning the heavens opened up just as I was about to head out the door for work - well, you all know the story of the wretched wind-shield wiper motor!!!!
BUT, never fear, new jeep is on the horizon - in about 2 weeks, then it can rain all it wants. We'll probably have the biggest drought in all history
 
The sun came out about noon and we ended up with a beautiful day. the temps are fantastic and the nights are great for sleeping. Just the likkle no seeums that nibble on your ankles, but we have this wonderful overproof rum in Jamaica, and all you have to do is wipe it over the bare skin and the suckers take off - even they can't stand the smell of it. It is some serious rum, many drink it with milk, that's to protect the stomach lining as the rum will rip it right off. There will be many cases consumed on Sunday night to welcome in the New Year.
 
Hard to believe that 007 is right around the corner, of course you know Jamaica is going to market that to the max - we are home to "007"
It just seems like a few weeks ago we were all anticipating the major electronic crash that was predicted for the millennium. I celebrated that in Bonny Scotland, what a fantastic time, the rock band wearing kilts, belting out the hits slugging away on the best whiskey in the world.
Of course it sure helps when the younger sis owns the hotel in Scotland
 
The crickets are cheeping away outside, the dogs which are usually comatose are busy getting their exercise every time a jet-ski goes flying past the house, lizard is peeping out from behind the calendar, some form of plant life has decided  it wants to grow indoors and has pushed it's way through the shutters and is now climbing the walls, and the spiders are building condominiums in the corners - what more could one ask for
 
Maybe I need some of that Overproof - OR maybe I have had too much
 
Have a wonderful evening
 
Sue M

- Very Belated
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:31:38 -0500
The very best belated Holiday greetings from Jamaica where the weather is wonderful, the temps are perfect. What more could we wish for in this wonderful season.
 
We have worked non stop over the past 6 days with very little sleep, so certainly no time for the puter. Very tired, but the events have been great, the weather has cooperated and we are getting ready for New Year
 
Enjoy the rest of 2006 - 007 is peeping around the corner
 
Sue M
 
 

- Boxing Day
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:43:43 -0800 (PST)
Christmas weather was great. It was mostly sunny until
3pm when we experienced heavy cloud cover,but there
were no complaints,It made the remainder of the day
cooler,the high was 29 C/84.2 F and the low was a cool
22.1(c)/71.1(F)

Today is a public holiday in many CommonWealth
Countries across the world including Jamaica.In
Jamaica,most poeole  dont know the holiday's meaning
or how to celebrate it.If you ask, they may say It a
day boxers fight or the day peopled open presents.

Boxing Day is so called because on this day it was the
customary for tradesmen to collect their Christmas
boxes or gifts in return for good service throughout
the year.

People would aslo "box"up excess food,gifts,clothes
etc,to the less fortunate.

The holiday may date from as early as the Middle Ages,
but the exact origin is not known. It may have begun
with the Lords and Ladies of England, who gave
Christmas boxes/gifts to their servants on December
26, or maybe by priests, who opened the church's alms
(charity boxes), and distributed the contents to the
poor and needy.

Here is the weather some Caribbean/latin american
cities experienced Cities.

CITY              WEATHER        HIGH     LOW     
PCPN    TIME
                                 F/C      F/C       IN
     HR

ACAPULCO          FAIR          88 31    64 18        
      
BARBADOS          PTCLDY        83 29    73 23        
      
BERMUDA           PTCLDY        71 22    66 19        
      
BOGOTA            MISSING       64 18    MM MM        
      
CURACAO           FAIR          88 31    77 25        
      
FREEPORT          SHOWERS       82 28    70 21    
0.19    24
GUADALAJARA       FAIR          73 23    34  1        
      
GUADELOUPE        FAIR          84 29    72 22    
0.06    24
HAVANA            RAIN          84 29    70 21        
      
KINGSTON          FAIR          88 31    79 26    
0.01    24
MAZATLAN          FAIR          79 26    48  9        
      
MERIDA            PTCLDY        81 27    59 15        
      
MEXICO CITY       FAIR          68 20    32  0        
      
MONTEGO BAY       FAIR          89 31    71 22        
      
MONTERREY         FAIR          66 19    43  6        
      
NASSAU            PTCLDY        83 29    74 24        
      
SAN JUAN PR       PTCLDY        83 28    72 22    
0.15    24
ST THOMAS         FAIR          86 30    74 23    
0.02    24
TEGUCIGALPA       DRIZZLE       82 28    64 18        
      
TRINIDAD          PTCLDY        87 30    73 23    
0.09    24
VERACRUZ          CLOUDY        79 26    67 20    
0.04    24



Below latest satellite pictures

Cold

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image


- Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Natal,
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2006 18:36:21 -0800 (PST)
   Today was a great day.At home was dry,but while I
was downtown we had a quick passing shower.
Tommorrow looks great .High Pressure Ridge across the
central caribbean has been keeping things nice and
dry.

Christmas forecast
Partly cloudy with scattered showers and isolated
thunderstorms especially across inland ares.Windy
conditions along coastal areas.
 There will be many celebrations ,barbeques and feasts
tommorrow and things look great

I would like to wish all Jamaicans at home and abroad
a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

PNG image

PNG image


- Jamaicans rush to complete Christmas shoppingJamaica's Christmas Cake
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:45:05 -0800 (PST)
 Today was a great day for the thousands of Jamaicans
completing last minute Christmas shopping.

In Montego Bay,large crowds of people streamed through
stores trying to find gifts.

We had lots of sunshine,and lots of cumulus clouds
drifting on and offshore


In the center of the town in the vicinity of the Civic
center there is a huge Christmas tree which can be
seen from all over the city.


Today's highs 29.9 deg C(85.8 deg F) humidity 84%
Today's lows 24.8 deg C(76.6 deg F) humidity 63%

Yesterday,I discussed sorrel at Christmas .Today I
will  discuss sorrel's  companion Jamaican Christmas
Cake.

Visit a Jamaican home near the holiday season and,
along with a glass of sorrel, you?ll be served
Jamaican Christmas cake. 

This delicious confection includes raisins, cinnamon,
cherries and, in some cases, prunes.

During the holiday season many Jamaicans bake
Christmas Cake.It is delicious,rich and fruity.

Below is a great recipe 

INGREDIENTS :

    * 6 ounces or 1.5 cup flour
    * 8 ounces margarine or butter
    * 8 ounces sugar
    * 4 eggs
    * 1 pound raisins
    * 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 4 ounces mixed peel
    * 4 ounces cherries
    * 1/2 pound prunes (chopped)
    * 1 cup wine/brandy
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla
    * finely grated rind of 1 lime/lemon
    * 2 tablespoons browning



METHOD:

   1. Cream butter, sugar and browning until soft and
fluffy.
   2. Sieve all dry ingredients together
   3. Beat eggs, wine/brandy together.
   4. Add egg mixture to creamed butter and sugar.
   5. Add fruits.
   6. Add flour and fold in. Do no over-beat when
mixing.
   7. Bake at 350F for 1 1/2 hours.
   8. Yield: 9' round cake.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Christmas weather looking great,Jamaica's Christmas drink Sorrel
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 22:17:37 -0800 (PST)
 For the past week we have been having great
weather.Mostly dry and Sunny.On Wednesday, a surface
trough brought us 7.6mm(0.3inches)of rain.Which the
earth quickly devoured and within 2 hours there was
almost no indication that the rain had fallen.

December is traditionally Jamaica's driest month and
this   December seems it will live up  to that title,
We may even be below normal precipitation wise.

Christmas Forecast

Christmas weather this year looks great for Jamaica
even up to the New Year.We will have no fronts for the
remainder of 2007.

A cold front will make it as far as Caymans on
Christmas Eve ,but will not impact our weather .

Look for partly cloudy skies with barely a chance of a
shower. 

Sorrel
Sorrel is Jamaica's Christmas drink,It is one of those
things distinctly Jamaican.No Jamaican Christmas is
complete without sorrel.

The sorrel plant produces in the month of December and
people can be seen selling the fruit for $120ja in
most towns .If your lucky you can get ginger included
at no extra cost .I cannot even describe to you the
taste .It is a out of body experience.It is most
commonly red,but there is also a white variety.

Below is a recipe

INGREDIENTS :

    * 1 pound sorrel
    * 2-4 oz. ginger
    * 2 quarts water
    * sugar
    * rum (optional)
    * 8-12 pimento grains

.
METHOD:

   1. Wash sorrel thoroughly, using the fingers to
lift it from the water.
   2. Put into stainless steel container.
   3. Scrape and wash ginger. Grate and Add to the
sorrel. Add pimento grains.
   4. Boil water and pour over sorrel.
   5. Allow to stand 4-6 hours. Strain.
   6. Sweeten to taste and add rum to taste.
   7. Add optional wine.
   8. Serve with ice cubes.

Below is a two pictures of sorrel

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

JPEG image


- One Love from Holland
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:09:55 +0000
Man, it's dark here!! no daylight until 9 AM today, can you believe it? It's not that cold though, much too mild for December, but in my opinion we just have to get used to the fact that the seasons have moved a few weeks up. Summer is late, fall is late, winter is late? maybe WE are late catching up with Mother Nature?

Love to read your reports and love Blayz's pictures! Some look like my own on my space! And yes, i'm looking forward to coming back in just 3 weeks.

One Love and much Light in the holiday season to you all.
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Live Search, for accurate results! http://www.live.nl


- Brollies out
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:22:40 -0500
 
Good early morning or in "Miss Mermaid's" terms - it is dark thirty, actually very dark and torrentially wet thirty.
 
Not being sure where this nasty likkle bit of weather came from, I took a peep at the weather radar - sure nuff, one miserable likkle piece of red & orange creeping over our fair parish. No wonder they call St. Ann the Garden Parish. Still, forecast is for 30% chance of scattered showers today, so let's get them outta here now.
This is a funny squall with the heavy winds coming directly out of the north as the rain is blowing in through the louvers.
Of course the wind shield wiper saga continues, so the rain needs to hurry up and get over it, as I have an early dentist appointment. What a way to begin Christmas week, but better to get it out of the way now.
 
Yesterday in Ochi was for the most part cool and overcast, the sun did peep her head out a little bit in the afternoon, not a lot of warmth to it. I was going to go out and join the masses doing the Christmas shopping t'ing, but was enjoying the day at home too much, knowing that would be the last day off for several weeks, so today is going to be mad rush to get whatever needs to be got - and whatever doesn't get got today will wait til next year.
 
Time to hail up Thea in Holland - hope the cold weather is not too hard to take, but just look at the fabulous pics Blayz has posted to remind you of the island and make you hurry & return.
 
Weather for the week is supposed to be showers each day, this is the rainy season, however showers are great as they just cool everything off and make you appreciate the beauty in the surroundings once the rain has stopped, tis great to see the water dripping off the ginger lilies and the bananas.
 
All is well
 
Sue M
 
 

- Pictures of our island paradise
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 18:56:41 -0800 (PST)
Today was another great day.Mostly clear skies,winds
10-15kts

Many Jamaicans take for granted how blessed we are to
have a country like ours filled with immense
beauty.Many people across the world have never seen
the beach,or a waterfall.Many are stuck indoors as
outside is cold and snowy.

Below are some pictures from across our island paradise.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

JPEG image

PNG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Glorious Day
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:36:22 -0500
What a fantastic morning - one couldn't ask for anything more
Sun is out, sky is blue, sea is calm, temps are just perfect - this is truly paradise
 
The small critters must be terribly confused, they are all chirping, croaking and rbitting away out there as if it was spring. I think the rain has them all confused - now it has stopped they think the next season is upon us.
 
My dogs of course are comatose on the tile floors - they have exhausted themselves already running after the noisy critters, now they must rest before once again discovering they have an appendage on their rear ends which they will have to chase until they catch it. This is an on going foolish exercise but keeps them well amused. Unfortunately, they are large dogs, so anything in the way gets knocked flying when this game gets underway.
 
Two loads of washing are on the line this morning and from the looks of it, they will be back in the house this afternoon - normalcy is returning to the household HAH!!!
 
Had to have words with the mechanic again yesterday - still no wind shield wiper motor, but also no rain at the moment, so that has been put aside. He had repaired my starter motor, now it takes about 15 tries to get the blasted thing going instead of the 3-4 that it took when I sent it in for repair. New vehicle is definitely on the horizon - the poor keep is developing too many air conditioning vents at a very fast pace. Not even the body shop will be able to salvage the good metal that is left. Life in the islands - the rust appears before your very eyes on anything that even has the word metal written on it.
Of course you know I am looking at another jeep, they are so practical with the back roads and the pot holes, the cars spend too much time in the shop getting suspension repairs done, if I left that up to my mechanic - not sure what would happen, so we won't go there.
 
Have a wonderful day - if you are not in the sunshine, just turn on all the lights and pretend
 
Sue m

- High Pressure keeping things nice and dry,Seven day forecast
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:36:07 -0800 (PST)
Great weather has been the order of this week.This
week has been so quiet,There has no precipitation or
even overcast conditions since the start of the
week,and today is no exception.

Today winds have been from the east ranging between
13-17mph.You could count on your fingers the amount of
clouds there are in the sky.The only activity I have
seen from my house on the over looking the sea are
fishermen pulling there boats out to see.

Many Montegoians have been taking advantage of the
great weather.Many are christmas "holiday" shopping.
or at the beach etc.While others are working and  and
excited about a possible Christmas bonus.

Forecast

This week our weather has been under the domination of
two High Pressure systems.One in the Sw caribbean
sea,which has and will continue to block cold fronts
from entering the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean for the
next two weeks.The other is located in the northeast
Atlantic.Which will move Se and weaken through the
next 48hrs,While a new high pressure system moves off
the Carolinas Late Saturday.

In simple terms look for Mostly sunny conditions for
the next seven days,with winds through the weekend
10-15kts (11-17mph).Waves 1-2 meters.Temperatures will
get up a high of 31 deg C/88 deg F and lows of 23 deg
c/73 deg F.

Below 
(1)latest visible satellite

(2)latest Ir satellite

posted 2:45est


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Want to start your own business?
Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Glowing
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:58:54 -0500
Dawn has broken and the sun is beautiful, sea is calm, temps are wonderful
 
WELCOME to Ocho Rios - this is what we really provide for all who wish to come visit. I just checked the 10 day forecast again and it is now talking about showers over the next 5 days. Those we can handle and it also provides income for the umbrella sellers.
Not sure what happens to all the umbrellas that one purchases- I know I had 3 of them, can't find a wretched one of them at the moment. Somewhere there is a huge pile of unclaimed brollies - probably close to the huge pile of "unable to deliver" mail - and if all is organised, they should be keeping that pile of mail dry.
 
Well, I am tempting fate today - 2 loads of washing done and on the line. Took some scrubbing to get the red dirt out of the jeans, but we are on a roll. The sun at this time of the year does not have the intense heat, so it takes a good while for anything to dry - not like in the summer months when an hour after you hang it out, tis time to bring it all back in.
 
Plenty going on this weekend - Reggae Live at the Village friday night, Uzuri's Christmas Extravaganza Fashion Show, Saturday night. This will be an event not to miss with Carl's new fashions on show.
Sunday night is the JCDC Christmas Gospel Concert. SO, there will be no rest and the staff will be tired come Monday  morning. We have ships coming in all 7 days next week, along with CVM Startime Concert Sat 23, and the Crazy Landlord play Monday (Christmas Day) evening.
Phew - no time for Christmas celebrations as we will be entertaining the masses. I think my New Year resolution will be to take the first 2 weeks of the new year OFF
 
We really have the messages going out to the rain gods to hold off on the weather - or just give us a likkle sprinkle in the mornings. We can handle that if we find the brollies. Better get all the washing sorted out now as there will be NO time after today.
 
We must all seize the moment and make the most of it
 
Sue M
 
 

- Great Weather now,
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 12:01:00 -0800 (PST)
Colorado State & TSR Release Their First 2007 Hurricane Season Forecast
To: jam at stormcarib.com
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Message-ID: <151673.981.qm at web62507.mail.re1.yahoo.com>

  Today has been a great weather day,bright sunny
skies,winds from the east at 15kts.Just a good day for
a walk ,or a day to hit one of  the cities many
beaches.

Both the Tropical Storm Risk group (TSR) and Colorado
State University's Phil Klotzbach and Bill Gray have
released their 2007 Hurricane Season Forecast.  The
bottom line from both forecasts are that it could be
an active season with the current El Nino fading away
within the next three to six months and this would put
the Atlantic in a state of neutral Nino conditions,
which would allow a better chance for an above normal
Hurricane Season. 

Below is the Tsr report link
http://tsr.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/

Colorado State forecast
ATLANTIC BASIN SEASONAL HURRICANE FORECAST FOR 2007

 

Forecast Parameter and 1950-2000

Climatology (in parentheses)

8 December 2006

 Forecast for 2007

Named Storms (NS) 

14

Named Storm Days (NSD) 

70

Hurricanes (H) (5.9)

7

Hurricane Days (HD)

35

Intense Hurricanes (IH) 

3

Intense Hurricane Days (IHD) 

8

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) 

130

Net Tropical Cyclone Activity (NTC) 

140
 Below Colorado State link


http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/Forecasts/2006/dec2006/



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited


- The three "r's"
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006 08:07:30 -0500
Rain, Rum & Rust
 
That's going to become the rule to live by over the next 10 days it seems
 
The Rain - well our wonderful 10 day forecast is telling us that rain every day at some point for the next 10 days - maybe longer than that, but can only get 10 day forecast. The pitter patter on the roof is getting louder as I type
 
The Rum - Thank you Alejandro for this wonderful suggestion, I think a combination of rums from Jamaica and Dominican Republic is an excellent idea, AND as suggested by our learned correspondent from Dominica, this will certainly keep away the flue plus we will all forget about the rain
 
The Rust - well, that is what is happening to my jeep due to all the rain. Shhhhhhh, if you are quiet and listen carefully, you will hear the poor t'ing falling apart in the driveway.
 
Note to Self - MUST replace vehicle in the New Year - poor baby has to go into retirement there is no other hope, turtle wax is all that is holding her together I am afraid, so if it rains too hard and washes off the turtle wax!!, well you can imagine the outcome
 
We had a great day yesterday, sun came out, blue skies, white puffy clouds, and this was for most of the day. Can you imagine, everyone started complaining about how hot it was!!!! What is wrong with us?
 
The Christmas season is in full swing here in Ochi - December is party month, starts on the 1st and goes through New Year, your ear drums take a beating as the sound systems appear out of nowhere and the new likkle bars pop up overnight. The curbs get a fresh coat of paint - and most often the roadways as well as the paint buckets seem to get knocked over with regular monotony. Houses get a fresh coat of paint and new curtains. T'ings got to look good for Christmas.
Lots going on and some times it is wonderful to just sneak home to your yaard and relax.
 
Sun has decided to peep her likkle head out from behind the dark clouds - time to go and get t'ings done
 
Sue m

- Jamaican cancer drug found - Scientific findings surround endemic plants
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:27:31 -0800 (PST)
Since sunday we have been having great weather .Sunny
and  windy.

Whenever there is something negative happens in
Jamaica it is broadcasted all over the place,some
extrodinary news came out of the country and I have
not heard it in the media so i,ll do my part in
contributing positive new  from our Island paradise



Jamaican cancer drug found - Scientific findings
surround endemic plants
 source the gleaner

Jamaican biochemist Dr. Henry Lowe (left) and research
partner Dr. Joseph Bryant of the University of
Maryland Institute of Human Virology (IHV), examine
transgenic mice used to test the effect of two
Jamaican plants on cancer tumours. - Contributed

Two scientists will present research findings today
showing that a pair of endemic Jamaican plants can
help cure five cancers, potentially giving the country
a lucrative share of the global chemotherapy drug
market.

Jamaican biochemist Dr. Henry Lowe discovered the
plants, while his American research partner Joseph
Bryant, laboratory animal veterinarian at the
University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology
(IHV), conducted the tests on cancer tumour cells in
test tubes and then transgenic mice - whose DNA has
been modified to incorporate human genes.

An alternative

What Dr. Lowe told The Gleaner could be a "new
Jamaican brand" could begin commercial production
within three to five years as an alternative to
existing cancer drug Taxol, but Dr. Bryant said one to
three years. Taxol had worldwide sales of US$764
million in 2005 before generic alternatives became
available this year.

"This has huge financial implications both for the
country in terms of tax revenues and foreign exchange
earnings, and for the scientific community," said Dr.
Lowe. "We also look to form an institute (from the
profits) as well as fund training and to research the
further exploitation of Jamaica's plants."

They said an international patent was submitted last
week but that they could not reveal the names of the
plants for reasons of industrial secrecy but would do
so once they identify the compounds involved and
understand how they work.

The plants were tested in a semi-purified state
individually and as a 1:4 combination with Taxol and
reportedly killed cancer cells at the same rate as the
control test of pure Taxol. Taxol can be toxic to some
patients while cancer cells can develop resistance.
However it has been determined that their drug is
non-toxic while levels of resistance will take further
study.

Their presentation will take place this morning at
Eden Gardens Wellness Centre; the business that Dr.
Lowe founded and where the offices of the
Environmental Health Foundation (EHJ), which he
chairs, are located.

He said he would be encouraging local investors and
government to become involved in a company to be
established for trial of the drug and to develop and
market the drug which would ultimately require
partnership with an international pharmaceutical
company.

He stressed that the discovery should be left to the
same fate as periwinkle which was used traditionally
to treat diabetes in Jamaica but was then exploited by
foreign pharmaceutical companies to treat leukaemia.

But with a prospective partnership with so-called 'big
pharma' their cancer drug could be produced locally,
added Dr. Bryant.

"The Caribbean islands, and particularly down to the
Amazon, the poor Third World countries; I don't want
to use the word rape, but they have not been treated
very fairly in (terms of) the taking of natural
resources out of their country. My observation is that
if this turns out to be worth anything ... it would be
great for Jamaica," he said.



Cancers tested:

B-16 melanoma, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, kaposi
sarcoma and a b-cell lymphona.

The cancers were chosen as representative of the
majority of cancers while the latter two are the two
most common affecting AIDS patients. Dr. Bryant's
research team at the University of Maryland Institute
of Human Virology (IHV) is the first in the world to
create transgenic rats whose DNA has been manipulated
to incorporate HIV-1 genes



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Have a burning question?  
Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know.


- Big Fat Raspberry
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:46:10 -0500
For those of you who are having lovely sun, calm seas and no rain - the big raspberry is coming your way.
 
The weather in Ochi is miserable - cold, wet, high surf and NO sun. I looked at the forecast for the next 10 days and it is more of the same.
Yesterday while we were having torrential rains, Montego Bay and Kingston were bright sun and hot. I am not sure what we have done on this end of the island to upset the rain gods, BUT, PLEASE, we will make amends.
 
We have a lot of events scheduled at the Village over the next 2 weeks and of course they are all outdoor events - so we really need a reprieve, plus it is awfully difficult to get in the Christmas party mood when you are slopping through puddles in your long skirts and good shoes. I am one to say - hmmm rain falling and stay home in my yard.
 
We have had a couple of bouts of heavy rain today - of course you know my sheets are STILL on the line - the ground is waterlogged so the puddles are forming quickly. Three years ago we had serious flooding in Ochi on Dec 20 and 24. Hopefully this is not a repeat of that performance. I remember it well as I was trying to make my way to the airport in Montego Bay to catch the 6 o'clock flight to Baltimore. The bus picked me up at 11:30 in the morning and at 5:30, we had reached St. Ann's Bay which is normally about a 20 minute drive. There was no turning back as the flooding was so severe. We actually reached the airport and minutes after midnight - 12.5 hours to go about 60 miles. We had a great bus driver from Tourwise whose name is Norman.
We often meet up and talk about that trip - if you are in good company, getting stuck and missing your flight just becomes another part of living in the islands.
 
Stay dry
 
Sue M

- Stationary front across the island,blustery and rainy Sunny.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 12:33:19 -0800 (PST)
    A dissapting stationary front is right across the
island.The light rain showers assiociated with the
stationary front started affecting us(in the western
parishes) at about 9 p.m last night,It was on and off
and continued until even this morning.

    The morning tricked some people,it started out
with streaks of sunlight but it was quite
overcast,then at between 1-2:30p.m.We have been having
some squally weather .Look towards my east I saw a
impresive looking line of dark cumlonibus clouds
moving ata pretty quick clip,It started to rain
heavily but the winds were worst they were gusting to
30  mph.Within 5 minutes the dark cloud,rain and wind
was gone and the sky is almost cloudy  except for a
few to my west.

 We only picked up 7.61mm(0.3inches) of rain because
the so windy aslo what  as been amazing has been the
pressure at 9am, this morning it got up to 1019mb,It
is has been falling and currently is at 1015mb .

The stationery front is dissapating as I speak so
tommorrow will be back to normal.  

Below satellite picture showing stationary front


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know.
Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

JPEG image


- Not in the Plan!!!!
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 11:07:10 -0500
Up early before the sun woke up - cool, calm and i am taking the day off.
 
hubby out of town, so got to get busy cleaning out the WAY too much stuff that has accumulated in my humble abode. Sheets off bed, washing machine doing it's t'ing, stuff flying out of closets into middle of floor - dogs hiding, not knowing what on earth is happening. It is Spring Cleaning Day in my house!!!!!
 
Lizards are scurrying out of the way and even the land crab who hasn't paid any rent yet, came zooming out of closet. By this time, sun was out - a great day in the making.
 
BOOOM - power went out for a moment, another transformer blew in the drive-way, the rumble of thunder and then the HEAVY RAIN. What is this - No dot on the radar - this is simply not in the plan. The odd piece of clothing draped around my house is one thing - BUT the king size sheets - NAH, this can't happen.
not sure what has happened with the other puter - it seems to be having an adverse reaction to the weather as well - on some serious go slow, in fact I think it is actually running in reverse. Probably the blip in the electrickery - never mind the surge protection.
 
I hear a likkle bird starting to cheep outside, that means the rain will soon end, so maybe all is not lost
 
Have a great Saturday
 
Sue M
 
 

- Is it morning?
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 08:47:09 -0500
Cool, grey skies and the smell of rain is in the air. Doesn't look like we will have much in the way of sun today.
 
The sea is quite calm compared to the past few weeks when we could have been practising for surfing competitions and giving Hawaii a run for their money.
 
This afternoon the legacy of Perry Henzell - the genius behind "The Harder They Come" will be remembered at a Thanksgiving Service at Itopia. For those who knew him or ever had the privilege of meeting him or even just seeing his films or reading his books - the loss will be felt, but the smiles and memories will continue forever. Rest in Peace My Friend
 
Forecasters in the UK are already predicting a very active 2007 hurricane season as indicated on Caribbean Net News. Lets get busy talking to the hurricane gurus - we have time.
 
Busy weekend coming up - the season is rapidly approaching, not sure where the rest of the year went, but I am sure that someone miscounted - we can't possibly be only 16 days away from Christmas. I t'ink I have to cancel it this year - No time!!
 
Sue M
 
 

- I'm baaaaack
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 22:55:56 -0500
Woo Hoo - look out world, Cable & Wortless FINALLY came and visited my yaard today after I had to give them what for this morning.
 
You really have to laugh when the phone technician calls you up to see if you are still experiencing a problem with your line. What!!! they t'ink these t'ings heal themselves!!!!
 
I had a long discussion with the phone company this morning about the errors of their ways. I had received a call Monday lunchtime from the technician who was going to come and look at the problem and was there anyone home. Nope, I tell him, no-one there. SO, we set up the time of 4pm that very same afternoon (I really think that's where the confusion set in) - I do believe that his "very same afternoon" and my "very same afternoon" are NOT one and the same t'ings - as he never bothered to show up. Nor did he bother to call me to tell me he wasn't going to bother showing up.
 
Well now, by the time this morning rolled around, I was truly totally fed up with this situation, knowing we can do better than that, and also knowing that they are not going to take any money off my next bill. So, I proceeded to call the phone company AGAIN and let them know in no uncertain terms - although being very polite - as I find that rattles them more than if you are rude - that I was no longer putting up with their foolishness and that I was going to send them a bill for the amount of my time that has been wasted trying to get the blasted phone line fixed. My phone bill is rather sizeable each month, so I simply told them that I would pay my bill, less the amount I was invoicing them for and then follow up with a letter to both newspapers - all this was going to occur if my phone line did not get fixed TODAY.
 
Well of course nothing happened - no call from the Cable & Wortless technician to tell me he was coming to fix phone. HAH - did I have to eat my words, when at 8 minutes past seven this evening my cell phone rang and it was the Cable & Wortless technician (ya gotta love it, I have a digicel phone account and that's the number they have to contact me seeing as my Cable & Wortless lines are not working).
Anyway, he was sitting in my yaard and asked if I could chain up the dogs - I was secretly tempted to let the dogs feast on his leg for dinner, but I thought, let's wait for the lines to get fixed first.
I was in shock that first of all they had come today, and secondly, at the time they came. We are really getting down to business now, phone company working throughout the evening - this has gotta be a first!!
 
I do have to admit, the 2 techs were very pleasant and very efficient. It turned out that it was not just a loose wire, but something that took over an hour to get sorted out.
 
Okay great, phone lines now fixed - however, no internet light showing on DSL box - SO, back on phone to phone company AGAIN. Because the thing had sat idle for so long, something happened to the settings in the DSL box - must be those uninvited people that sneak in your house when you are not looking and set up house in your electronics.
Anyway, after almost 20 minutes on the phone - new password in place, settings reset and back in business.
 
What a hoot, time to crack out the wine. The time I lived in the USA, we would never have accepted such performance from the phone company. Here, ya just gotta go wid de flo, and if all else fails, call the CEO of the company and bother him about it, or let him know that you will be visiting his yaard later in the day as you have to check you email.
 
My emails are still downloading, I don't even want to know how many there are, nor am I looking at them tonight. Tomorrow is another day.
 
Well now to the weather which is what we are all about - after all the rains last week, we have been having great weather here in Ochi. It has been on the cool side for us that live here, but fabulous sleeping weather at night. We have had some heavy showers each day, but only for a few minutes. Today actually got quite warm which was a pleasant change.
 
The leaves on the almond trees in front of my house are turning the beautiful red - this means fall is here. It takes about 6.3 days from the start of the almond leaves turning colour until the new leaves have sprouted and are full size. It is the most incredible thing to see. I can go to work in the morning and there is not one single leaf on the trees and by the time I get home, the trees are covered in leaves which are past the bud stage.
 
We have about a 7 day fall & winter season. My heart goes out to all the folks who are putting up with the ice and snow in the north - but I am certainly not going to visit that area at the moment.
 
More sun in the forecast for tomorrow and through the weekend Great News!!
 
Sue M

- Great weather now ,Cold Front Sunday.Malaria resurface after 50years in Kingston
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 19:26:19 -0800 (PST)

We have been having great weather in Montego Bay,Jamaica over the past week and a half .The only exception has been Tuesday,When a surface trough brought us 0.5inches of rain.Daily we have been having puffy white cumulus clouds drifting across our island paradise.
Malaria Outbreak
Malaria has resurfaced after 50 years of eradication,but the cases are very localized to Kingston 14,15,16.The problem was identified as a major drain along Marcus Garvey Drive,The government as quickly dispersed 30 million dollars to combat the malaria. It has since been treated and the situation is under control despite the  rise  from 16 confirmed cases Monday to now 45.It takes up to 10 days before people sick,but Jamaicans see it as Malaria no problem mon.How did malaria reach to resurface in Jamaica,Every Caribbean country except Hispaniola has eradicated the disease and the Health Minister said Haitians were in the affected areas,So there is a strong possibility that it was brought by Haitians.

The US CDC was quick to send out an advisory warning all American citizens visting Jamaica to take  malaria  "medication",but  the  CDC  was fair warnings in that they did not say  Jamaica ,They said sections of Kingston.
Forecast
A powerful Arctic Blast has been moving across the  Eastern United States and for many records have been and will continue to be broken.The Weather Channel says It is the coldest winter in 2 year because of this Winter Blast,Us in the Western and Central Caribbean will have our shot of this cold air this weekend.

 The computer models move the cold front through our friends in the Caymans mid-morning on Saturday and will stall over the Western tip of Jamaica Sunday morning .I am not sure if the entire island will be affect but I am keeping my fingers cross,even if the cold front does not traverse across  the island ,the front  will be close  enough to bump our rain chances up to 50% Saturday and 60% Sunday. 

below Sunday Gleaner report


Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
Title: Jamaica Gleaner News - MORE MALARIA CASES - Airports to be monitored, overseas experts coming - Sunday | December 3, 2006
Bookmark Jamaica-Gleaner.com
Go-Jamaica Gleaner Classifieds Discover Jamaica Youth Link Jamaica
Business Directory Go Shopping inns of jamaica Local Communities

Home
Lead Stories
News
Business
Sport
Commentary
Letters
Entertainment
Arts &Leisure
Outlook
In Focus
Social
International
The Star
E-Financial Gleaner
The Voice
Communities
Hospitality Jamaica
Google
Web
Jamaica- gleaner.com

Archives
1998 - Now (HTML)
1834 - Now (PDF)
Services
Find a Jamaican
Library
Live Radio
Podcasts
Weather
Subscriptions
News by E-mail
Newsletter
Print Subscriptions
Interactive
Chat
Dating & Love
Free Email
Guestbook
ScreenSavers
Submit a Letter
WebCam
Weekly Poll
About Us
Advertising
Gleaner Company
Contact Us
Other News
Stabroek News

MORE MALARIA CASES - Airports to be monitored, overseas experts coming
published: Sunday | December 3, 2006


Dalley

Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Sections of Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine have been put on an official alert following the confirmation of four more cases of malaria and 23 other suspected cases. At least two children have been hospitalised, officials say. This brings to eight the number of confirmed cases. Four others were identified in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine recently.

The areas being closely scrutinised by the Ministry of Health include all communities in Kingston 13, Kingston 12, Kingston 14 and Sydenham in St. Catherine.

Speaking with The Sunday Gleaner yesterday, Minister of Health Horace Dalley said the ministry has intensified its efforts to contain the disease following the confirmation of the new cases and further disclosure that the disease is being caused by the deadliest type of malarial parasite, the Plasmodium falciparum.

"No amount of money will be spared. No effort will be spared. We want the country to know that every single thing will be done," Mr. Dalley said.

emergency health teams deployed

All the nation's points of entry and exit, including the two main airports, have been searched thoroughly by health teams and airport officials asked to monitor people travelling from particular countries. Meanwhile, emergency meetings are to be called in some communities, such as Sydenham, and more emergency health teams are to be deployed to affected areas.

Two experts from the Pan American Health Organisation are also expected to arrive in the island to assist in control and containment of the disease. The Health Minister has also sought the help of the Ministry of National Security, Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Ken Baugh, and Kingston Mayor, Desmond McKenzie, to provide support.

It is still not clear if the disease was imported, but Mr. Dalley said investigations so far are pointing to an importation of the virus.

At least two of the persons confirmed with the disease are from Kingston 12 and 13 addresses, and are known to travel overseas frequently. The first confirmed case, a 72-year-old woman of the Maxfield Park and Delacree Park areas, was known to frequently travel to New Jersey and Los Angeles. She also visited communities in the vicinity of Spanish Town Road, Sydenham in St. Catherine, and communities in Clarendon.

The second confirmed person was also known to travel frequently to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. She is employed as a domestic helper in Sydenham.

Mr. Dalley says there were also a number of Haitians living in the Kingston 12, 13 and 14 communities. Haiti has some 10,000 people infected with malaria and is ranked 73rd on the World Health Organisation's list of most infected countries.

He says fishermen in those communities were also known to mingle with Nicaraguans and other people from Latin American countries.

Intensify investigations

"The reports have caused us to intensify our investigations and I want to call on the citizens of [affected] areas to cooperate with health teams and protect themselves," Dalley says.

The ministry has so far visited 333 communities in Kingston St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon, and have collected 148 samples from people showing symptoms of the disease over the past three days.

In a press statement yesterday, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding called for the immediate establishment of command centres for the testing of persons feeling the symptoms of malaria. Golding, who is the Member of Parliament for West Kingston, has asked the health authorities to urgently "undertake an intensive programme of vector-control spraying throughout the area".

Differential diagnoses

Meanwhile, president of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr. Alverston Bailey, is asking local doctors to take the alert seriously. He is advising them to include the disease in their differential diagnoses of all fever syndromes and to test patients who have a fever. Dr. Bailey says the disease should be diagnosed early so immediate and aggressive treatment can begin to prevent complications. He adds that doctors should report all suspicious and confirmed cases without delay to the Ministry of Health.

Malaria is an infectious disease that is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is caused from a group parasite known as plasmodia that infects the body's red blood cells. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits the parasite. Treatment is available for the disease, but there is no vaccine.

The disease infects between 300 million and 500 million yearly, and kills between one million and three million people. Most victims are children in sub-Saharan Africa, but there are also thousands of infected people in parts of the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly Venezuela, Guatemala and Guyana, where a combined total of over 90,000 people have the disease. They are the highest-ranked Latin American and Caribbean countries on the World Health Organisation (WHO) list of most infected countries, ranking 56th, 57th and 58th, respectively. The closest infected country to Jamaica is Haiti.

Symptoms of the disease are usually flu-like, the Ministry of Health says, and can arise within six to 14 days of infection. They include fever, headaches, chills, muscle aches and fatigue. Severe cases of the disease can progress rapidly and cause death within hours or days.

People are also being advised to visit their local hospitals.

More Lead Stories

E-mail this story

Print this Page

Letters to the Editor

Most Popular Stories





Home - Jamaica Gleaner

- Progress?????
  • From: <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 03 Dec 2006 10:54:16 -0500
I will try to get this email out - but it certainly is a challenge at the moment.

There is a major problem with Cable & Wortless - ADSL is down. Internet is down - phone lines are dead at my house

They tell us it is a problem with some overseas equipment. Well, if I lived overseas FINE, but I don't.

TEN working days to get the line looked at - so even if the DSL comes back - then the line that feeds it isn't working. It hink in my case with the line, it is from the large amount of rain that fell over the 10 day period. I have complained aboput that problem since dirt was invented _ BUT, I guess dirt has not reached maturity yet, so I will have to wait a likkle longer.

It is the most glorious day in Ochi today - clear blue skies, fabulous temps, tide is really high and the waves are quite big, so no good for scuba. Bit bumpy out there if you are not good on a boat- bit rough for the fisher folks as well.
We are so happy to see the sun and the clear skies.

Gonna try to send this while I can

Sue M


- End of hurricane season,This seasons review
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 09:03:49 -0800 (PST)
Season review from Jeff Masters
The remarkably unremarkable Atlantic hurricane season of 2006 has now officially passed into the history books with the arrival of November 30. The nine named storms, five hurricanes, two intense hurricanes, 50 days with a named storm, and 20 days with a hurricane were all very close to the averages one expects for an Atlantic hurricane season. The only Atlantic hurricanes to affect land were Hurricane Gordon, which passed through the Azores Islands on September 19 as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds, and Hurricane Florence, whose eye passed about 50 miles west of Bermuda on September 11 and brought sustained 80 mph winds to the island. Neither hurricane did significant damage. The only significant damage done by a 2006 Atlantic storm was Hurricane Ernesto, which caused about $100 million in damage to North Carolina and Florida August 31-September 1. Ernesto was also responsible for the only fatalities of the season--five people in Haiti, and two victims in Florida. We were very fortunate, indeed, compared to the vicious hurricane seasons the previous two years!



A few interesting highlights from the 2006 Hurricane Season, taken in part from Dr. Bill Gray and Phil Klotzbach's forecast team at Colorado State University:

It was another early-starting season. Alberto formed on June 11. The climatological average date for the first named storm formation in the Atlantic, based on 1944-2005 data, is July 10.

The 9 named storms, 2 intense hurricanes, and 50 named storm days were the lowest observed since the El Nino year of 1997.

This is only the 11th year since 1945 that no hurricanes have made United States landfall.

No Category 4 or 5 hurricanes formed in the Atlantic basin this year. This is the first year with no Category 4-5 hurricanes in the Atlantic since 1997.

No named storms formed in October. This is the first time that no named storms have formed in October since 2002. Prior to 2006, only eleven years since 1950 witnessed no named storm formations in October.

Only two named storm days were observed in October (from Isaac which formed in late September). This is the fewest named storm days in October since 1994, when zero named storm days were observed.

Citizens Property Insurance Corp. increased their average homeowner rate by 56% in Florida this year, with another 27% increase scheduled for January 1. Imagine if another year like 2004 or 2005 had affected Florida what the insurance rates might have done!

27 percent: The Citizens rate increase approved to start Jan. 1.


Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

- BLOB
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 06:47:23 -0500
If you look to see where the likkle blob of weather is on Blayz's map - you will notice it is right over Ochi and St. Mary.
Yesterday we experienced torrential rains AGAIN, in between we had bright blue skies for 10-30 minutes at a time. The ground is so saturated that there is nowhere for the water to drain, so the flooding is excessive.
Boscobel was flooded and many folks could not get through. The weather forecasts are telling us that rains will continue for another 2 days. AAARGH
 
Not one to be outdone by lack of ingenuity, and actually through sheer desperation and shortage, I washed a load of towels - rigged up bamboo pole and made use of corner bookshelves, and then turned the fans on full blast. Turned lights on full to create sunshine - and VOILA, I have my own likkle tropical paradise going on - bright sun, cool breeze and beach towels. What more could anyone ask for.
Of course if dat electrickery goes on the blink, I am in doo-doo, BUT, we will deal with that when and if!!
 
Not even going to mention the blasted wind-shield wiper business and the zig-zagging in and around the rain drops so I can see where I am going.
 
Last night one of the dogs decided he had enough of the likkle rodent that was trying to tief his food, so he pounced and caught it. Like a proud likkle boy, he bought his new catch in for his mummy & daddy to see. I happened to walk into the living room as this was occurring, jumped up and down and yelled for my better half to come QUICK!!!!!
Sassinfrassin and cuss, cuss cuss from the better half as he came zooming - I had departed for the kitchen and slammed the door. HAH - rodent was just playing dead, before better half could gather it up, I peeped out of kitchen, and yup, you guessed it, the critter ran into kitchen, I leaped up - hit head on door jamb and then ran.
So, I now have an uninvited guest taking up residence in my kitchen - behind the water heater I suspect.
That will get sorted out quickly today!!!!!
 
Dawn has arisen to a very grey morning, sea is quite loud, but not as angry as yesterday. Not sure what the day will bring - but it is sure to be more rain. Just a couple more days and we should be back to normal!!
 
Best from Ochi
Sue M
 
 

- Great weather now Very Windy tommorow and Friday
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:04:48 -0800 (PST)
We have been having great weather for the last couple of days.
This morning was different we experienced heavy rainfall between 8-8:15pm,
but by 9:am we were back to the normal sunshine,the winds have been mostly low but this will soon change.

The Weather&Forecast
High pressure is dominating weather in the central Caribbean which has been drying us out keep the cold fronts away.The High Pressure will strengthen tomorrow and the winds will kick up tomorrow through Friday.Strong n easterly winds of 25-30kts/29-35mph/46-56kph/6-7beaufort can be expected,Scattered showers will also be possible along the north coast.The seas will be nasty, 3meters/9ft.besides the wind the weather from now to next week looks great.


Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

JPEG image


- Congrats Alejandro
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:11:46 -0500
Our heartiest congrats to Alejandro in Santo Domingo, in the announcement of his FIRST great grand-daughter.
The joys of being able to share new life outlive all others
 
We always need a reason to celebrate, so we will toast the new baby from Jamaica
 
Sue M

- canines!!
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:42:42 -0500
My dogs started whining at 3:30 this morning, so I dragged myself out of bed and escorted them out the door, quickly locking it behind them. Once I am awake, that is it - time to get up. I don't mind the early mornings as I get lots of work done when all is peaceful and it is too early for the phones to start ringing.
 
It was a beautiful early morning, the air was still and calm, so I am busy working away when I hear the rain start pounding on the roof, off to the puter to check the radar. One blob of weather on the whole island and guess where?? Ochi and east - just where we don't need any more rain. Hopefully this will move through quickly.
 
We had a wonderful day yesterday, the sun was out most of the day and the 2 loads of washing were almost dry when I bought them in last night. It was nice to put the sweatshirt aside and pull out the sleeveless top. Temps have been chilly at night - great for sleeping and not too hot during the day
 
Dogs are out there bashing on the door to come back in now - tis raining and they are entirely too spoiled. HAH - wake me up at 3:30 hmmmmmmmmmm
 
Sue M

- Shhhhhhhhh
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2006 07:03:10 -0500
I peeped out the door this morning before the sun came up and just listened.
 
NO crashing waves, NO roaring winds, No rain falling on the roof, couldn't see any stars anywhere around, but, figured we can't have everything.
 
It is now 6:30am and the blue sky is peeping out from around the clouds, the radars look good - so figure the rest. i am not saying anyt'ing in case I jinx it all.
I have had several emails from folks in the UK who are arriving in Ocho Rios this week for holidays and weddings - so we must all be nice to the weather guru and these good people will have a wonderful time and be able to go home strutting their tans.
 
We certainly had a week to remember last week, unfortunately there was a life lost in a mud slide in St. Mary. When we have so much rain, the hills can become unstable when saturated and begin to slide, gathering a lot of momentum as they come crashing down.
It is so important to control deforestation on the hill sides and we all need to become more proactive in this area - not only in Jamaica, but around the world.
 
I got a lovely smile from the mechanic last week who I am positive has sold my windshield wiper motor on Ebay, this was right before I wopped him on the head with my brolly which had turned inside out as I was driving down the road. I am considering holding some of his tools to ransom until I get my wipers working again. Probably by the time this happens, the dag-gone wipers will be stuck to the glass unable to move!!!
 
Today is the day to make a report to the authorities about the vandalism that has been taking place on my roof, must happen while I am at work. I think they are holding dance parties on my roof when I am not looking and the only criteria is you MUST wear spiked boots!!! I usually have one likkle bucket by the back door to catch the drips that no-one seems to be able to fix. Not last week!!!!!
I counted 14 leaks and I am sure I didn't get them all. Ya didn't have to worry about the mop and bucket to wash the floor, just the mop - as there was plenty water on the floors already. AND, to add to my ever growing pile of washing, one of the leaks was in my closet.
The situation is now serious, I am going to have to visit that dratted Laundromat and use that %$%^&% dryer which eats up your clothes and melts what it doesn't consume.
 
I did 2 loads of washing on Saturday as the sun peeped out for a likkle while - they are now well rinsed several times over and will probably take a month to dry.
 
The new bird arrived on the island on Saturday and met up with the existing one which was doing a 20 minute tour. They flew together side by side for about 10 minutes before newbie peeled off and headed to Kingston where she had to enter the country. My phone started ringing off the hook with people yelling at me - She's here, she's here, I just see her fly over me yaard.
We will bring the new baby to Ochi today and get her ready for her new home in Montego Bay - excitement in the family
 
For all who are arriving in Ocho Rios this week, we have put in the word for some sun, not just for your enjoyment, but so i can get the dratted washing dry.
 
Very Best from Ochi
 
Sue M
 

- Flash Flood Warning lifted,Stationary front;14inches of rain in 24hrs.1 dead,millions in damages
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 18:50:51 -0800 (PST)
  Iam sorry to report that one person has been killed
from this weeks killer rains.I wanted to blog
yesterday,but a rare event, happen the electricity
went, my situtated near all the hotels so the light
goinging rarely happens anyway ill be giving you an
update on what   has been happening sources The
Gleaner&Observer
      
    In Port Antonio, Portland, the two-bedroom
hillside residence on Red Hassel Road belonging to
53-year-old Pauline 'Junie' Shalland and Cecil 'Bully'
Cover, 50, was almost totally destroyed by a landslide
that occurred after 1:00 a.m. Mr. Cover was retrieved
from the debris in the early hours by neighbours after
the landslide carried him down the hill.(Residence dug
for ten hours with axes,and shovels before her body
was found.She was found in the house in a green
T-shirt, curlers in her hair, with her back against a
column in her bedroom, covered with a bedspread and a
concrete column across her face.

It was a gruesome sight for many, as despite the
frantic search, in which assistance was given by the
National Works Agency, Portland Parish Council,
Portland Parish Disaster Committee and Alcar
Construction, family, friends and neighbours were
clinging to the hope that Shalland would have come out
alive.

"It is really sad to see," said one of Shalland's son,
who gave his name only as Danzel. "I was not here and
them tell me that landslide come down and me mother
trap in there," he said, a look of grief on his face.

Shalland's spouse, Cecil "Butty" Cover, 51, who was
with her on the bed, said he tried to save her, but
was overcome by the thick mud and water.

"I lie down with her in the house and I hear movement
outside 'wooooo.', and so I got up and went outside,
then something hit me and pinned my foot against the
wall, then me just start slide down to the bottom of
the road," said Cover, as tears flowed down his cheeks
while one of his daughters combed his hair as he lay
on his bed at the Port Antonio Hospital. "I couldn't
save her, me did a try to save her," said Cover.

However it was not until after 11 a.m. that Mrs.
Shalland was found dead, trapped by a fallen beam
against a wall. Mr. Cover is recovering in the Port
Antonio Hospital from injuries.

PM condolences

In a statement Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller
offered her condolences to the family of Mrs. Shalland
and said she had instructed Dean Peart, Minister of
Local Government and Environment, to lead a team to
visit the area and prepare a damage report.

Corporal Angella McTaggart, Constabulary Communication
Network (CCN) liaison officer for St. Mary, said the
police are now on the hunt for the goods that were
taken from the Courts Furniture store.Some were
recovered from a empty house ,there were no arrest

Daryl Vaz, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for
West Portland, yesterday called for emergency funding
to rehabilitate the area. Mr. Vaz said there had been
poor maintenance of drains and a lack of river
training over the years.

In Portland, a reported 60 persons were staying with
relatives after rivers overflowed their banks forcing
them to evacuate their homes at Shoesbury, Commodore,
Orange Bay and Fruitful Vale.

Denise Lewis, parish coordinator at the Office of
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
(ODPEM), said only one disaster shelter is now opened
in East Portland and that emergency teams remained in
a state of readiness.

In St. Ann, the Ocho Rios Health Centre had to be
closed for a second day due to flooding. A
representative from the facility said that, while most
sections of of the health centre are expected to be
operational by Monday, the dental section will have to
cancel all appointments because of water damage to its
only dental chair.

Arthur Hosang, Superintendent of Road and Works at the
St. Ann Parish Council, appealed for emergency funds
to begin drain cleaning work on a number of roads in
the parish.

Mr. Hosang said that, with most of the drains blocked,
further heavy rain could cause worse flooding
especially in the lower sections of St. Ann's Bay and
Ocho Rios.

Mayor of Port Maria, Bobby Montague said that, in
Jacks River alone, 30 houses were flooded. There was
also flooding in Annotto Bay, Boscobel and Heywood
Hall where a bridge collapsed and several farms were
flooded.

The Weather and Forecast
     Today was mostly sunny,but we had a few periods
of light showers,the stationary front that has caused
so much rain is currently west of the island(midway
Jamaica and Cayman) it has weakened considerable,and
will dissipate in the next 36hrs,So we will be in for
mostly sunny days,but keep the umbrellas near there is
a area of Low pressure which could induce showers and
thunderstorms especially over southern parishes
through late Sunday after this great weather week
likely .(Below Residents digging for body and aslo
house after landslide.)


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Enough Now
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 07:17:44 -0500
The rains let up for a time yesterday, the sun even peeped out and the sweatshirt remained at home. What a mistake that was, the dark clouds rolled back in yesterday afternoon and down came the rain.
 
Some of my staff in trying to get home on Thursday, ended up wading through water that was up to their armpits - this was in an area called "hog hole". The driver should have known better as this area floods often. The next obstacle was by Boscobel Airport, where those who had earned swimming medals in hog hole, once again had to sign up for Round 2. One of my staff was most distressed as his new uniform boots had been washed away while he was trying to navigate Round 2. Never mind his clothes were ruined - his concern was his "new boots"
Don't let on, but I will have him new, "new boots" for Monday.
 
I don't know if I have enough clout with the weather man - but I have certainly instructed him that "enough already" we now have plenty water, the reservoirs are filled to overflowing, the drains and gullies have washed their debris down to other yaards, the plants have all had their Christmas bath, everyt'ing is nice and shiny green - so time to STOP!!!!!!
 
Besides that my washing is now past overflowing - I'm gonna have to go buy extra clothes pins just to hang the dratted stuff on the line - actually I'm gonna have to go buy xtra line to fit it all in.
that's my job for the next few days. Now watch the electrickery go out - so no washing machine.
hmmmmmm, wonder what is available in disposable clothing
 
Try to stay dry everyone - time to get out the mop & bucket
 
Sue M

- Articles from Fri morning Gleaner & Observer
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 07:34:13 -0500

 

FROM THE GLEANER FRI NOV 24

Heavy rains lashed parishes across the island yesterday, resulting in flooding, and scores of persons trapped in their business places and homes.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reported flooding in the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.

Mayor of Port Maria, Bobby Montague, said yesterday that the entire town of Port Maria was under water and persons were marooned inside their business places.

Speaking yesterday on 'Good Evening Jamaica', on Power 106 radio, Mayor Montague said members of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Fire Brigade were mobilised and were evacuating persons who were stranded.

He also noted that the police were trying to assist but they too were marooned.

"The police station is flooded and the water is rising in the admin. office, where they are," the mayor said.

Port Maria under water

He explained that Port Maria, the parish capital was below sea level and as a result, everywhere was flooded.

In Portland, more than 200 residents had evacuated their homes up to press time. The trend is expected to continue into today as residents remain fearful that conditions could worsen.

Paradise Estate was also inundated and approximately 10 persons were trapped. The Fire Brigade responded and assisted them.

Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for Western Portland, Daryl Vaz, argued that a lack of drain cleaning and river training had contributed to flooding in the various communities.

Glenroy Brown, duty forecaster at the Meteorological Service told The Gleaner yesterday that a flash flood warning was still in effect for low lying and flood prone areas of all parishes.

According to the Meteorological Service, the frontal system, which has been affecting the island has become stationary across Jamaica. However, it is expected to drift towards the west tomorrow into Saturday.

And Krechet Greaves, of the information and training unit at ODPEM said persons in low-lying areas are to take the necessary precautions in the event of flooding and parents and teachers are to remind children of the dangers of playing in flood waters or trying to cross pathways that are inundated.

Persons who live in areas where flooding has occurred are asked to observe the following precautions:

-avoid washing and playing in rivers and areas subject to flooding.

-if you think your home is threatened by flooding, be ready to evacuate if conditions worsen.

The National Works Agency has advised that the Haughton Bridge in St. Mary has been closed. The bridge, the NWA said has been made impassable by heavy rains in the area since Wednesday, which has left it covered with water.

The alternative route from Kingston to Portland towards Port Antonio is Georgia, on to Clonmel, through Highgate and then on to Port Maria. The opposite obtains for motorists travelling from Port Maria towards Kingston.

Blocked roads in St. Mary

-Junction Road

-Highgate Road- blocked in the vicinity of Rosend.

-Section of road by Agualita Vale to Whitehall.

Affected areas in Portland

-Fruitful Vale,

-Orange Bay,

-Rio Grande river-rising,

-Forty Miles in Buff Bay,

-Hope Bay,

-Shrewsbury

-and sections of Hart Hill

St. Ann

Flooding in Great Pond.

 

FROM THE OBSERVER FRI NOV 24

 

Rains cause flooding
Portland, St Mary, St Ann take brunt of bad weather
By Carl Gilchrist and Kerry McCatty Observer staff reporters
Friday, November 24, 2006

A frontal system that has been affecting the island since Wednesday dumped heavy rains on sections of the country yesterday, flooding towns and districts in Portland, St Mary and St Ann.

Last night, the Meteorological Service maintained a flash flood warning for low-lying and flood-prone areas until 5:00 am today, but said that the system was expected to drift west today into tomorrow.
The Met Service also warned that further flooding was likely as showers were likely to spread to other parishes.

Traffic crawling through Ocho Rios' flooded streets yesterday.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reported flooding in Annotto Bay, Agualita Vale and on the Georgia to Highgate road in the vicinity of Rosend, in St Mary; Shrewsbury, Fruitfulvale, and Hope Bay in Portland where the Swift River had overflowed its banks.

The ODPEM also said that 10 persons were trapped at Paradise Estate and that the Jamaica Fire Brigade was responding to appeals for help.
Yesterday in Ocho Rios, several persons told the Observer it was the worst flooding they had seen in recent memory in that St Ann tourist resort town.

Businesses on Main Street were forced to close early and the normally busy street was, for a time, turned into a dual carriageway as motor vehicles were forced to abandon DaCosta Drive, the only road leading westward out of the town (towards St Ann's Bay) as it was rendered impassable by debris washed down from Milford Road, which stretches towards Fern Gully.
Workers sent home early waded through knee-high water, at some points, to reach taxi stands.

Some men were seen carrying women on their backs across flooded streets. Public passenger vehicles, for the most part, suspended service, and some cars, while driving through the flooded streets, had water seeping into them.
Several vehicles stalled in the water, forcing passengers onto the flooded roadways.

A number of tourists, who disembarked from two cruise ships docked in the town, braved the flood waters and the rain and tried to do some shopping before heading back to the vessels.

St Ann Parish Council chairman, Mayor Delroy Giscombe, after viewing sections of Ocho Rios, told the Observer that the North Coast Highway contractors and the National Works Agency (NWA) need to revisit some areas of the highway that have been completed in order to find a solution to the flooding problem.

"We will have to identify the concerns, see where we have faults and then instruct the NWA, which controls all the roads in Ocho Rios, and the highway contractors to revisit some areas to ensure that the situation is remedied," Giscombe said.
Seow's Supercentre, usually one of the first stores on Main Street to experience flooding whenever it rains heavily, was again flooded.

Up to 3:45 pm when the Observer spoke with manager Albert Seow, the store was still under water. Seow said he was frustrated with the recurring problem and suggested that proper drains needed to be installed.

"The drains are not adequate, and in addition there is no maintenance programme for them," Seow complained.
The Mother's restaurant located downstairs the Observer's Ocho Rios office at 17 Main Street, and several other businesses along the road were flooded.

At Condo Rios Resort at Old Fort Bay in Mammee Bay, Manager Pauline O'Reilly said eight of the 10 apartments on the property were flooded, inconveniencing 45 tourists holidaying there.

O'Reilly told the Observer that it was the worst incident of flooding on the property and blamed the flooding on the work on the North Coast Highway.
"All the water from off the new roadway is just rushing into the resort," O'Reilly said. "They (the authorities) need to do something about it."

Several other resorts at Old Fort Bay, including Silver Palms and Cannon Villa, were also reported to have been flooded.
Mayor Giscombe later told the Observer that all councillors were out in their divisions, trying to render assistance where needed.
There were also reports of flooding in sections of Runaway Bay and Exchange.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for West Portland Daryl Vaz said that the situation there was bad, with sustained flooding in sections of Buff Bay and Orange Bay.
"The biggest problems are above Hope Bay in Swift Vale, Comodore, [and] Shrewsbury," Vaz said, adding that these were the areas that had been affected by heavy rains in 2001.

He said many of those persons were still living in shelters and called for some of the money being spent on the Portland leg of the North Coast Highway to be diverted to cleaning drains and fixing infrastructure to decrease the possibility of flooding in the interior.
In St Mary, the NWA closed the Haughton River bridge, saying that it was covered by a "large body of water" and was therefore impassable.


- Friday Morning
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 07:13:00 -0500
Woke this morning to very grey skies - however, sea is fairly calm, no winds yet and shhhhhh, no rain falling.
 
As daylight started to appear, so did the horizon, which we haven't been able to see for some time. There are patches of blue sky peeping through, don't know how long this will last.
 
The roads around Ochi and St. Mary were a disaster last night, we had been invited out for Thanksgiving Dinner to a villa less than half a mile away.. It was extremely difficult to even see the road and the amount of water flowing made it driving treacherous. When we returned last night about 9pm, there were many cars abandoned on the sides of the road and in some cases in the traffic lane. When the cars stopped it was impossible to see where the side of the road was, so they sat where they stopped. I am sure the tow trucks will be busy this morning.
 
Ocho Rios Main Street was flooded and under water, the fire dept had attempted to pump out some of the businesses but had to abandon as the amount of rain falling was too intense.
Great Pond is still under water. It takes several days for the flood warnings to be discontinues, as the water continues to flow from the hills behind us.
 
My friend Michelle in Oracabessa tried to get home last night and ended up turning back. Boscobel was flooded and the road to bypass was washed out, Port Maria was in serious trouble with many business places flooded out and employees unable to get home. The High School was unable to get the students out due to the new bridge either being underwater or washed out.
 
Many people ended up spending the night at their work place. This morning will be the time to assess the damages and start the clean up if the rains stay away. The weather reports state the front is stationary over Jamaica and this weather will continue for the next 24 hours - we hope this is not the case and the front moves through quickly.
 
We have a new helicopter on its way to Jamaica and were anticipating its arrival yesterday. Hopefully the bird will be able to fly in to her new home this morning.
 
Everyone needs to just be careful over the next 24 hours or so and not take any risks. Amazingly enough, we still have electrickery, phone and ADSL, although some phone lines are water logged and not operating in Ochi. The TV cable - well, that's another story, it is somewhat there if you squint up your eyes and look between all the white snow.
 
Take Care everyone & be careful
 
Sue M
 
 

- FLASH FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT,dangerous life threathing floods now occuring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 18:29:52 -0800 (PST)
Jamaica is in a frantic situation right now, I do not
know where to start as each minute passes more reports
come through the radio of people stranded in
business,numerous roads and  have been cut dangerous
landslides have occurred of and worst of all the rains
will continue through Saturday and rainfall with
intensify and affect all parishes tonight.

   The town of Port Maria (capital of St.Mary) is
under up to 4ft water and the water is fast
rising,people are marooned in business as it getting
dark people are getting scaried.The odpem is currently
organizing rescue operations with the fire
department,also one house has been washed away and six
flooded.The orabessa-Islington main road is in
passable,haughton bridge in Orange River is also
flooded  the George-Highgate Juction road is blocked
in 8!places,many other roads are also but I haven't
got the names as yet.

   In St Ann,the capital of St.Ann's Bay is
flooded,The flooding is blamed on a over flooding
manhole across from the police stations.In ocho Rious
the city is flooding is report which has caused
horrendous traffic maybe Sue can give us more info.

    Portland is currently the worst affected parish
numerous rivers are in spate,One house has so  far
been was away,the Member of Parliament Mr.Darl Vaz
says if the rain continues their will be utter
devastation.Numerous Communities in the Rio Grande
Valley are under flood waters.
In Montego Bay Bay there is a temporary calm right
now.I just checked my rain gauge,It says we picked up
43.18/1.70inches today.

The forecast
The "stationary front" will continue to slowly drift
West and will be just west of Montego Bay,
tommorrow,the rain associated with the front will
spread across the Central and Western sections of the
island tonight through tomorrow,So the entire island
will experience moderate-heavy rainfall through the
next 24hrs.Improvement in the weather will start on
Saturday.


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
http://new.mail.yahoo.com


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Want to start your own business?
Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

GIF image

JPEG image


- Floods in Ochi
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:31:08 -0500
The heavy rains have not let up all day and have at times been torrential. Many businesses on Main Street were forced to close.
 
I sent most of my staff home just after 1pm to ensure that they made it safely, any longer and they would not have been able to make it.
 
Flooding is severe from Ocho Rios and east, the last report I received from Mobay was light drizzle.
The west end of the island is experiencing heavy battering seas and damage to beaches is occuring
 
The danger now is if the winds pick up. The ground is so wet that many trees will fall and further block the roads.
 
Darkness is coming fast, so hopefully people are safely in their homes, the flooding is treacherous at night.
 
More later
 
Sue M

- Tuesday's Cold Front now warm front retrograding (returning)to Jamaica
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 14:16:06 -0800 (PST)
    The past two days have been bitterly cold by
Jamaican standards.Yesterday,There was no rain,but it
was windy and cold.The temperature only got up to
23.4C/74.3F,The low 20.6/69.8F.Everyone was bundled
local and tourist a like.
     Today,light rain started from the early morning
hours and have been continuous even at this time.The
temperature is barely higher than yesterday today's
high got up to 23.5c/74.4f.

Cooler temperatures were not the only problem,the
winds which for the past 2 days have been gusting to
20-25knots making it feel chiller.In more than one
occasion I saw the wind blow peoples umbrellas inside
out.
 We picked up 0.5inches today and has just started
tearing,and as i am typing i am hearing some breaking
news about severe flooding people stranded in
business,rivers in spate.When the news is finished
update  

    


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Want to start your own business?
Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index


- Hangover in Tortola
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 11:04:04 -0500
I think out resident mermaid correspondent in Tortola has one whale of a hangover this morning.
 
This is getting entirely TOO fishy
 
One Love
Sue m

- Jerl Turkey
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 08:16:39 -0500
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate the holiday
 
Someone asked me if they made jerk turkey in Jamaica, I'm sure they do - not sure how that would taste with cranberry sauce, but there is a first for everything.
 
Wet, cold and a bit dismal at the moment, the sun is way up there somewhere above the clouds, not showing it's face. I think we have to wait a couple more days for that.
 
Enjoy the day
 
Sue M

- Goose Bumps
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 07:02:13 -0500
I awoke this morning to the howling wind coming from the north west and blowing in through the shutters. This is the first time in ages that the shutters have been closed, usually the slight breeze is most welcome. Today, it is down right chilly.
 
As I was opening my eyes, I spied the big black dog curled up at the end of the bed, quietly enjoying the warmth from the electric blanket, hoping his "mummy" wouldn't see him. I sat up quick and said "HAH" - legs, head, body, tail all raised vertically, and ended up splat on the floor. this dog is not yet 2 years old and has the mentality of about a 6 week old puppy - except when it comes to quietly sneaking up on the bed at night - he is an expert at that. I think this is his first experience at what I consider really cold weather, so I will forgive him this time, but will not let him know that!!
 
The surf is pounding - and the wind is cold. Blowing all the cobwebs away so we are clear headed and ready for the upcoming tourist season which will soon be upon us. I have not seen the cruise ships yet, not sure if they will be able to dock with the rough seas. Time will tell.
 
The weather forecast predicts that this system will be with us for a few more days before it visits our neighbours to the west. I always try to find the positives in things that happen - yesterday being dressed in jeans and sweat shirt was actually a pleasant change, there is something about a warm fluffy sweat-shirt once you get the musty smell aired out. It must be 2 years since it last came out of the drawer.
I just checked the temp on the kitchen thermometer - 76 degrees - gotta go digging for the snow suit !!!
 
It is now time for the rains to cease, I have plenty washing that needs doing, so the stiff winds can continue for a couple of days.
 
Sue m
 

- Flash Flood watch in effect,Strongest Cold Front bring 30kt winds and low temps.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:43:31 -0800 (PST)
 Wow,It amazing how active the last 48hrs have
been,especially when compare with the last couple of
weeks.

  Yesterday,(Monday,November20th)there was continuous
light rain through most of the day,until 3:50 the rain
kicked up in intensity,the rain became so loud and
deafen I could not hear anything . very heavy rain ,so
heavy in fact,We picked up 1.5in of rain that hour.In
all 58.42(2.30)inches fell yesterday(my
location),2.27inches fell at the airport.

     This morning I was awaken by what sounded like
very heavy rain,I looked through the window and
surprizing it was only drizzling but the noise was
actually the wind.It was very cool,in fact today was
the coolest day since the start of the year.At
7.am(est)It was only 21.9celsius/71.4(f)(5 degrees
below normal).The temperature fell further throughout
the day to today's low of 20.7celsius/69.3(f),the high
only got up to 23.3c/73.9f at my location(a bit higher
at airport).

  There was some minor wind damage.My yard is littered
with leaves,as I have a mango tree,ackee tree and a
coconut tree.The winds ripped off  some of the medium
sized branches off the ackee tree,and also the coconot
tree and traveling around was the same story branches
around the city,The wind were sustained between
20-25mph today,with a few gust of 30,35mph.

  People adjusted well, the entire city was in
sweaters,jackets some even went extreme and wore
winter coats (they must be hot instead).Jamaica is not
used to cold weather,but we are quite accustomed to
Cold front or northers , and are normally a indication
that Christmas is near.

For the past 48 hrs we have been under flash flood
watch.It was issued yesterday at 5pm for the entire
island.It is now extended as of 5pm today ,but now
only includes Western and Southern parishes.The opdem
and disaster planning officials have been put on alert
for prompt action if necessary.The odpem says there
has no reports of extended flooding although water has
risen moderately in some areas.The Montpelier main
road(In S in my parish was an exception news reports
said It was closed due to heavy rain which fell Monday
night,motorist had to seek alternate routes.It was
opened this afternoon.I recorded 12.7mm/0.30inches of
rain

The Forecast,
Today's cold front will stall just east of Jamaica
over the next 24hrs.Tommorow will continue to be
windy,but less  than today.The front that will stall
east of Jamaica will be forced by building high
pressure to retreat back into us on Thursday as a warm
front so if we have a break ,the next 24hrs will be
that break.It will be just West of Negril on Friday so
we will return to the rain Thursday and Friday and
possibly the weekend.The temperatures will start to
rebound a little tomorrow but more Thursday.
Below (radar of cold front now east of the island near
approaching haiti)


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sponsored Link

Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $510k for $1,698/mo. 
Calculate new payment! www.LowerMyBills.com/lre

GIF image


- need a book
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:53:47 -0500
This would be the perfect day to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book. I think my only chances of that are huddling round the burn barrel with a soggy newspaper
 
My kitchen thermometer says it is 78 degrees, it is cold, the winds are howling out of the north west, seas are high and rough and the rain is pounding down. This is not even good weather to be a duck
 
It has been a long time since we have had one of these systems, so we must be thankful for the rain and hope that the flood-prone areas do not suffer too much. The blue skies & sun will be back with us in a few days.
 
Of course, ya know it !!!!, the dratted dag-blasted wind shield wipers are still not working. It seems my chances of getting a new car are greater than getting the wipers working again.
 
Aaah, life in Jamaica Mon, where a minor occurrence can turn in to a best selling novel
 
Stay Dry and wrap up warm
 
Sue M

- the thermometer is BROKEN
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:30:33 -0500
Oh my gosh ... it was 74 DEGREES last night and down right cold. I was grabbing for extra blankeys all night long.
 
HAH, got that fixed today, drug out the electric blanket and plugged it right in. I live right on the ocean, so when the temps go down and the rain comes, everything feels cold and wet.
 
It has been cold and wet all day today, and as I peek out the door, the branches and leaves on the almond trees are really sagging, but I just went and checked, the bed is toasty warm.
 
the weather satellite shows a fairly large band of weather south of Jamaica coming from the west. It stretches up over Cuba to Florida, so we will have a few days of this before the shorts and tank tops come back out. For us who live in the islands, any time the temps go below 80 degrees, we are scrambling for extra blankets and sweat shirts. The blood get t'in, it takes a couple of years, but it happens. The tourists coming to Jamaica look at us like we are mad - all bundled up in sweats.
 
Ya gotta love it
 
Sue M

- lizards and rain
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:00:37 +0000
I love reading your stories, Sue and it so happens just today in class we talked about lizards (flora and fauna of Jamaica) and the fear Jamaicans have of them. We don't have them in Holland so i share your view that they're harmless and interesting creatures. Often quite pretty too. Oh yes, and loud! I will miss all the sounds in the night, especially the whisteling toads.

Yes, it's raining here too, lots of it fell today as Blayz predicted. It got so cool we turned off the fan and i even put on socks! Oh boy i'm going to have a rough time in Holland.

I'm glad i have 2 suitcases packed with sunshine ready!

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail en Messenger on the move http://www.msn.nl/services


- Low pressure+Cold Front+Tropical wave=Stormy Week
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 05:54:27 -0800 (PST)
It started raining on and off in the early morning
hours around 2,3am.This morning I woke to very
dark,skies.There is no sunlight,and looks more like
night than morning.We are only experiencing overcast
skies but that can change at any moment.Currently
sections of the Island are experiencing ,heavy
rainfall and others, dark cloudy skies.Do not be
fooled because the entire Island will experience bad
weather for at least the next five days.

A area of low pressure has been developing in the
Western Caribbean ,centered about 120mi ssw of
Kingston.It will persist  over the next 24hrs
especally to the areas West of us.,It follows a cold
front now coming out of the United States will reach
the Central Bahamas southward to just West of
Jamaica,by daybreak tomorrow and will move across
Jamaica on Wednesday.Temperatures will be 4-5 degrees
below normal,with wicked winds which could gust up to
26 kts(30mph/48kph).The rain associated with the front
will not move much and will be just South of us on
Friday.If there are any changes I will give an update
this evening.


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sponsored Link

Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. 
$510k for $1,698/mo. Calculate new payment! 
www.LowerMyBills.com/lre

JPEG image

GIF image

GIF image


- dark & rainy
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2006 19:18:37 -0500
It is cool, dark and rainy in Ochi. Slight drizzle from time to time during the day and looks like it will continue into the night.
 
I really wanted to see the shooting stars last night and was determined to stay awake for them - HAH the rain took care of that, no such luck.
 
Next to my computer on the wall is a large calendar, I sensed some movement a few minutes ago and glanced sideways. The head of a large lizard is peeping out from behind the calendar, he is very still and watching a moth in the corner, somehow I think the moth is going to lose this battle.
I remember when I first came across a croaker lizard. I was sitting at this very same computer and suddenly heard this unbelievable noise coming from the bathroom in the corner. I had never heard such a noise and was not sure what was going on in that room. Hubby was not home, so I armed myself with my trusty broom and proceeded to sneak up on the bathroom. I quietly looked around and decided that the noise must have come from inside the shower, so i am standing in the doorway with broom at arms length, trying to push the shower curtain aside quietly. I don't know what I thought I would do if something leapt out at me, but I'm sure that my trusty broom would have come to my assistance.
As I leaned forward to reach the curtain, the unbelievable noise happened again right above my head. Well now, trusty broom went in one direction and I went flying out of the house into the yard. The man who was raking the leaves came running up to me to see what was wrong - he thought I was in serious distress. I explained to him that someone was in my bathroom hiding and making terrible noises. He went in armed with cutlass to sort out the problem, me, I stayed in the yard - I was not going back in there.
Well of course it was not even a minute later when he came out with a big smile on his face, I think he was trying hard not to laugh in front of me - and told me it was just a big old croaker lizard calling for a mate and I was to just sit quiet and listen. Sure nuff, I heard the one in the bathroom calling and the mate in the tree outside answering.
 
just goes to show, we are never too old to learn new things. It is amazing to me that there are so many folks who are either afraid of the lizards' or who dislike them intensely. I think they are wonderful creatures who help keep the flying insect population in check. Yes, they may hide in the closet and poop on your clothes, BUT, that is what they invented large plastic bags for. The ones in my house love to hide behind anything that is hung on  the walls and occasionally something comes crashing down. A small price to pay for the pleasure they give.
 
He is inching ever closer to the moth, so I guess it is time for dinner !!
 
Sue M

- Cool,rainy days ahead
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:25:28 -0800 (PST)
This morning was mostly sunny ,just a few clouds, winds ranging from2-7mph,A stationary front is just west of the Island, Some of the clouds and showers are drifting over the Island, Right now the sky is overcast,and the winds are calm. The pressure was1014mb 3hrs ago now it is 1011mb,scattered lightshowers and thunderstorms have been occuring over Western parishes,the heavier rain and thunderstorms are just offshore and are now slowly drifting  onshore,so this will be rainy afternoon for sections of the island.
 
The strongest cold front of the season will pass over the Island on Tuesday, Sunday?s(tomorrow?s) Low temperature will be 24©,This will be Tuesday?s High temperature the winds will be from then-NNW at 20mph making It feel even cooler. Wednesday will be even worst the High will only get up to23©/73(f), the low will fall to20©/68(f) and will the Coldest day of the season, one of the coldest day year ,From Monday night the rain changes go up,70%,Tuesday 90%.So bring your umbrellas with you. The Cold front will pass through Cayman, Monday, us in Jamaica Tuesday and Wednesday and Hispaniola Thursday.
 
Yesterday I spoke about what is a cold front, Today I?ll tell you what to expected before, during, and after the passing cold front
 
Before Passing
Winds are generally South-Southwest
Temperature normally warm
Pressure falling steadily
Clouds increasing: Cirrus Cirrostratus and Cumulonimbus
Precipitation short period of showers
Visibility   fair to poor in haze  
Dew Point   high; remains steady  
 
During Passing
Winds, gusty;Sharpshift
Temperature sudden drop  
Pressure minimum, then sharp rise
Clouds Cumulonimbus
Precipitation   heavy rains, sometimes with hail, thunder and lightning  
Visibility poor, followed by improving  
Dew Point sharp drop  
 
After Passing
Winds, , west-northwest
Temperature steadily dropping
Pressure steadily dropping
Clouds   Cumulus
Precipitation showers then clearing
Visibility good, except in showers
Dew Point v Lowering
posted:4:25pm est


Sponsored Link

Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $420,000 Mortgage for $1,399/mo - Calculate new house payment

JPEG image

GIF image

GIF image


- Great Weather Now,Strongest Cold Front of season due on Tuesay(corrected,disregard previous)
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:09:00 -0800 (PST)
The last couple of days have been great, mostly clear-partly cloudy conditions, Winds mostly calm, 5-10kts at times. It?s amazing how quiet this week has been not even a trace of precipitation. Currently an instability line extends from Eastern Jamaica to the SW Caribbean, showers and thunderstorms have been developing and continue to develop over Southern and eastern parishes. They are the only exception to the great weather, Jamaica has been experiencing the great weather should persist through the weekend until Tuesday.
 
The strongest cold front of the season will leave South Florida, late Sunday move through the Cayman Islands, Monday, then Jamaica will experience the Front on Tuesday. The front will stall over Hispaniola through Thursday and retrograde (back track) to us as a warm front, Friday. We can expect on Tuesday, cool conditions ,gusty winds and battering waves I am excited ,this will be the first cold front of the season to pass over Jamaica ,since lately the weather has been the same old,( sunny and wonderful)This coming week will be a change.
 
Weather Question: Do you know what is a cold front /warm front
Fronts are the boundaries between air masses of different temperature. If warm air is moving toward cold air, it is a ?warm front?. These are shown on weather maps as a red line with scallops on it. If cold air is moving toward warm air, then it is a ?cold front?. Cold fronts are always shown as a blue line with arrow points on it. If neither air mass is moving very much, it is called a ?stationary front?, shown as an alternating red and blue line. Usually, a cold front will be associated with a warm front, with a low pressure center, connecting them. This frontal "system" can be thought of as separating a cold air mass from a warm air mass, and the two different types of fronts simply indicate which direction those portions of the different air masses are moving.

Most of Earth's weather (clouds and precipitation) outside of the deep tropics occurs along or near fronts as part of extra tropical cyclone systems. Interestingly, the Earth?s rotation is very important to the formation of fronts. The rotation of the Earth causes the wind that would normally flow directly from one air mass to another to, instead, flow between the air masses. This helps maintain the air masses? identity, as well as the ?front? between the air masses. I?ll try to post another blog tomorrow what to expect before, during and after a front
 
Responding to Thea, question, I type in large font as my blogs can be quite length larger fonts are more reader friendly and interesting. Enjoy Holland ,Beware of the Red Light District
Below 1 (72hr Surface forecast,showing position of cold front)
2(Basic structure of a cold front)
3(latest IR image)
 
 
 


Sponsored Link

Degrees for working adults in as fast as 1 year. Bachelors, Masters, Associates. Top schools

GIF image

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Great Weather Now,Strongest Cold Front of season due on Tuesay
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 18:40:02 -0800 (PST)
The last couple of days have been great, mostly clear-partly cloudy conditions, Winds mostly calm, 5-10kts at times. It?s amazing how quiet this week has been not even a trace of precipitation. Currently an instability line extends from Eastern Jamaica to the SW Caribbean, showers and thunderstorms have been developing and continue to develop over Southern and eastern parishes. They are the only exception to the great weather, Jamaica has been experiencing the great weather should persist through the weekend until Tuesday.
 
The strongest cold front of the season will leave South Florida, late Sunday move through the Cayman Islands, Monday, then Jamaica will experience the Front on Tuesday. The front will stall over Hispaniola through Thursday and retrograde (back track) to us as a warm front, Friday. We can expect on Tuesday, cool conditions ,gusty winds and battering waves I am excited ,this will be the first cold front of the season to pass over Jamaica ,since lately the weather has been the same old,( sunny and wonderful)This coming week will be a change.
 
Weather Question: Do you know what is a cold front /warm front
Fronts are the boundaries between air masses of different temperature. If warm air is moving toward cold air, it is a ?warm front?. These are shown on weather maps as a red line with scallops on it. If cold air is moving toward warm air, then it is a ?cold front?. Cold fronts are always shown as a blue line with arrow points on it. If neither air mass is moving very much, it is called a ?stationary front?, shown as an alternating red and blue line. Usually, a cold front will be associated with a warm front, with a low pressure center, connecting them. This frontal "system" can be thought of as separating a cold air mass from a warm air mass, and the two different types of fronts simply indicate which direction those portions of the different air masses are moving.

Most of Earth's weather (clouds and precipitation) outside of the deep tropics occurs along or near fronts as part of extra tropical cyclone systems. Interestingly, the Earth?s rotation is very important to the formation of fronts. The rotation of the Earth causes the wind that would normally flow directly from one air mass to another to, instead, flow between the air masses. This helps maintain the air masses? identity, as well as the ?front? between the air masses. I?ll try to post another blog tomorrow what to expect before, during and after a front
 
Responding to Thea, question, I type in large font as my blogs can be quite length larger fonts are more reader friendly and interesting. Enjoy Holland ,Beware of the Red Light District
Below 1 (diagrams showing structure of cold front)
2
The last couple of days have been great, mostly clear-partly cloudy conditions, Winds mostly calm, 5-10kts at times. It?s amazing how quiet this week has been not even a trace of precipitation. Currently an instability line extends from Eastern Jamaica to the SW Caribbean, showers and thunderstorms have been developing and continue to develop over Southern and eastern parishes. They are the only exception to the great weather, Jamaica has been experiencing the great weather should persist through the weekend until Tuesday.
 
The strongest cold front of the season will leave South Florida, late Sunday move through the Cayman Islands, Monday, then Jamaica will experience the Front on Tuesday. The front will stall over Hispaniola through Thursday and retrograde (back track) to us as a warm front, Friday. We can expect on Tuesday, cool conditions ,gusty winds and battering waves I am excited ,this will be the first cold front of the season to pass over Jamaica ,since lately the weather has been the same old,( sunny and wonderful)This week will be a change.
 
Weather Question: Do you know what is a cold front /warm front
Fronts are the boundaries between air masses of different temperature. If warm air is moving toward cold air, it is a ?warm front?. These are shown on weather maps as a red line with scallops on it. If cold air is moving toward warm air, then it is a ?cold front?. Cold fronts are always shown as a blue line with arrow points on it. If neither air mass is moving very much, it is called a ?stationary front?, shown as an alternating red and blue line. Usually, a cold front will be associated with a warm front, with a low pressure center, connecting them. This frontal "system" can be thought of as separating a cold air mass from a warm air mass, and the two different types of fronts simply indicate which direction those portions of the different air masses are moving.

Most of Earth's weather (clouds and precipitation) outside of the deep tropics occurs along or near fronts as part of extra tropical cyclone systems. Interestingly, the Earth?s rotation is very important to the formation of fronts. The rotation of the Earth causes the wind that would normally flow directly from one air mass to another to, instead, flow between the air masses. This helps maintain the air masses? identity, as well as the ?front? between the air masses. I?ll try to post another blog tomorrow what to expect before, during and after a front
 
Responding to Thea, question, I type in large font as my blogs can be quite length larger fonts are more reader friendly and interesting. Enjoy Holland ,Beware of the Red Light District
Below 1
The last couple of days have been great, mostly clear-partly cloudy conditions, Winds mostly calm, 5-10kts at times. It?s amazing how quiet this week has been not even a trace of precipitation. Currently an instability line extends from Eastern Jamaica to the SW Caribbean, showers and thunderstorms have been developing and continue to develop over Southern and eastern parishes. They are the only exception to the great weather, Jamaica has been experiencing the great weather should persist through the weekend until Tuesday.
 
The strongest cold front of the season will leave South Florida, late Sunday move through the Cayman Islands, Monday, then Jamaica will experience the Front on Tuesday. The front will stall over Hispaniola through Thursday and retrograde (back track) to us as a warm front, Friday. We can expect on Tuesday, cool conditions ,gusty winds and battering waves I am excited ,this will be the first cold front of the season to pass over Jamaica ,since lately the weather has been the same old,( sunny and wonderful)This week will be a change.
 
Weather Question: Do you know what is a cold front /warm front
Fronts are the boundaries between air masses of different temperature. If warm air is moving toward cold air, it is a ?warm front?. These are shown on weather maps as a red line with scallops on it. If cold air is moving toward warm air, then it is a ?cold front?. Cold fronts are always shown as a blue line with arrow points on it. If neither air mass is moving very much, it is called a ?stationary front?, shown as an alternating red and blue line. Usually, a cold front will be associated with a warm front, with a low pressure center, connecting them. This frontal "system" can be thought of as separating a cold air mass from a warm air mass, and the two different types of fronts simply indicate which direction those portions of the different air masses are moving.

Most of Earth's weather (clouds and precipitation) outside of the deep tropics occurs along or near fronts as part of extra tropical cyclone systems. Interestingly, the Earth?s rotation is very important to the formation of fronts. The rotation of the Earth causes the wind that would normally flow directly from one air mass to another to, instead, flow between the air masses. This helps maintain the air masses? identity, as well as the ?front? between the air masses. I?ll try to post another blog tomorrow what to expect before, during and after a front
 
Responding to Thea, question, I type in large font as my blogs can be quite length larger fonts are more reader friendly and interesting. Enjoy Holland ,Beware of the Red Light District
Below 1 (72hr Surface forecast,showing position of cold front)
2(Basic structure of a cold front)
3(latest IR image)




Sponsored Link

$200,000 mortgage for $660/mo - 30/15 yr fixed, reduce debt, home equity - Click now for info

GIF image

JPEG image

JPEG image


- Thursday already
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:08:04 -0500
I just went outside to feed the dogs and looked out to sea, there right in front of my eyes,gently floating on what looks like a sheet of glass was the cruise ship due in port today.
What a great morning, the grass is wet with dew, so the plants will be ever thankful for that, sun is peeping up above the clouds and the birds are singing. - This would be the perfect day to play "hooky", hmmmm
 
Thea, I hope you have lots of winter woolies to take with you, remember to take a picture of Jamaican sunshine along with you so you can remember what you are missing, better take one of the ocean as well *S*
 
Hope you have a wonderful trip and that you report how you are doing from over there, Enjoy the days you have left and soak up the wonderful sunshine we are having
 
One Love from Ochi
Sue M

- more on snow ..
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006 02:02:32 +0000
Well, i'm flying out to Holland next week, already preparing mentally for the drop in temperature!

Let's hope the rest of the official hurricane season remains as calm as what went before.

I'll be back in January if all goes well and i didn't freeze. One more week of soaking up this sunshine .. yeah!

Yo Blayze, what's up with the big fonts?

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Live Search, for accurate results! http://www.live.nl


- Snow ????
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 09:05:22 -0500
Good Morning on this glorious day in Ochi. Thea, I am so sorry that you are inside all day, but it is only for 2 weeks and that is a great course to take.
 
Once again, blue skies, slight breeze, washing drying on the line - what more could one ask for. If you think times are tough, just go check out the weather channel for the mid and north east USA, then look out side. That will put a smile on your face. The only snow allowed in Jamaica is that which is shown on the Christmas cards. Can you imagine, we send Christmas cards out that show snow and snowman scenes HAH. That is because those are the only ones we can get *S*
 
Ya gotta love it
 
Sue M
 
 

- Good News,Forecast Models no longer calls for Tropical development
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 03:59:44 -0800 (PST)
It is wonderful morning in Montego Bay as people leave for the early morning commute,barely a cloud in sight,winds calm and cool 23.8(c).Just another day in paradise .Up to yesterday,Forecast Models have been developing a Tropical Storm in the SW Caribbean.They no longer do so ,I ll keep you updated if anything changes.(Below the radar, as quiet as It gets)


Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

GIF image


- Great weather this week,Possible Tropical Storm Joyce Early Next Week.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:11:17 -0800 (PST)
        
Great quiet weather continues around Jamaica expect this to continue over the next couple of days this associated weakening high pressure now located now on top the Central Atlantic providing us with some great weather  till the end of the work week.


     The long range computer guidance indicates that a Tropical Low will  develop Thursday in the southwestern Caribbean, It will then up move to the Northeastern Tip of Nicaragua and attach itself to the dissipating end of a stationary front where the 00 UTC GFS, Canadian Model, NOGAPS Model and the UKMET Model develop it into a Tropical Storm however GFS model is the only model that forecasts beyond about Saturday and it is forecasting this system to track northeastward passing very near or over Jamaica on November 20th and then tracking over the Dominican Republic on November 21st,N  After that, the GFS model forecasts this system to track northeastward well out to sea and away from the US East Coast and Atlantic Canada.


  Sea surface temperatures in the southwest Caribbean are still plenty warm enough to support tropical storm development and the forecast 5 day wind shear forecast indicates conditions may be favorable in this area for tropical development.


 
  This is quite a distance in the past and it is entirely possible that the computer models may be wrong and nothing will form down in the southwest Caribbean at the end of the week. However what has been interesting is that the models from Last Monday has been consistent in this forecast, either way, I will monitor things and keep you all updated on the latest developments. Below are(1) current surface analysis (2)72 surface analysis includes Tropical Low (3)Current Satellite picture


Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.

GIF image

GIF image

JPEG image


- i'll take boring!
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:33:38 +0000
Any day and every day! Every hurricane season may be like this one for all days to come, thank you very much!!

It's been hot and wonderful in Negril with your regular (thunder)showers locally. I have this little bush/tree just in front of my verandah that decided to blossom now. No artificially made perfume can match that fragrance!

We were on a drive out on Saturday and ended up in Accompong, which in itself was a wonderful experience. The weather on the way was great, sunshine, some clouds. We had no rain although i saw some dark dark clouds here and there.

I've started the Team Jamaica course, which is held at the TreeHouse hotel on the beach and i tell you, every morning the sea looks beautiful and inviting! Alas, it's not me swimming these days.

One Love from sunny Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Play online games with your friends with Messenger http://www.join.msn.com/messenger/overview


- beautiful
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:45:06 -0500
What a fantastic morning in the north coast town of Ocho Rios.
Perfect temps, clear blue skies and a likkle ripple on the ocean.
 
What more could we ask for
 
Enjoy
Sue M

- Hot,Humid day Evening Relief
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:19:01 -0800 (PST)
 
 
Today has been hot and humid. The temperature only got up to 30.6© but the humidity made it feel like 46©. The morning started under mostly clear skies, a few puffy cumulus clouds here, There was no breeze unlike yesterday which was windy at times, Also the barometric pressures are not as high as yesterday?s 1017mb.
For most of today the humidity stayed high, and one could tell it we would have afternoon rain. At 2pm, dark, low stratus clouds streamed over us. I rushed to pick up the clothes of the line, and waited for the rain to begin and end, the rain seemed to be taunting me until finally at 2:36, we experienced a light drizzle. This was short lived as it disappeared in a minute. The cloudiness increased and as a results the temperature tumbled from 30.6© to 26.5©.The clouds seem undecided as to let her tears go until finally at approximately 5:25pm, another sprinkle the sprinkle turned into light rain, Which was on and off until 7pm.The Sanster International Airport (10 minutes drive to my east) picked up 6.1mm(0.24inch)My 2weather station picked up 3.18mm(0.15inch).
Conditions seemed to be improving as when I checked the skies they had changed from mostly cloudy to partly cloudy and patches of stars could be seen. The pressure was up to 1015mb and the humidity is going down. The satel;lite shows clear skiesandTomorrow or by time most would have seen this today will be great.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

JPEG image

GIF image


- Brrrrrrrrr
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:45:12 -0500
We traveled to Montego Bay yesterday, what a great trip going up, the new highway is really coming along and we reached Discovery Bay before hitting any old road surface. It really cuts down the time.
Iron Shore was a bottleneck, which is normal. There always seems to be a large vehicle as part of that problem. The road from Iron Shore to Mobay is not something we should talk about at this time. Best left unsaid, but if your car rides low to the road, watch it!!
 
We had a lot of work to do while in Mobay and it was after 9pm last night until we headed for home. The weather in Mobay had been great, if not a little on the warm side. The traffic on the drive back was quite light, of course there are always a few "hollywoods" on the road who seem to think that this new highway was built just for them. the marking system on the road with all the "cats-eyes" really lights up the surface, we even have "red" ones in the No Passing - Be really Careful areas. Brilliant idea
 
It blows my mind when you have people overtaking in these areas and also on the blind curves, some of these vehicles carry the decals of well known transport organisations. It is time for the executives to take a stand with their drivers when it comes to the speed problem. We all want to get home safe & sound.
 
got back to Ochi close to midnight and it started sprinkling rain, so the washing stayed on the line. I remember hearing it rain off and on during the night, but was too tired to care.
Today has been cool temps in Ochi, a really nice day with no humidity, but too cold for this kid to get in the water. Sun shone for most of the day and before you know it 5:45 rolls around and it is dark. The nights are coming quickly it seems as we are only about 5 weeks away from the shortest day. Gosh, where has 2006 gone???? I must have nodded off for a few months!
 
We have a busy week in Ochi, plenty of cruise ships docking, so the town will be bustling. no time to slack off, the main winter season is fast approaching.
 
Have a good week
 
Sue M

- SHHHHHH
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 21:32:10 -0500
Hush O'Neil, don't rock the boat (this is in a whisper).
 
We have been so lucky this season and after the drama I have gone through over 3 days without electrickery and that was just a simple thunder storm - we are not ready for any major weather activity.
 
Weather in Ochi has been picture perfect and if anything a likkle warm, but great for the visitors and anyone who has time like Thea to go to the beach and give us her fabulous reports.
 
Heading for Mobay tomorrow, haven't been for a couple of weeks, so it will be interesting to see how much progress has been made on the new highway since my last visit. One day soon (I hope), we will have the perfect road all the way from Port Antonio to Montego Bay. This will all be completed in the year 200?????
"Soon come"
 
One Love from Ochi
Sue M

- BORING, BORING, BORING!!!!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 10:52:49 -0500
The weather is soooooo Boring, I need a change in weather to get back into the groove of things...

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


- welcome back Sue
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:18:03 +0000
Was wondering where you went .. Glad to see you are up and running now.

Nothing to report weather-wise in Negril. It's been sunny and hot. Tonight i saw some coulds and thought it might rain, but not so far.

The satellite pic looks clear apart from a patch in the corner. With Mother Earth doing what She wants these days and hardly sticking to "seasons" and such, let's hope it steers clear from us and stays calm.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Play online games with your friends with Messenger http://www.join.msn.com/messenger/overview


- Back in the land of Utilities
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2006 07:57:36 -0500
Phew - fans are once again running, lights are on and puters are fired up.
 
We had the most incredible display Monday night, a sight to behold. Lightning and thunder of intense magnitude graced the town of Ocho Rios and surrounds. Of course the end result was the "big one", the crack of the massive lightning bolt and thunder boomer that struck so close to the house it shook the bed,  took out the electrickery at our property and those surrounding.
 
As is typical on an island that is beholden to one electrickery company, one must now exercise patience and adopt the "soon come" attitude. Well after 40 hours, my tolerance of the forenamed policy was at an end. Light had been restored to all but ours and I had heard every story and excuse in the book as to why my current was not yet restored. Final version and truth was that a transformer was needed and there was not one available on the north coast. Now this story emerged at 7am Tuesday morning. Okay, we think, it is a 2 hour drive to Kingston and give them the liberty of having to drive both ways, that would make it close to noon before electrickery was restored. Not so!!
 
I think over the period of time, I contacted that toll free number every hour on the hour, so that everyone in the call centre knew who I was and where I was calling from. Finally late last night, with oh such a quiet click, light appeared and we were back in business. The mozzies took off running as the fans were now running full blast, coffee pot was on - what a delightful smell filled the house.
 
We do not realise how reliant we are on this t'ing we refer to as "current" and when da current mash up, we are lost.
 
Aaaaaaaaah, life in the islands.
 
This morning has awoken, beautiful blue skies, sun shining brightly, this has the makings of a hot humid day, for all those who can, head to the beach and enjoy
 
Sue M

- Heavy Rains creating havoc in Montego Bay
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 19:54:14 -0800 (PST)
Yesterday I spoke about a cold front .It crept towards
us and at the last minute retreated north.Today as a
result of daytime heating a strong area of storms blew
up right over us in western Jamaica around 4pm.It
unleased a very heavy amount of rain.I was Downtown at
the time,After the rain the seemly clean streets were
covered in plastic bottles and forks, litter of every
shape and kind.                

     The airport(nearer to Downtown) picked up a
staggering 54.4mm(2.12inches)which fell for an hour.My
weather only picked up 12.7mm(0.5in).Around what
seemed to be hundreds of people could be seen around
the city on like the Capital of Kingston,Montego Bay
has no form of public transportation,And most people
depend on Taxis,People could not any taxis and when
one taxi came by the entire crowd headed for the one
taxi,pushing and running up to eight persons in one
taxi.
       To make matters worst,The traffic was wicked,It
normally takes 10minutes to reach my home today .It
took 1hour,The North coast Highway is under
construction  .I cant wait till its open It will be
more weather resistant and the problems which we
experience when it rains will be a thing of the past. 
http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/GOES03152006312ZJiBfB.jpg



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited


- Cold Front approaching
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 05:24:44 -0800 (PST)
This morning I woke up to dark threatening skies
especially  looking to the North.The Doppler
radar(below) shows a cold front just north of the
island  Yesterday,(ahead of the front)We picked
up15.26mm (.6inch)of rain.Which fell between 6-7pm.The
front continues to slid SE and should pass over us
along the North Coast in a few hours,So showers and
Thunderstorms are expected today. 


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail 
(http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/)

GIF image

JPEG image

[Meteosat-SSM/I MPE Copyright 2006 EUMETSAT]

- sun red!
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 22:07:34 +0000
Hot day today, no cloud in this part of the sky over Jamaica.

I went to the sea and found myself in snorkel heaven. What an amazingly beautiful world under water, if it wasn't for the snorkel i'd go ooooh and aaaah all the time. A diverse and pretty world unto its own.

The water has a very comfortable temperature getting in, but i found myself soon getting cold in this deeper water by the cliffs. Luckily the sun soon warms you once you get out.

I'm finding more and more pretty places in Jamaica.

Give thanks once more.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Play online games with your friends with Messenger http://www.join.msn.com/messenger/overview


- rough sea
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:07:50 +0000
I was at the beach this morning, the sea has been rough the past days. This morning it was all sand still in the water and i could see nothing under water. An eerie feeling where usually you see the bottom and the fish swimming around. In the next hours i could see the water clear up already.

It's sunny now and nice an' breezy. A wonderful day in Jamaica.

Yes, we are blessed indeed. Give thanks.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Talk with your online friends with Messenger http://www.join.msn.com/messenger/overview


- Goodnight October
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 1 Nov 2006 00:07:08 -0500
Good Morning November
 
What a great day today, the rains have left us for the Cayman Islands where the big FCCA is being hosted this year. The sun peeped out all day and the temps were just perfect. The tourists visiting Ocho Rios had a great time enjoying the wonderful Jamaican weather on the north coast.
 
The fruit bat seems to have taken up permanent residence in my closet, so I am typing up the rental agreement and if that doesn't work, I am going to write up a work list of what I want done while I am at work. Can't live in my yaard for free !!
 
The satellite pics look clear for us for a few days, blessings for that as I have an enormous pile of washing to do, so I need the sun and light breeze.
 
Hard to imagine it is November already, not sure where 2006 has gone, seems the older you get the faster it goes and the list of t'ings to do gets longer. Course we will just kick back in the hammock and let t'ings go by.
 
Life in Jamaica
we are blessed
 
Sue M

- Stormy Morning Sunny Evening
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:21:19 -0800 (PST)
Its amazing what 12hrs can make.This morning I woke up
to strong gusty winds and a light drizzle There were
thin grey clouds high in the atmosphere which seemed
like someone covered us  with a sheet and We were the
lucky ones most of the Island received heavy rain
showers.The brezze made it feel cold.The periods
drizzle continued on and off until midday when the
clouds just vanished.The sun was out in force and the
glare of the sun was unbearable at times.High Pressure
is building south of us which should dry us out and
give a short  well needed break from the rain .The
satellite below shows the clearing condition across
the island and the surface analysis


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

GIF image


- rain rain rain
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:07:27 +0000
Yes, nuff rain yesterday and today looks "dutch" again - meaning overcast, looking like it may rain or it may not and if it does it's steady rain, not your regular tropical storm.

I escaped most of it yesterday as i was in MoBay and it just drizzled overthere for most of the day. Back in Negril the roads are so wet nuff rain must have fallen here and there are still puddles of water outside the house.

Nice cool temperatures though for a change, wonderful!

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Live Search, for accurate results! http://www.live.nl


- Stormy Day In Jamaica improving conditions tommorow
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:16:14 -0800 (PST)
Today was  a rainy and stormy day in much of
Jamaica.There were some instances of flooding in
Eastern parish in which roads were innundated with
flood water,wThe waters has since receded except for a
road in (central Jamaica)Manchester were flood waters
are not receding and also a huge boulder which have
been washed into the road in the Above Rocks area of
St Andrew However the National work     Agency is working
on the sitution and motorist are asked to use the
alternate routes.In  Montego Bay,we had more dark and
threathening clouds that anything else light rain fell
in the early morning hours and around 6pm this
afternoon a few sprinkles,but on the good side today
was cool and refreshing the temperature ony got up to
30c at midday but for most of the day It was below
27c.Which is cooled by Jamaican standards.I recorded
only 5.08mm(0.20in).The pressure fell to 1010mb
(located over C29.82hg)
Todays heavy rainfall and gusty winds (sustained
25mph/21kts inKingston at 4pm) were assoicatedwestward 
moving tropical wave interacting with a cold front
located over Central Bahamas and Eastern Cuba,As I
type conditions are improving the presure has been
steadly rising (1012mb/29.88hg)outside the skies are
clearing up but is still cloudy.

The Tropical wave is been torn apart by unfavorable
upper level winds and because of that will be torn in
two partsthe northern part of the wave will be pulled
NE towards the Bahamas and Bermuda over the Next
couple of days and the rest will continue westward
towards the Yucatan Channel.Unsettled Weather will
however  continue over the Western and Central
Caribbean over the next couple of days.The models no
longer develop the system.
Weather Question:Do you know the difference between
Rain and Drizzle                                                                
                                
Drizzle is much lighter and numerous and are less than
0.5mm in sizeare associated with low clouds,fog and
low visibility.Drizzle seem to be floating from the
air and do not splash as it touches surfaces.While
rain is larger than 0.5mm,splashes when comes in
contact with surfaces .
Rain and Drizzle are actually formed in the same way,
i.e. a cloud becoming saturated and the "excess"
falling in the form of rain or drizzle. The difference
between rain and drizzle is simply the size of the
drop. The size of the drop depends upon the depth of
the cloud that it falls out of.  The deeper the cloud,
the bigger the drop. Think of it like this: Drops all
start out the same size(very tiny), but the longer it
takes for the drops to fall out of the cloud, the more
time they have to run into each other and combine to
bigger drops. Example: A thunderstorm can be 10?s of
thousands of feet deep, and big large drops fall from
them. However, the low clouds and fog that form under
the right conditions can be only a few hundred feet
deep! These clouds produce drizzle drops that are so
tiny that you can?t easily see them, but can feel them
on your face.   




 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Check out the New Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things 
done faster. 
(http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta) 

JPEG image

GIF image


- Better Late than Never
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 15:36:07 -0500
Well, we wondered what happened to the October rains. Wonder no more, they are here in force, and from the look of the radar are here for a few days.
 
Thea, I love the "crunchies", very satisfying when you get up in the night and step on the likkle critters - they go crunch and then curl up in a little ball, then you toss them out the door.
 
For the uninformed, I have no idea what they are, so this is the true uninformed teaching you, they look like a little worm, except they have a hard outer skin and when you pick them up they have lots of little legs. Anyway - they go "crunch in the night"
 
Raining goats and pigs here in Ochi, I am sure the reports of flooding will be coming in. The ground is so dry and hard that the water is going to run off instead of soaking in.
 
Stay Dry
 
Sue M

- zoo
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:55:04 +0000
Haha Sue, i can so relate to your story of the island's animals! Just this morning i told my boyfriend it's a real zoo out here. We just moved to another house and it seems the "locals" still have to move out. We've had mice, slugs, lizzards, ants and something we call crunchies (they crunch when you accidentally step on them).They invade the house in the night, sort of like the body snatchers! I'm so glad we don't have roaches, because they are the only ones that really freak me out. Although the mosquitoes are doing a great job of driving me crazy.

As for the weather .. we have had some serious rain just now accompanied by thunder. It's been a while since rain fell on this part of West End of Negril. My guess is the beach has had more rain over the past weeks, we often see the clouds roll on by.

The sun is back, but i see more dark skies ahead. Maybe more rain later.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Play online games with your friends with Messenger http://www.join.msn.com/messenger/overview


- Oh What a Beautiful Morning
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 06:35:12 -0500
The sun is peeping over the horizon, temps are coooooooooool, the sea is flat and the wind has not yet woken up.
 
This is truly a beautiful Autumn morning in Ochi, the only noise I hear is my wretched dogs scratching at the never ending supply of ticks they seem to manufacture during the course of the night. Not sure why this year has been particularly bad for ticks, some say it is the intense heat and long dry period. I don't know, but I wish someone would come up with something that works to get rid of them. I have tries all the shampoos, once a month t'ings, powder etc. To no avail
 
We had some heavy rain yesterday which caused a few problems with run off, but 30 minutes later, all that was left were a few puddles and road rubbish and wash at the bottom of the drive way.
 
My house has become a home for wayward creatures, the lizards are knocking the picture frames off the walls as they are getting too fat to hide behind them, there is a large land crab that has taken up residence behind my water heater, not sure what is in residence behind the washing machine - but I am sure I will find out, and to top it all off, a fruit bat decided to fly in the open bedroom window and set up house in the closet. I think I will have to get rental agreements made up as my house seems to have become premium space.
 
Ya gotta love the islands - life and nature at it's best
 
Have a great day
Sue M

- Tropical Waveover Jamaica;Invest 93L update
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 18:07:39 -0700 (PDT)
      Today was a warm day in  Montego Bay ,but the
humidity made it feel 
hot.The day progressed under mostly partly cloudy
skies until A 
Tropical Wave passed over us Which brought rain 3:18
,We had few 
only a few .
light showers of rain which was on and off for 45
mins.Which cooled us 
off and watered our gardens I recorded
3.85mm(0.15inches).We should 
get some sunshine before Monday (unless some
prefrontal arc clouds 
currently over Cayman drift to us) when the Tropical
Wave currently 
South of Puerto Rico should enhance showers and
thunderstorms across 
the island.Todays high 32.3(90.0)F The low
24.6C(76.3)F.
                                                      
                                                      
                                                    

Yesterday I spoke about a Tropical Disturbance,Which
was at the time 
affecting the Eastern Caribbean.It has since left them
and has it sights 
set on the Central and Western Caribbean.Barbados
picked up 
20.30mm(0.80in) from 8 am yesterday to 8am today and
Guadeloupe  
0.57in.The system looks less organized than yesterday
but still pose a 
threat even If it does not develop
Dom.Republic,Haiti,Cuba and us in 
Jamaica could get some really heavy rain out of it
.The disturbance is 
under 10 kts shear which would allow for some slow
development of the 
system.The models are indicting that if the
disturbance crosses Cuba and 
enters the Bahamas it may develop as early as next
week so we should 
keep a very close eye on it.I leave you with 1....
(Satellite 
showing tropical wave across the island
.)2...18zcaribbean surface analysis 3 satelite showing
Invest 93L



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Cheap Talk? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates 
(http://voice.yahoo.com)

JPEG image

GIF image

JPEG image


- Heavy rain overnight;Invest93L
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:00:34 -0700 (PDT)
This morning started with a bang! Heavy rain started in the early morning hours.I was awoken out of my sleep by the water gushing off the roof,I was too tired to even check the time,but I can tell it rained for at least 15minutes.When I woke this morning ,It was still overcast,with a breeze at 8mph.It was one of those fresh,cooler and pleasant mornings.The cloudiness continued right through the day but things are improving now the pressure is going up from1011mm 3hrsago to1013mb currently and the humidity is tending down from 94% an hour ago to 84% now.I recorded 27.94mm(1.01inches) While the Airport 10 minutes drive west recorded 10.5mm (.41inch).They had only light rain 3-4am nothing like the downpour we had.The highest temperature at my personal weather station today was only 31.1C(88.0)Fand the low 24.8C(76.6)F. The satellite (below)shows Showers and thunderstorms across the entire island with the most intense across central and western parishes ,all this associated with a stalled dissipating cold front which extends from the Tropical Atlantic to just north of Dom. Republic a instability extends from the cold front through Hispaniola through Jamaica -Yucatan peninsula. AT 24-36 HRS THE FRONT WILL WEAKEN WHILE SLOWLY LIFTING NORTH OF 23N. THIS IS TO MEANWHILE FAVOR ISOLATED TO SCATTERED CONVECTION ACROSS PUERTORICO-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND CUBA...WITHACCUMULATION OF 05-15MM/DAY AND MAXIMA OF 25MM. SCATTERED CONVECTION IS EXPECTED OVER JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS WITH ACCUMULATION OF 10-20MM AND MAXIMA OF 25-50MM THROUGH 36 HRS. Elsewhere A westward moving tropical wave (93L) which at 7:00pm was 80 miles north of Barbados has gotten better organized and I checked the wind shear (below) which revealed the system is under 5 knots of shear (shaded in black)which should allow for more development,and the shear is forecasted to remain below 15kts for the next days,which allow for some development.Some of the less reliable models develop the disturbance into a Tropical Storm as early as Tuesday but none of the Global models such as the gfs do so and wind shear should increase after two days make development difficult but We should keep a watchful eye as so far this year Alberto and Ernesto developed under similar conditions.The models take it near Dominican Republic on Sunday through Monday and will bring heavy rain to the Island of Hispaniola We should get the rain Monday night or Tuesday.


We have the perfect Group for you. Check out the handy changes to Yahoo! Groups.

JPEG image

GIF image


- Moving Day??
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 08:56:32 -0500
Well, the Man Upstairs is moving the heavy furniture around this morning right above Ocho Rios!!
 
Heavy thunder rolling, with rain showers off and on, at times quite heavy. From the look of the satellite images, we are going to have this weather over the next few days. Rain, sun, rain, sun - I look at it as natural cooling off for those who want to lay out and get a tan.
 
The sun is shining brightly right at this moment, while the big dark clouds are getting ever closer. Thank goodness I am not driving my jeep today. Woo, some serious thunder right now, the next will be the electrickery going off - time to go
 
Enjoy your Friday where ever you are
 
Sue M

- Thunder & Rain
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:34:44 -0500
Heavy Thunder boomers in the distance, indication of what is in store for at least the morning in Ochi. Light rain is falling and it is very dark, still need the lights on if you don't want to fall down like Dear Miss Mermaid from Tortola and seriously damage something.
 
It is lovely to hear the rain falling, the temps are great, gotta go and hunt out the brolly. Oh my, just remembered - NO wind shield wiper motor yet!!!!! That mechanic better head for the hills as I am on my way (as soon as it stops raining) to see him
 
Sue M

- airwaves
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 16:10:36 +0000
Boy Sue can i relate to what you say about communications in the islands! it's been days now i'm trying to get online. On top of all that my dutch phone with roaming decided to quit on me too. Fortunately digicel still working.

As to the weather, it's been beautiful on this side of the island as well. Sunny days with some clouds, some rain here or there. A nice cool breeze often.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Live Search, for accurate results! http://www.live.nl


- Just perfect
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 05:58:49 -0500
Greetings finally from Ochi - this wonderful modern age of technology & electronics leaves a lot to be desired at times when living in the islands - but that as always is another long saga.
 
The weather in Ocho Rios has been nothing short of PERFECT- splendid, fabulous, splendiferous or whatever adjective you want to use.
 
I always get out of my bed before daylight (why!!!! - have no clue!) - but that is certainly the greatest time of the day, it is cool, calm, the sea is like a sheet of glass and you get to watch the sun pop her head over the horizon and hear the world wake up.
 
We have had a likkle rain off and on (not like our neighbours to the east) during the evening hours, the days are great, beautiful sunshine, gentle breeze blowing, wonderful ocean temps. This truly is the perfect time of the year. My children in the far north are busy getting their furnaces serviced, fuel tanks filled and hunting for winter woollies - it won't be long before the phone rings and I hear "Mum - we are thinking of coming to visit"
 
My advice to all in the north who are feeling a bit chilly at the moment - Come on Down - tis delightful in Ochi
 
Have a Wonderful Day All
Sue M

- Sunny days Partly clouds nights ;Weather summary
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:55:06 -0700 (PDT)
Beautiful weather has been the order of the day in
Montego Bay today.Very few clouds a lone Cumulonimbus
cloud to my east.For most of today the typical winds
from the NE which ranged today from 8-10mph.They have
switched from the east.The satellite shows
thunderstorm to the east . North of MandevilleWest of
Ocho RiousThis is associated with a Surface to Upper
Level Trough west of the island.There is a very weak 
cold front  extending from central Bahamas - Central
Cuba-Belize.The front is stalled and will not affect
us.It will gradually  dissipate as a high Pressure
Ridge pushes into the area late Wednesday.We should
look for mostly partly cloudy conditions with barely a
chance of a shower Elsewhere There is a Tropical wave
east of Lesser Antilles It should continue to creep to
the islands over the next couple days but the heaviest
of it should across the Atlantic I leave you today
with some satellite pictures first the thunderstorms
to my east......2 general Infrared of the
hemisphere.....3 wave east of the Lesser
Antilles....... 4  18z Western TRPCL surface analysis.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image

JPEG image

JPEG image

GIF image


- Heavy rainfall experienced today
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 16:58:14 -0700 (PDT)
Today was sunny,The Air pressure up to 1015mb this
morning.Sudenly at 4:15 dark stratus clouds came
unshore clipping us along the coast with rain .It
started out as light rain but at 4:20 It came really
hard.There was no lighting .I
recorded1.50inches(38.1mm) which fell in 15minutes.t
has stopped raining the sky still dark but improving
there is a orange-red clouds in between the dark ones
to the ne.It is now 6:30 the showers are now offshore
to the north and east .A section of the system comes
onshore near Negril but  continues to move to the nw
in general direction of the Caymans. improving
conditions can be expected Tonignt.Todays high got up
to 31.9(c)/89.4(f).The Low 24.5(c)/76.1(f).The
humidity got up to before rain 100% and down to 52%
around 1pm.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image


- Heavy rainfall experienced today
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 16:56:32 -0700 (PDT)
Today was sunny,The Air pressure up to 1015mb this
morning.Sudenly at 4:15 dark stratus clouds came
unshore clipping us along the coast with rain .It
started out as light rain but at 4:20 It came really
hard.There was no lighting .I
recorded1.50inches(38.1mm) which fell in 15minutes.t
has stopped raining the sky still dark but improving
there is a orange-red clouds in between the dark ones
to the ne.It is now 6:30 the showers are now offshore
to the north and east .A section of the system comes
onshore near Negril but  continues to move to the nw
in general direction of the Caymans. improving
conditions can be expected Tonignt.Todays high got up
to 31.9(c)/89.4(f).The Low 24.5(c)/76.1(f).The
humidity got up to before rain 100% and down to 52%
around 1pm.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

JPEG image


- LightRain;90L,Tropical wave and Leeward Islands
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 19:20:43 -0700 (PDT)
                                                      
                                                      
                                                      
                            
Today it rain for the first since October 7th.It
started in the afternoon at 5pm and continued to
6:30.It was a drizzle to a light rain at times I
measured 8 mm(.3 inches) which is a far cry from what
our neighbors in the Leeward Islands have been
experiencing.What have been amazing have been the air
pressure way below normal for the past 2 days between
1006mb-1009mb.I checked the GFS Model Caribbean
http://www.edwards.af.mil/models/avn00/APSFC00.jpg    
Which revealed that the entire basin is about 1010mb,
but across Jamaica and Eastern Dominican Republic to
Puerto Rico is lower.There  is low pressure area near
Hispanola around 18n65w. A weak pressure gradient
persist over the Greater Antilles which has help to
trigger the showers we had today.The gfs has the weak
pressure gradient crumbling  and rising pressures.In
the Greater Antiles the pressure should rise in 48 hrs
to1012 and Lesser to 1014mb. Heavy Rains have continue
to affect the Northern Lesser Antilles.This has been
due to an area of low pressure just northeast of
Puerto Rico (90L).It has been producing heavy Rain and
gusty winds.Five inches 127mmof rain fell in the
Virgin Islands Yesterday and It is still raining the
current observation out of Christiansted, Henry E.
Rohlsen Airport, Virgin Islands
http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/TISX.html
shows heavy rains  sustained winds of 15mph and
gusting to 24mph(21kts).The Radar out of Martinique
http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/pack-public/animation/animMOSAIC2.html
shows heavy rain (tropical wave)over Martinique and
disorganised shows and thunderstorms over Virgin
Islands .The Puerto Rico out of Puerto Rico has failed
so unfortunetly Ihave no doppler for you.90L is slowly
moving ne and Tropical Development is not impossible
but unlikely.The system should be away from all land
by saturday night so look improving conditions in the
Leeward islands.




__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- clouds
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:48:06 +0000
It's been a lot of the same old same old here. Yesterday was very hot, today was nice and cool most of the time as the sky was overcast almost all day. It rained a lot in Savanna-la-Mar, but only very locally in Negril.

We are blessed.

One Love from Negril
Thea

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail en Messenger on the move http://www.msn.nl/services


- fireworks display
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:08:39 -0500
What a fabulous display of fireworks coming from Reggae Beach just up the coast. Tis time for the big "Frenchman's Party"
The highlight of the weekend. The holiday tomorrow is to recover
 
Time to get ready and go join the fun.
 
Sue M 
 
 

- Strong Earthquake affect Hawaii:No Tsunami threat
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 17:26:46 -0700 (PDT)


                                                      
                                                      
                                                      
                            




Today was a sunny day.A few cumulus clouds here and
there.Lower humidiy a perfect beach day.Only one
noteworthy feature in the Tropics a Tropical
Disturbance off the Texas coast 
http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/post-goes    
     It looks quite impressive but development is
unlikely it is under 15kts of windshear
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/shr_00.gif  Which
would normally allow for slow strengthing,But the
disturbance should go onshore the Eastern Texas
Soutern Louisana area, dumping 4-8in as it coninues
northward.                                            
      The latest quikscat
http://manati.orbit.nesdis.noaa.gov/dataimages21/cur/zooms/WMBds13.png
shows 30kts/35mph winds off the Texas.The trough
across http://stormcarib.com/mysat.cgi Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands is still lingering and should
continue to producer rain in that area.


Earthquake
A series of two dozen
earthquakes and aftershocks rocked the Hawaiian
islands this
morning, knocking out power, startling residents and
tourists
and causing some damage but no reported fatalities.

A series of two dozen
earthquakes and aftershocks rocked the Hawaiian
islands this
morning, knocking out power, startling residents and
tourists
and causing some damage but no reported fatalities. 

A 6.6 magnitude quake hit shortly after 7 a.m. local
time, 10 a.m. Pacific time, and nearly
two dozen aftershocks have followed, including one
measuring 5.8, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey. 

The largest temblor occurred about 10 miles
north-northwest of Kailua Kona, a town on
the west coast of the Big Island. 

The quake caused a landslide that blocked a highway on
Hawaii Island. Power outages
and spotty telephone reception prevented definitive
reports of damage, but unconfirmed
reports included collapsed ceilings and other
structural damage in homes and businesses.
A hospital on the Big Island was reportedly evacuated
because of structural damage.To add fire to fury a
cold front front is affecting the westernt islands and
flood watches have been posted. Lukily there is no
threat of a.Tsunami


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- local showers
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 14:28:19 +0000
And very local they are .. you can drive in and out of them! I have managed to not get rained on the past days, but as said, it just depends where you are. They may hit you and they may not. There are nuff activities over the weekend in Negril, let's hope they manage to keep it dry.

Sunday and another beautiful start of the day. The sat pic shows some major activity on the ocean, let's hope it travels north.

One Love from Negril
Thea



- refreshing rain
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:04:34 -0500
Unfortunately for some of the parties this weekend, the rain is falling in Ochi. Started sometime in the night, I remember rolling over in bed thinking - "forgot to bring in the washing" - never mind, it is getting an extra rinse.
 
Went swimming with the dogs yesterday afternoon, it has been so humid the last few days and evenings, we are all melting away and spending too much time outdoors results in ruined hairdo's and dripping clothing. The water temp is really warm, bet all those visitors from Buffalo are having a wonderful time. It was more like taking a tepid bath, than a refreshing swim. The breeze blowing when we got out of the water was the cooling factor. Tides are really high at the moment, so it is great for snorkeling.
 
Lots of partying going on last night and many more to come tonight and tomorrow while we all celebrate Heroes' Day. Some of us have to work, but that is okay, we really don't mind!!
 
Not sure if this posting is going to make it through. Our wonderful main internet provider (C&W),is having trouble with one of their servers!!!!!! "One server is down madam", they tell me after I call to complain that many of the emails I am sending out are coming back as undeliverable, and almost no emails are coming in.
I very politely request information from the "Customer Care" operator as to when this dilemma might possible be fixed so we can all go about our business of trying to conduct our business.
"Within 72 hours we should have the server back on line", I was very politely told. I guess my silence must have been prolonged, as the "Customer Care" operator piped up "hello, hello are you still on the line"
On the line, I am in total shock. I politely explain to the "customer care" operator, that 72 hours equates to 3 days. Have all the technicians gone off on holiday for the long 3 day weekend I ask, it seems coincidence that the server will be back up and running after the holiday weekend!!!!! Seems like a big plot is in the works to me.
 
Well, seems to me, that if this is the way it is, we all gotta just kick back, enjoy the weekend - no problem mon- and forget about trying to run our 24/7 businesses for the next 3 days. None of us know what emails went through and which are still in the process of bouncing back. Plenty time to pick up the pieces on Tuesday.
Ya gotta love it
 
Enjoy the holiday
 
Sue M

- Highpressure dominant:Jamaica Climate lesson (corrected)
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 12:21:37 -0700 (PDT)
High pressure is in control today,  It wonderful day
to hit the beach.It is bright and sunny but not hot a
cool seabreeze from the NE ranging from 3-10mph and
lower than normal humdity (65%) makes today plesant.  
There are no worries in the Tropics,90L has fallen
apart.     A area of disturbed weather in the Western
Gulf of Mexico is
under 40kts of shear and will not develop any time
soon.    Today I will be teaching you about the
climate of my island and the factors that affect our
weather.                                              
                                                      
                            General.......   Jamaica
is an island with an area of 11,244 square
kilometres(or about 4,411 squaremiles).    The island
is surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea 
  and is ocated in theTropics at approximately
latitude 18N and longitude 77W,   which is about4.5
degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer or about midway
between the southern tip of Florida and the Panama
Canal.        The Time Meridian is 75degrees West,
hence the Time Zone is Eastern Standard Time with
0000-hours being midnight or 0500-hoursUniversal
Coordinated Time (UTC) and 1200-hours being noon or
1700-hours UTC.           Among the most important 
climatic influences are the Northeast Trade Winds, the
range of mountains which runs east-southeast to
west-southwest along the centre of the island,     the
warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, and weather systems
such as upper-and low-level low-pressure centres,
troughs and cold fronts.         The cold fronts,
usually weak after migrating from the North American
continent, are evident from mid-October to mid-April;
whilst the Tropical Weather
 Systems, namely Tropical Waves, Tropical Depressions,
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes occur from April to
  December. The official hurricane season is from June
to November.The national Meteorological Service in
Jamaica maintains 24-hour communication withthe
National and Regional Hurricane Centre in Florida,
USA, especially during thehurricane season, thereby
ensuring the timely dissemination of forecasts and
warnings.                                             
   Rainfall......     Of theweather parameters,
rainfall is the most variable.Islandwide, during the
period 1951 to 1980, annual rainfall ranged
from a maximum of 2593 millimetres(102.09 inches) in
1963 to a minimum of 1324millimetres (52.13 inches) in
  1976 with an average of1940 millimetres (76.38
inches) annually.               Thehundred-year
(1881-1990) mean annual  rainfall is 1895 millimetres
(74.61 inches).          Historically, the wettest
yearon record was 1933 with an annual rainfall of
2690millimetres (116.54 inches) whilst the driest year
was1920 with an annual rainfall of 1299 millimet 
(51.14inches)       .      Some mountainous areas in
the islands northeastreceive more than 5080
millimetres (200 inches)annually,     whilst coastal
areas to the southeast andsouth-centre receive less
than 889 millimetres (35inches)annually.         
Yearly, most areas of the island have two distinct
wetseasons,     May to June and September
toNovember;these wet seasons occur as regularly yearly
cycles.        Most of the rainfall during the May to
June period is as a result of the periodic march of
solar radiation intensity       ,which peaks at that
time. During the period September
    to November the rainfall is more directly the
result of the lifting and movement of the sub-tropical
high-pressure
 cell in the Atlantic Ocean.      Such behaviour
deepens theeasterly Trades, allowing instability zones
to develop;as
  such, a significant portion of the rainfall during
this period is produced by upper- and low-level
troughs, tropical
  waves, tropical depressions, tropical storms and
hurricanes.             The driest period is usually
December to March. Most
   ofthe rainfall during this period is associated
with coldfronts migrating from North America.         
  Whether during the dry
  or rainy season, however, otherrain-producing
systems are influenced by the seabreeze and orographic
effe which tend to produce short-duration showers,
mainly during mid-afternoon.                      
Temperature ......Temperatures in coastal
  areas are comfortably warm, becoming cooler in the
hilly and mountainous regions in the centre of the
island,               but
  moreso in the Blue Mountain range with a peak of
2256 metres (7,402 feet).                         
Apart from rapid fluctuations
   associated with afternoon showers and/or the
passage of frontal systems, the islands temperatures
remain fairly
 constant throughout the year under the moderating
influence of the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.    
             In coastal
  areas, daily temperatures average 26.2 degrees
Celsius (79.2F), with an average maximum of 30.3C
(86.5F)
and an average minimum of 22.0C (71.6F).              
         Inland, temperature values are lower,
depending on elevation but,
  regardless of elevation, the warmest months are June
to August and the coolest December to February. The
diurn   range of temperature is much greater than the
annual range and exceeds 11.0C or 20F in mountainous
areas of
 the interior.                      Night-time values
range from 18.9 to 25.6C (66 to 78.1F) in coastal
areas. At elevations above 610 metres (2000 feet),
minimum temperature of the order of 10C (50F) have
been reported occasionally when
 active cold fronts reach the island.                 
           Winds For most of the year, the daily wind
pattern is dominated by the
Northeast Trades. By day on the North Coast, the sea
breeze combines with the Trades to give an
east-northeasterly wind at an average speed of 15
knots (17 miles per hour), and along the South Coast, 
      an
east-southeasterly wind with an average speed of 18
knots (21 miles per hour). In the period December to
March,
 however,            the Trades are lowest and the
local wind regime is a combination of trades, sea
breeze, and a northerly or
  northwesterly component associated with cold fronts
and high-pressure areas from the United States.       
       By night, the
 trades combine with land breezes which blow offshore
down the slopes of the hills near the coasts.         
       As a result, on
 the North Coast, nighttime winds generally have a
southerly component with a mean speed of 5 knots (6
miles per
 hour) and on the South Coast, a northerly component
with a mean speed of 7 knots (8 miles per hour).      
             By day,
  from June to July, mean onshore winds often reach a
maximum of up to 23 knots (26 miles per hour) along
the
   North Coast and 26 knots (30 miles per hour) along
the South Coast during mid-afternoon.                 
However, winds are
 generally lighter inland and towards the west. Calms,
therefore, attain their highest frequency in the
western
   extremity of the island and in the two intervening
periods between the full development of the land and
sea
    breezes.                             
Sunshine..... Variations of sunshine from month to
month in any area are usually small, approximately one
 hour.       Differences, however, are much greater
between coastal and inland stations. Maximum
day-length occurs is June when 13.2 hours of sunshine
are possible and the minimum day-length occurs in
December when 11.0 hours    
   of sunshine are possible.     However, the mean
sunshine in mountainous areas is less than 6 hours per
day, while in
 coastal areas it is near 8 hours per day.    The
shorter duration in the hilly areas is caused mainly
by the persistence of
clouds.                   Relative Humidity.....
Afternoon showers are the major cause of most daily
variations in relative humidity.       Highest values
recorded during the cooler morning hours near dawn,
followed by a decrease until the early
 afternoon when temperatures are highest.     
Although relative humidity in coastal areas average
84% at 7 a.m.
temperatures at this time are in the mid 20s (C),
therefore, little or no discomfort results.      At 1
p.m. the average   relative humidity on the coasts is
71% while values in the plains will average about 77%
reflecting the effects of
afternoon showers in the nearby hills. Credit :Met
office Jamaica 



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- High Pressure dominant;Jamaica climate lesson
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:54:53 -0700 (PDT)
High pressure is in control today,It wonderful day to hit the beach.It is bright and sunny but not hot a cool seabreeze from the NE ranging from 3-10mph and lower than normal humdity (65%) makes today plesant.There are no worries in the Tropics,90L has fallen apart.A area of disturbed weather in the Western Gulf of Mexico is under 40kts of shear and will not develop any time soon.Today I will be teaching you about the climate of my island and the factors that affect our weather. General Jamaica is an island with an area of 11,244 square kilometres (or about 4,411 squaremiles). The island is surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and islocated in theTropics at approximately latitude 18¼N and longitude 77¼W, which is about4.5 degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer or about midway between the southern tip ofFlorida and the Panama Canal.The Time Meridian is 75 degrees West, hence the Time Zone is Eastern Standard Time with 0000-hours being midnight or 0500-hours Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and 1200-hours being noon or 1700-hours UTC.Among the most important climatic influences are the Northeast Trade Winds, the range of mountains which runs east-southeast to west-southwest along the centre of the island, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, and weather systems such as upper-and low-level low-pressure centres, troughs and cold fronts. The cold fronts, usually weak after migrating from the North American continent, are evident from mid-October to mid-April; whilst the Tropical Weather Systems, namely Tropical Waves, Tropical Depressions, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes occur from April to December. The official hurricane season is from June to November.The national Meteorological Service in Jamaica maintains 24-hour communication withthe National and Regional Hurricane Centre in Florida, USA, especially during thehurricane season, thereby ensuring the timely dissemination of forecasts and warnings. Rainfall Of the weather parameters, rainfall is the most variable.Islandwide, during the period 1951 to 1980, annual rainfall ranged from a maximum of 2593 millimetres(102.09 inches) in 1963 to a minimum of 1324millimetres (52.13 inches) in 1976 with an average of1940 millimetres (76.38 inches) annually.Thehundred-year (1881-1990) mean annual rainfall is 1895 millimetres (74.61 inches). Historically, the wettest yearon record was 1933 with an annual rainfall of 2690millimetres (116.54 inches) whilst the driest year was1920 with an annual rainfall of 1299 millimetres (51.14inches).Some mountainous areas in the islandÕs northeastreceive more than 5080 millimetres (200 inches)annually,whilst coastal areas to the southeast andsouth-centre receive less than 889 millimetres (35inches) annually.Yearly, most areas of the island have two distinct wetseasons, May to June and September to November;these wet seasons occur as regularly yearly cycles. Most of the rainfall during the May to June period is as aresult of the periodic march of solar radiation intensity,which peaks at that time. During the period September to November the rainfall is more directly the result of the lifting and movement of the sub-tropical high-pressure cell in the Atlantic Ocean. Such behaviour deepens theeasterly Trades, allowing instability zones to develop;as such, a significant portion of the rainfall during this period is produced by upper- and low-level troughs, tropical waves, tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.The driest period is usually December to March. Most ofthe rainfall during this period is associated with coldfronts migrating from North America. Whether during the dry or rainy season, however, otherrain-producing systems are influenced by the seabreeze and orographic effects which tend to produce short-duration showers, mainly during mid-afternoon. Temperature Temperatures in coastal areas are comfortably warm, becoming cooler in the hilly and mountainous regions in the centre of the island, but moreso in the Blue Mountain range with a peak of 2256 metres (7,402 feet). Apart from rapid fluctuations associated with afternoon showers and/or the passage of frontal systems, the islandÕs temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year under the moderating influence of the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. In coastal areas, daily temperatures average 26.2 degrees Celsius (79.2¼F), with an average maximum of 30.3¼C (86.5¼F) and an average minimum of 22.0¼C (71.6¼F). Inland, temperature values are lower, depending on elevation but, regardless of elevation, the warmest months are June to August and the coolest December to February. The diurnal range of temperature is much greater than the annual range and exceeds 11.0¼C or 20¼F in mountainous areas of the interior. Night-time values range from 18.9 to 25.6¼C (66 to 78.1¼F) in coastal areas. At elevations above 610 metres (2000 feet), minimum temperature of the order of 10¼C (50¼F) have been reported occasionally when active cold fronts reach the island. Winds For most of the year, the daily wind pattern is dominated by the Northeast Trades. By day on the North Coast, the sea breeze combines with the Trades to give an east-northeasterly wind at an average speed of 15 knots (17 miles per hour), and along the South Coast, an east-southeasterly wind with an average speed of 18 knots (21 miles per hour). In the period December to March, however, the Trades are lowest and the local wind regime is a combination of trades, sea breeze, and a northerly or northwesterly component associated with cold fronts and high-pressure areas from the United States. By night, the trades combine with land breezes which blow offshore down the slopes of the hills near the coasts. As a result, on the North Coast, nighttime winds generally have a southerly component with a mean speed of 5 knots (6 miles per hour) and on the South Coast, a northerly component with a mean speed of 7 knots (8 miles per hour). By day, from June to July, mean onshore winds often reach a maximum of up to 23 knots (26 miles per hour) along the North Coast and 26 knots (30 miles per hour) along the South Coast during mid-afternoon. However, winds are generally lighter inland and towards the west. Calms, therefore, attain their highest frequency in the western extremity of the island and in the two intervening periods between the full development of the land and sea breezes. Sunshine Variations of sunshine from month to month in any area are usually small, approximately one hour. Differences, however, are much greater between coastal and inland stations. Maximum day-length occurs in June when 13.2 hours of sunshine are possible and the minimum day-length occurs in December when 11.0 hours of sunshine are possible. However, the mean sunshine in mountainous areas is less than 6 hours per day, while in coastal areas it is near 8 hours per day. The shorter duration in the hilly areas is caused mainly by the persistence of clouds. Relative Humidity Afternoon showers are the major cause of most daily variations in relative humidity. Highest values recorded during the cooler morning hours near dawn, followed by a decrease until the early afternoon when temperatures are highest. Although relative humidity in coastal areas average 84% at 7 a.m. temperatures at this time are in the mid 20Õs (¼C), therefore, little or no discomfort results. At 1 p.m. the average relative humidity on the coasts is 71% while values in the plains will average about 77% reflecting the effects of afternoon showers in the nearby hills. Credit :Met office Jamaica


Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.

- High Pressure dominant;Jamaica climate lesson
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:51:29 -0700 (PDT)
High pressure is in control today,It wonderful day to hit the beach.It is bright and sunny but not hot a cool seabreeze from the NE ranging from 3-10mph and lower than normal humdity (65%) makes today plesant.There are no worries in the Tropics,90L has fallen apart.A area of disturbed weather in the Western Gulf of Mexico is under 40kts of shear and will not develop any time soon.Today I will be teaching you about the climate of my island and the factors that affect our weather. General Jamaica is an island with an area of 11,244 square kilometres (or about 4,411 squaremiles). The island is surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and islocated in theTropics at approximately latitude 18¼N and longitude 77¼W, which is about4.5 degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer or about midway between the southern tip ofFlorida and the Panama Canal.The Time Meridian is 75 degrees West, hence the Time Zone is Eastern Standard Time with 0000-hours being midnight or 0500-hours Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and 1200-hours being noon or 1700-hours UTC.Among the most important climatic influences are the Northeast Trade Winds, the range of mountains which runs east-southeast to west-southwest along the centre of the island, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, and weather systems such as upper-and low-level low-pressure centres, troughs and cold fronts. The cold fronts, usually weak after migrating from the North American continent, are evident from mid-October to mid-April; whilst the Tropical Weather Systems, namely Tropical Waves, Tropical Depressions, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes occur from April to December. The official hurricane season is from June to November.The national Meteorological Service in Jamaica maintains 24-hour communication withthe National and Regional Hurricane Centre in Florida, USA, especially during thehurricane season, thereby ensuring the timely dissemination of forecasts and warnings. Rainfall Of the weather parameters, rainfall is the most variable.Islandwide, during the period 1951 to 1980, annual rainfall ranged from a maximum of 2593 millimetres(102.09 inches) in 1963 to a minimum of 1324millimetres (52.13 inches) in 1976 with an average of1940 millimetres (76.38 inches) annually.Thehundred-year (1881-1990) mean annual rainfall is 1895 millimetres (74.61 inches). Historically, the wettest yearon record was 1933 with an annual rainfall of 2690millimetres (116.54 inches) whilst the driest year was1920 with an annual rainfall of 1299 millimetres (51.14inches).Some mountainous areas in the islandÕs northeastreceive more than 5080 millimetres (200 inches)annually,whilst coastal areas to the southeast andsouth-centre receive less than 889 millimetres (35inches) annually.Yearly, most areas of the island have two distinct wetseasons, May to June and September to November;these wet seasons occur as regularly yearly cycles. Most of the rainfall during the May to June period is as aresult of the periodic march of solar radiation intensity,which peaks at that time. During the period September to November the rainfall is more directly the result of the lifting and movement of the sub-tropical high-pressure cell in the Atlantic Ocean. Such behaviour deepens theeasterly Trades, allowing instability zones to develop;as such, a significant portion of the rainfall during this period is produced by upper- and low-level troughs, tropical waves, tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.The driest period is usually December to March. Most ofthe rainfall during this period is associated with coldfronts migrating from North America. Whether during the dry or rainy season, however, otherrain-producing systems are influenced by the seabreeze and orographic effects which tend to produce short-duration showers, mainly during mid-afternoon. Temperature Temperatures in coastal areas are comfortably warm, becoming cooler in the hilly and mountainous regions in the centre of the island, but moreso in the Blue Mountain range with a peak of 2256 metres (7,402 feet). Apart from rapid fluctuations associated with afternoon showers and/or the passage of frontal systems, the islandÕs temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year under the moderating influence of the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. In coastal areas, daily temperatures average 26.2 degrees Celsius (79.2¼F), with an average maximum of 30.3¼C (86.5¼F) and an average minimum of 22.0¼C (71.6¼F). Inland, temperature values are lower, depending on elevation but, regardless of elevation, the warmest months are June to August and the coolest December to February. The diurnal range of temperature is much greater than the annual range and exceeds 11.0¼C or 20¼F in mountainous areas of the interior. Night-time values range from 18.9 to 25.6¼C (66 to 78.1¼F) in coastal areas. At elevations above 610 metres (2000 feet), minimum temperature of the order of 10¼C (50¼F) have been reported occasionally when active cold fronts reach the island. Winds For most of the year, the daily wind pattern is dominated by the Northeast Trades. By day on the North Coast, the sea breeze combines with the Trades to give an east-northeasterly wind at an average speed of 15 knots (17 miles per hour), and along the South Coast, an east-southeasterly wind with an average speed of 18 knots (21 miles per hour). In the period December to March, however, the Trades are lowest and the local wind regime is a combination of trades, sea breeze, and a northerly or northwesterly component associated with cold fronts and high-pressure areas from the United States. By night, the trades combine with land breezes which blow offshore down the slopes of the hills near the coasts. As a result, on the North Coast, nighttime winds generally have a southerly component with a mean speed of 5 knots (6 miles per hour) and on the South Coast, a northerly component with a mean speed of 7 knots (8 miles per hour). By day, from June to July, mean onshore winds often reach a maximum of up to 23 knots (26 miles per hour) along the North Coast and 26 knots (30 miles per hour) along the South Coast during mid-afternoon. However, winds are generally lighter inland and towards the west. Calms, therefore, attain their highest frequency in the western extremity of the island and in the two intervening periods between the full development of the land and sea breezes. Sunshine Variations of sunshine from month to month in any area are usually small, approximately one hour. Differences, however, are much greater between coastal and inland stations. Maximum day-length occurs in June when 13.2 hours of sunshine are possible and the minimum day-length occurs in December when 11.0 hours of sunshine are possible. However, the mean sunshine in mountainous areas is less than 6 hours per day, while in coastal areas it is near 8 hours per day. The shorter duration in the hilly areas is caused mainly by the persistence of clouds. Relative Humidity Afternoon showers are the major cause of most daily variations in relative humidity. Highest values recorded during the cooler morning hours near dawn, followed by a decrease until the early afternoon when temperatures are highest. Although relative humidity in coastal areas average 84% at 7 a.m. temperatures at this time are in the mid 20Õs (¼C), therefore, little or no discomfort results. At 1 p.m. the average relative humidity on the coasts is 71% while values in the plains will average about 77% reflecting the effects of afternoon showers in the nearby hills. Credit :Met office Jamaica

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com


- Sunny Days and 90L
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:41:44 -0700 (PDT)
Great weather has been the order of the past few
days,especially today, barely a cloudy in sight.High
pressure is the dominant feature affecting the Central
Caribbean .Which should persist.Allowing a gorgeous
weekend .Todays high got up to 32.6 The low 25.8.The
leeward Island have not been as lucky.The satellite
shows 
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/atlantic/images/xxirg8n.GIF
a trough extending from the North Atlantic cuts
through Northern leeward through to Venezula.The
trough should hang around providing shattered showers
and thunderstorms in the afternoon s.Also there is a
tropical disturbance 200 miles Nne of Puerto Rico.It
was responsible for the showers and thunderstorms
experienced in the Leeward Islands Wednesday and
Thursday.It was under 5-10 kts of shear and Tropical
development seemed possible .It has since move into a
less favorable environment and development is looking
less and less likely.Westerlies of 20-30 kts has
displaced the thunderstorms and the only significant
feature is a strong swirl. It appears that this system
will move to the west northwest and northwest into an
area of unfavorable conditions for tropical
development over the next couple of days before
turning southwest
and moving over Haiti and the Dominican Republic.This
should serve to destroy the circulation.  This is how
the models handle 90L
http://www.sfwmd.gov/org/omd/ops/weather/plots/storm_90.gif.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- Be Thankful
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 08:08:22 -0500
That we are not living in Buffalo New York. 15 inches of wet heavy snow in 9 hours. Phew, glad my shoveling days are just a memory.
 
Glorious weather in Ochi, warm, sunny, slight breeze, cool at night with a likkle rain. Crickets singing away - what more could we ask for.
 
I survived my trip to Kingston and after lengthy meetings, advised my comrades that I would see them again in about 6 months. Twice a year for this kid is enough for that trip. The countryside was magnificent though after the rains, the roadwork's are really coming along and soon we will have a super duper highway to the east. It will be a pleasure to make that journey to Port Antonio - which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
 
It is a holiday weekend in Jamaica, Monday is Heroes' Day, parties from Friday night to Monday night, then take next week to recover.
 
Enjoy
 
Sue M

- Oooops
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 05:04:10 -0500
Heads up everyone, take a wee peep over your shoulder to the east and keep a close eye
 
Sue m

- Oh Happy Days
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 22:11:42 -0500
We have just had the most fantastic 2 days in Ochi, just wish we could bottle up this weather and hold on to it. Mumma Nature - ya done good!!! Keep it up. My washing is all caught up and smells of sunshine and cool breeze.
 
November 30 is creeping ever closer, it really needs to hurry up as my hurricane box - What box !! yamon, you got it, used it all up completely. Must have been that few weeks when I refused to go to the grocery, just kept dipping right in to it. I suddenly realised over the weekend when we ran out of milk. Never mind I say - got plenty of that canned stuff in the hurricane box!!
 
I t'ink the duppy ransacked the box when I wasn't looking, either that or those wretched dogs have a royal feast when we are sleeping, no wonder they look so fat.
 
I am off on my twice yearly journey to Kingston tomorrow - I look forward to that as much as I look forward to going to the dentist. Kingston is only about 60 miles away, but it takes a good 2-2.5 hours to get there. Up hills, down dales, road construction, blind corners, road construction, trucks broken down, road construction, ya get the picture. It is my least favourite thing to do. Many people here do that trip every day to go to work, they deserve a medal and also a paid visit to the psychiatrist. We have major road construction every way you turn at the moment, one day we will have completed super highways so we can break every speed limit known to man. Really only 2 speeds in Jamaica - stopped and real fast. We wish people "safe travel" when they decide to drive to "town"
 
My kids thought I was mad when I complained about the trip over there, of course 60 miles on good roads where they live is a piece of cake, wasn't til they visited their mumma that they understood and started to show some sympathy. Such gratitude!
 
Worst part of the whole trip is that you have to do a return journey - well, that's what they make large bottles of wine for, has to be some compensation at the end of a torturous experience. Never mind, the sun will be shining brightly and the landscape is green. I will sit back and enjoy the ride.
 
Sue M
 
 

- Wonderful day in Mobay
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 17:22:00 -0700 (PDT)
Today was a wonderful day.Barely a cloud in sight just a few patchy cirrus clouds.It was bright and sunny cooled by the seabreeze.Today?s high got up to 90.3f/32.4c.... The low 77.7f/25.4c. FOUR FORECAST (met office) Wednesday...Shallow trough across the island. Thursday...Shallow trough across the island. Friday...Trough NE of the island. Saturday...Trough NE of the island. Wednesday Isolated afternoon showers. Thursday Isolated afternoon showers. Friday Isolated afternoon showers. Saturday Isolated afternoon showers. Elsewhere Satellite shows * The trough extending from the atlantic through the Bahamas across central Cuba to the Belize and Honduras. A tropical wave around 53w moving wnw at 10-15kts.Most of the thunderstorms with the wave will affect northernmost leeward Islands on wednesday It will then get deflected to the north from the antilles.There are no potential areas for development.


How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger?s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

- Sunny all day, First all week
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 17:15:57 -0700 (PDT)
Today for the first since last week, sunday,October
1st that Montego Bay has not picked up any
precipitation.This was due to a trough which was
over/near jamaica for most  of last week.This was what
I recorded each day    Sunday Oct 1   0.65inch/16.5mm
Monday 2nd  0.04inch/1 mm...  Tuesday 3rd trace .....
Wednesday 4th 0.15in/3.8mm Thursday 5th....0.85
inch/21.6mm....Friday 6th....0.60inch/
15.2mm....Saturday 7th 0.10/2.5mm  . Today the trough
is west of the island  affording us some
sunshine.There is very weak tropical wave east of
Jamaica along 71w with no associated convection just a
few scattered showers will occur over the eastern end
of the island and the usual  mountainous interior. 
Right now mostly clear  from mostly cloudy an hour
ago.Just a few cirrus clouds to the
northeast.currently (7:00pmTemp 27.8....Humdity 84%
Pressure 1013mb Winds.... calm Today's
high....91.2f/32.9c Low....79.7f/26.5c.                                         
                                In
the tropics                                                                     
The tropics is quiet the only
features is a upper level low  creating a large area
of thunderstorms off the coast of South Carolina.The
wind shear is relatively low (10kts) but will  not
persist long enough over warm waters to develop as
westerly winds will carry the disturbance towards ne
over cooler waters.The other feature is a area of
disturbed weather associated with the trough which has
been giving us so much rain.Wind shear is extremely
high (40kts) and development is impossible.El nino  is
ensuring a quiet time in atlantic Enjoy;


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- Sunshine on Sunday
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 11:48:33 -0500
What a glorious few days we have had in Ochi, today being no exception. Light breeze, wonderful temps, few white caps on the ocean, blue sky and bright sunshine
 
The heat is truly gone. We are getting the much needed rain showers, mostly in the evening hours which work perfectly for many, especially me who still DOES NOT have her windshield wiper motor installed. Enough is enough on that subject - mechanic really going to get "what-ho" in the morning !!
 
Everyone's humour is in much better standing as the irritability level due to too much heat has now diminished, even some of the drivers on the roads are giving way to other traffic - wonders will never cease
 
This is truly a magical time to visit Jamaica and see it at it's best
 
One Love
Sue M

- Pattern Remains Day 3 moderate-heavy rainfall(corrected)
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 22:19:31 -0700 (PDT)


                                                      
                                                      
                                                      
                            




For the Third day running we had rain occasionally
which became ocassional heavy at times.Tuesday ,the
fourth of september .I recorded .15in/3.8mm of
rainfall.Yesterday  I recorded a  amazing
.85/21.6mm.What was amazing was the time frame this
fell in 20 min .What was even more impreesive was the
pressure,Which fell from1012 to 1009 mb.The lowest
since Ernesto passed at its closest point near Jamaica
near Haiti peninsula.The results of yesterday's rains
are still evident as pebles and stones are all over
the road.The Airport 5 mi east only recorded 4.5mm.The
Thunderstorm were less intense in that area.Today I
recored .6in/15.2mm of rain .This occured on and of
and started 5pm up to 8pm.All this due to a trough
extending from the Atlantic into the Central
Caribbean.The trough has not moved much,and is not
expected to over the next  4 days.As the days heat up
the air becomes unstable causing a bubbling of
thunderstorms daily between 2pm and 5pm.These rains
have taken a toll
on the roads many pothole riddled roads are now dug
up.On the bright side everywhere has been transformed
with greenry.The air is fresh and cool,and i dont have
to water my garden.


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- Pattern remains Day 3 moderate-heavy rain
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 21:56:47 -0700 (PDT)


                                                      
                                                      
                                                      
           




                            For the Third day running
we had rain occasionally
                            which became ocassional
heavy at times.Tuesday ,the
                            fourth of september .I
recorded .15in/3.8mm of
                            rainfall.Yesterday  I
recorded a  amazing
                            .85/21.6mm.What was
amazing was the time frame this
                            fell in 20 min .What was
even more impreesive was the
                            pressure,Which fell
from1012 to 1009 mb.The lowest
                            since Ernesto passed at
its closest point near Jamaica
                            near Haiti peninsula.The
results of yesterday's rains
                            are still evident as
pebles and stones are all over
                            the road.The Airport 5 mi
east only recorded 4.5mm.The
                            Thunderstorm were less
intense in that area.Today I
                            recored .6in/15.2mm of
rain .This occured on and of
                            and started 5pm up to
8pm.The rains have taken a toll
                            on the roads many pothole
riddled roads are now dug
                            up.On the bright side
everywhere has been transformed
                            with greenry.The air is
fresh and cool,and i dont have
                            to water my garden.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- no lack of rain
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 17:23:36 +0000
Nuff rain over the past days, i even heard one driver say the farmers are starting to complain the land is becoming too wet! Ironically we had no water yesterday, all day, what a disaster in these temperatures and how grateful i feel once it's back.

Just checked out the satellite picture and so glad to see it clear. We are blessed.

One Love from Negril
Thea



- Lots of Rain
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 22:28:47 -0500
A wonderful lightning display was witnessed in Ochi last night, with lots of thunder and rain to complete the orchestra. This is a change from Reggae Music
 
this morning was wonderful and sunny and guess who washed a big load of towels!! and I don't have any of those wimpy sized towels in my house. Of course, you guessed it, off I went to work in the lovely sun and about 30 minutes later, down came the rain. Never mind, I have plenty more towels and then lots more in my hurricane suitcase, so bring on the rain. The grass is now green again and the shrubs and trees are standing up straight and tall. My dogs have become house cabbages and refuse to budge from the dry indoors. It takes my foot under their backsides to move them out in the morning when I leave for work. Just as well they don't live where it snows.
 
Cool and rainy at the moment and the odd thunder rumbling somewhere out there. Full moon is going to come and go and we probably won't be able to see it. My better half is already grumbling about the weather *S* Ya gotta love it!!
 
Enjoy the cool and refreshing rains
 
Sue M

- October Hurricane Outlook
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 19:00:30 -0700 (PDT)
Today Hurricane expert Dr.Jeff Master released his Hurricane outlook for October.This is his outlook.October Atlantic hurricane season outlook
We're in the home stretch now! For the first time since 1997, we've made it through September without a landfalling hurricane in the Atlantic (Ernesto and Florence came close, but didn't hit land as hurricanes). We now have only two more weeks of peak hurricane season left. While the season technically ends November 30, we can see that hurricane season slows down drastically around October 18 (Figure 1), thanks to increasing wind shear, cooling Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs), and an end to the tropical waves coming off the coast of Africa. With no major changes expected to the steering patterns or general atmospheric conditions over the Atlantic the next few weeks, I believe that we will go the remainder of this season without a landfalling hurricane in the Atlantic. It still pays to be vigilant, though--recall that at this time last year, Hurricane Stan was killing 1500 people in Central America, and we still had ten more named storms to go, including the strongest hurricane of all time, Wilma.


Figure 1. Climatological hurricane and tropical storm activity for the Atlantic.

Steering pattern
The steering pattern for October over the Atlantic will remain similar to what we've seen all of hurricane season. The jet stream is expected to stay active, bringing frequent troughs of low pressure over the Atlantic that will act to recurve any storm that approaches the Caribbean or U.S. East Coast. This pattern has been in place since early June. As we progress deeper into October, the troughs grow stronger and extend further south, making it very unlikely anything developing between Africa and the Lesser Antilles Islands will make landfall. Any landfalling storms will have to form from the the remains of old fronts that push off the U.S. coast.

Dry air
Dry air should not be as detrimental for tropical cyclone formation in October compared to previous months. The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) is most prevalent over the Atlantic in June and July, and is usually not in evidence much in October. The current SAL image shows very little dry air over the tropical Atlantic. The SAL is pretty much confined to the waters near the African coast. The 2-week outlook from the GFS model shows near-normal SAL activity, with no major SAL episodes over the tropical Atlantic.

Wind shear and El Niño
Wind shear over most of the tropical Atlantic has been near or below normal since early July. Climatologically, wind shear reaches its minimum in September, which is the same time that SSTs reach their peak. In October, wind shear normally begins to rise, which one can see in the plot for the eastern Caribbean (Figure 2, black line). The blue line in Figure 2 shows that in the past few days, wind shear has spiked to above normal values, and this is also occurring throughout the rest of the tropical Atlantic. This appears to be a temporary increase for the Caribbean; the latest 2-week wind shear outlook from the GFS model shows below-normal shear over most of the Caribbean next week. However, wind shear over the Gulf of Mexico and remainder of the tropical Atlantic is expected to be higher than normal the next two weeks.

Part of this increase in wind shear is probably due to El Niño. An El Niño event was officially declared by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center on September 13, when SSTs in the Equatorial Eastern Pacific reached +0.5ºC above normal, the threshold for a weak El Niño. El Niño continues to strengthen, and SSTs are almost a full degree Centigrade above normal now, the threshold for a moderate El Niño. SSTs are forecast to continue much above normal (Figure 3) through the next six months (if they increase to 2ºC above normal, then this will qualify as a strong El Niño event). It is well known that El Niño events tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity by increasing upper level westerly winds at about 40,000 feet (200 mb). These strong westerly winds create a high wind shear that prevents tropical storms from forming.

Sea Surface Temperatures
Sea Surface Temperatures in the tropical Atlantic are slowly cooling now that it is October, but are still 0.5 - 1 ºC above normal. These above normal temperatures are expected to persist through the remainder of hurricane season (Figure 3).


Figure 2. Observed wind shear in 2006 (blue line) and climatological wind shear (black line) for the eastern Caribbean. Image credit: NOAA/CIRES.

Figure 3. NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature forecast for the next four months. Note the much warmer than normal SSTs over the Equatorial Eastern Pacific, indicating a moderate El Niño event occurring. Note also that SSTs are expected to remain 0.5 - 1 ºC above normal over the tropical Atlantic for the remainder of hurricane season.

Conclusion
Because of high wind shear over the Atlantic due to the expected jet stream pattern and a strengthening El Niño event, I am forecasting at most two more named storms this year and no hurricanes. I think it most probable we will get just one more named storm. The steering pattern we've seen all hurricane season is not expected to change much, so any storm forming during the remainder of the season is likely to stay over water. If we do get a landfalling storm, the most likely targets are the Carolinas, Bermuda, or the Gulf Coast of Florida. Perhaps the best analogue year to compare with is 1997, a strong El Niño year, when we had two 45-mph tropical storms form in October. Neither of these storms hit land.

Jeff Masters


Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

- Cloudy cooler day
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 18:53:33 -0700 (PDT)
  
Today started under very dark stratus clouds and rumbles of thunder.It drizzled on and off to light to be measured.It remained cloudy for most of the day resulting in lower temperature.At 7a.m it was 25.1c .Normally it would be up to 28.Todays high was 30.8 compared to yesterdays 32.9.Todays low 24.7 which occured at 6:15 this morning compared to 27.1 yesterday.This was due to a A MIDDLE TO UPPER LEVEL TROUGH
GOES FROM AN ATLANTIC OCEAN LOW PRESSURE CENTER NEAR 25N75W IN
THE BAHAMAS TO A NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA LOW PRESSURE CENTER
NEAR 19N79W JUST OFF NORTHWESTERN JAMAICA.We can expect more rain from the system. Elsewhere
Hurricane Isaac skirted off thesoutheast coast of Newfoundland.Bringing bringing wind gusts up to 60 mph to the island. Hurricane is no more.


Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

- Cloudy cooler day
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 18:50:37 -0700 (PDT)
Today started under very dark stratus clouds and rumbles of thunder.It drizzled on and off to light to be measured.It remained cloudy for most of the day resulting in lower temperature.At 7a.m it was 25.1c .Normally it would be up to 28.Todays high was 30.8 compared to yesterdays 32.9.Todays low 24.7 which occured at 6:15 this morning compared to 27.1 yesterday.This was due to a A MIDDLE TO UPPER LEVEL TROUGH
GOES FROM AN ATLANTIC OCEAN LOW PRESSURE CENTER NEAR 25N75W IN
THE BAHAMAS TO A NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA LOW PRESSURE CENTER
NEAR 19N79W JUST OFF NORTHWESTERN JAMAICA.We can expect more rain from the system. Elsewhere Hurricane Isaac skirted off thesoutheast coast of Newfoundland.Bringing bringing wind gusts up to 60 mph to the island. Hurricane is no more.

  


Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

- Glad that we get what we ask for
  • From: suew at delja.net
  • Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 20:41:45 -0500 (CDT)
After such an amazing dry spell, I sent an e-mail to Sue Morris offering a
trade....I would bring a bucket to her house to catch the few raindrops
coming off her roof... in exchange, I would hang out her laundry at my
house, since there was ABSOLUTELY no chance of precipitation.

Lo and behold, it has rained every day since - accompanied by a lot of
thunder and amazing lightning! All of you who are suffering from lack of
rain need to e-mail Sue and offer to put up her laundry in your yard....a
small offering to the moisture Gods!!

Sue Warnke
Ocho Rios, Jamaica


- Dutch day
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 16:00:37 +0000
We are having a very "Dutch" day today with overcast skies and rain that comes down in drizzles. Not your regular tropical storms today - at least not yet.

Lots of rain again yesterday though, just as i was about to go out! i don't mind the rain, the umbrella can handle that, but i'm not going nowhere in thunder and lightning!

It's not raining now and looks like clear skies approaching ..

One Love from cool cool Negril
Thea



- No Electrickery !!
  • From: <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 09:02:36 -0500
We had the most fantastic lightning & thunder storms that began about 10pm last night. It was great to watch and listen. Not much in the way of rain, but enough noise to scare the big bad dogs right under the bed. The storm passed right over the top of us as there was no gap between the lightning flashes and the thunder booms. We were absolutely amazed that the electicity AND the cable TV stayed on during this spectacular event. What an achievement. Chalk one up to modern technology.

Low and behold, I awoke at 4:30 this morning to the sounds of mosquitoes trying to climb inside my ears. I then realised that it was awfully warm in the house. Hmmmmmm, electrickery failure. I carefully manoeuvered my way over top of the dogs and fire up my new beaut battery powered, fluorescent bulb Coleman Lantern. What a fabulous thing that is, it lights up the whole place. I looked outside and could see light on the property next door, hmmmm another plot I see in the making. Sure nuff, just our place out of juice. No coffee, no hot water, no puter AND no fans. Only one t'ing to do, get up and go to work early and hope that the electrickery company does what it promised to do, "We'll be out to take care of it Miss"

Otherwise, it is now the most glorious day, blue sky with lots of wispy clouds, gentle breeze and plenty of green everywhere. It is amazing how quick the plant life recovers after a long dry season. I must go check that broom stick I stuck in the ground a few months ago and see if it has sprouted any leaves yet.

Carpe Diem
Sue M


- Hot Humid and Sunny day.Hurricane Issac affect
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 13:18:56 -0700 (PDT)
This moring started under mostly cloudy skies,as the day progressed it became hot and humid.Which is a contrast of the past twodays.Hurricane Issac is approaching Southern Newfoundland. Already this morning, winds have reached 36 mph with higher gusts at Sagona
BUOY 44138 IN THE SOUTHWESTERN GRAND BANKS REPORTED PEAK WINDS IN 
EXCESS OF 50 KNOTS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS AS ISAAC PASSED JUST TO 
THE WEST OF THE BUOY LO
CATION. SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHTS AT THE BUOY
 
REACHED 5 METRES. IT IS EXPECTED THAT WAVE HEIGHTS OF 6-7 METRES
ARE LIKELY RUNNING FARTHER EAST THROUGH THE GRAND BANKS. 
Elsewhere in the tropics
An non-tropical low pressure system has formed near 30N 30W, about 500 miles south of the Azores Islands. This low may gradually acquire tropical characteristics over the next few days as it drifts southwestward over warmer waters.

The computer models are indicating some development is possible by Thursday in the region between the Bahamas and Bermuda, along an old cold front. Any development here would probably move northeast out to sea, and could be a threat to Bermuda.



__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com


- Fantastic
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 08:44:20 -0500
How great it is to wake up to that lovely fresh smell that one gets after a great rainfall. This is a pleasant change from all the dust that has been blowing around for months.
 
Already things are looking greener than they were 3 days ago.
 
Life is good Mon, rain in the night, flat ocean, clear blue skies, cool temps. This is what island living is all about
 
Sue M

- Torrential rain affects Montego Bay two days in a row
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 19:24:41 -0700 (PDT)
Heavy rain affected Downtown Mobay on Saturday.It started suddenly and caught everybody by surprise.People were seen scampering for cover.There was flooding around the normal areas,in front of Air Jamaica res.Near Flanker rocks washed out from hills the same along Queens Drive.The rainfall was
 phenomenal .The met office, sanster international recorded 55mm/2.16inche.That's the more than rainfall the entire month of February in 30 minutes!At home in Ironshore (5mi east) We had some serious lighting and a light drizzle.I measured 1mm at my digital rain guage.Which is a common occurrence something it sometimes rains here and doesn't downtown and vise verse.Today Sunday while Coming from church the Rain started pouring visibility got down to about 1/4 of a mile .At one point the rain seemed to be pushing the car.I re cored .65in/16.5mm.
 
 
 


Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

- Ya gotta love it
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 17:29:16 -0500
We had a wonderful light show last night, thunder, lightning and RAIN. It is almost time to drag the blankets out again, Great sleeping weather.
 
Today was great, sun, clouds, cool breeze, tide is high and the water is warm. Thunder started rumbling about 30 minutes ago, so mad dash to the clothes line to bring in the washing. Rain has just begun, what a great end to a perfect day.
 
Work tomorrow, so doesn't matter if it rains or not, except, my dang wind shield motor still no where to be found, think I'm gonna park my backside on the mechanics doorstep in the morning and not leave until !!!!!
 
Probably easier for me to just go buy a new car than find the wretched thing. Life in the tropics, ya gotta love it
I bought my hubby this new beaut laser printer for his office, modern technology, able to withstand the abuse from our electrickery company - t'ings are moving on. Fortunately, I bought 4 cartridges with it at the time. Well, you guessed it, time now to get more cartridges. HAH !!!! none to be found on the island. Somehow me t'inks, this one will end up on top of the pile of printers you can no longer get cartridges for in the shed and a new one will be installed. Think I'm gonna get into the printer selling business here!!!
 
Have a great week
Sue M

- Clear skies
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:51:28 +0000
A beautiful day in Negril, some scattered clouds that make the day perfect. Not too hot. Don't even see the thunderstorms forming yet in the distance.

Maybe later, you never can tell ..

One Love
Thea



- We GOT RAIN
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:48:45 -0500
"Ask, and you shall receive" as the saying goes
 
We GOT RAIN, lots of it. Thunder & lightning and wind. It is wonderful.
My dogs keep going out the door and sticking their noses into the weather. They both have this strange look on their faces as if to say "What is this?"
 
It has been many months since Ocho Rios has had rain like we are getting now. Let's hope it lasts a while and give the ground a good soaking.
For the folks who are here on holiday, this is a brilliant time to go to the bar, or shopping, or even take a likkle nap and catch up on that lost sleep.
 
From the latest satellite, this may last a likkle while.
Enjoy while it's here
 
Sue M

- Not much to report ..
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 18:10:53 +0000
.. from Negril. We have had a few drops of rain the past days. The sky looked like we were going to get major rainfall, but it didn't materialize. It's incredibly hot today. Went on the house-hunting and you could wipe me up and wring me out!

Negril must have the most boring weather forecast .. sunny morning and possible showers and/or thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Hey, i'm not complaining, just keep it boring, is just fine by me!

One Love from Negril
Thea



- Maybe !!
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 06:25:49 -0500
The thunder is still a rumblin, nuttin drop from the sky yet.
 
We had a small rain shower last evening that didn't amount to much, certainly no evidence of it this morning. The radar shows some rain off our north east coast, so maybe, just maybe we will have a wet Saturday in Ochi.
 
The temps have been wonderful, great sleeping weather, no bugs nibbling at your fingers and toes and the ants have gone in to hibernation. What more could one ask for - just a likkle rain.
 
The rain dance hasn't worked so, I'm going to hang my washing on the line, and wash my vehicle, that will open up the skies for sure.
 
Happy Saturday to all
 
Sue M

- Fantastic Friday
  • From: <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:38:36 -0500
It is Friday again - not sure how it comes around so quick, and always manages to create havoc about 4pm. We are having the most glorious weather in Ocho Rios, it is cool, thunder rumbles in the distance, some blue sky with willowy, wispy clouds and NO RAIN.

We were foiled the other day, thinking that we were going to have some wonderful rain showers all day. T'ink there was bout 27 drops that day, rain out of fingers counting, so lost track a likkle bit. It seems that those of us placed in other areas of the island are hogging up the rain. Just need to remind them that we really are loving, sharing peeps in Ochi, so we wouldn't mind if unu share your rain wid us.

Trying to buy fruit in this part of the island is terrible at the moment due to the lack of rain, the oranges are just straight fiber,no juice, although that supposed to be good for us too!! No mangoes, papaya and very likkle banana at the moment, and the oranges only any good on the practice cricket pitch.

Maybe over the weekend we will have raindrops fallin on our heads. In the meantime, we just keep on keepin on. Soon come they say

Sue M


- Tropical Disturbance "96L"affecting northernmost Leeward Islands
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:27:47 -0700 (PDT)
A tropical wave moving through the northernmost Lesser Antilles Islandshas been declared "Invest 97L" this morning.This morning the rather small wave was looking impressive but the associated shower and thunderstorm activity has dimished this afternoon.The wave is moving west-northwest at 15 mph.Which should affect PuertoRico Virgin Islands tommorrow.Radar from http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/pack-public/animation/animMOSAIC2.htmlMartinque shows the rain associated from "Invest 97L"
The Western Caribbean near the Yucatan Peninsula could see some development early next week, when a strong cold front is expected to push off the East Coast of the U.S. and stall out over this region. Some model continues to forecast tropical storm development here next week.
Closer to home
Today was a beautiful day in Montego Bay.Today was a another beautiful day.Today started out under partly cloudy skies.This afternoon around 3p.m the skies became overcast.No rain fell and 5pm the clouds dissapeared providing a magical sunset.South of us were not as lucky.Today`s high 32.3c low26.4 humidity high/low 88% /64% Radar shows http://www.met.inf.cu/asp/genesis.asp?TB0=PLANTILLAS&TB1=RADAR&TB2=../Radar/05Pilon/plnMAXw01a.gifheavy rain Between Sav-la-mar and Mandeville.Strong storms have developed as a result of a instability line which extends from Belize,south of Cayman Islands,over Jamaica easterly south of Haiti.This should provide us with anytime showers through the weekend.Forecast
Partly cloudy conditions with scattered showers in afternoon.Highs will get up to 90f /32c lows 76f/26c.Winds on north coast will average 10kts waves 1.5meters,South coast 10kts.waves 1 meter.
 


 
 


All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

- rain follow me?
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:31:46 +0000
I didn't get to be online for the past 2 days and missed the happy news of the rain! I've had plenty of it yesterday. Tuesday we were in the South, Lovers' Leap and Treasure Beach, no rain there, different country altogether. Yesterday May Pen, major thunderstorm and enough rain to cause flooding in some places. Drving back we saw it rained much in Westmoreland too.

Back in Negril and hot hot hot, just come back from Savanna-la-Mar and always a few degrees hotter there! too much for a human being, that's like being cooked alive!

Not much to report from Negril and of course in a way glad for that. What a wonderful season. I asked Mother Nature to keep me safe .. think She heard me?

One Love from Negril Jamaica
Thea



- Just Fine
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:24:14 -0500
We have thunder a-rumblin to the north east, skies are very overcast and rain is in the making. The temps are absolutely better than fabulous. What a pleasant change from the intense heat we have had since March.
 
Aha - I hear the raindrops dancing on the roof, ever so softly at the moment. No washing today
 
We are doing some construction at work, building a new fence to beautify the place. Contractors are busy working away digging for the foundation and jackhammering out the rock, progress is good and everyone is happy. Well you know that is too good to be true, sure nuff, just before 5pm when all are getting ready to pack up for the day, the cry goes out "Water, water everywhere Miss"
you guessed it, jackhammer and big pressure line feeding the property met up with each other. Jackhammer being the big winner, water line gave up the fight.
Ya got any idea how many favours ya gotta pull in to get this t'ing fixed at that time of the night? Lots and lots and lots!!!!!!
Kudos to the crew who did the repairs so quickly and allowed me to get some sleep.
 
I know I have ben praying to the rain gods for water, but not this way. "Nuff now"
 
Enjoy the cool for those of us in the north eastern section of the island
 
Sue M

- Rainy Day
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 19:33:11 -0700 (PDT)
Today started out mostly cloudy.Around 4pm there was a light drizzle,which got a bit heavy at times this was as mid-upper level trough interacting with a tropical wave.A Cold Front expected to stall over Florida Keys.Suppling most unstable air over central caribbean so i expect more rain through weekend.I recorded .3in/8mm.Maxium temperature at my wirless station was 33.1c/91.6f mininum temperature 27.7 before the rain 24.4/75.9 f after rain.
  Pressure from my barometer:9pm 1013mb 1hr1013, 2hr1014,1014 3hr, 4hr 1016 [before rain] 5hr1014, 6 1013.max humdity 100% min humdity 62%.T.d nine formed today not expected to affect land.should travel nw and recurve ne away from Bermuda.Tropical Wave approaching lesser antilles heavy rain and gusty winds expected.computer models predicting no tropical cyclone development for next 2 weeks. 
                                                                
                                                                
                                                                
                                                                 
                                                             


All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

- Cooool
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:37:38 -0500
We are going to make Thea, "Queen for a Day". She made it all happen. God Bless You My Dear.
 
This morning the thunder was rumbling, seas were dark with small whitecaps skipping about, AND rain was in the air.
 
Well I scooted out of the house before the heavens opened up, cause remember, the wretched mechanic still na got da windshield wiper mota!!! and I caan find none a dat Rainex.
 
Sure nuff, got to work and down came the rain, I threw down the brolly and stood in the middle of the dusty brown looking lawn, my staff had Bellevue on the phone - the van was coming for me!.
 
it didn't last very long, but long enough to cool everything down. We had the most glorious day, coooool, likkle overcast and everyone was in a wonderful mood.
 
What a marvelous t'ing nature is, just a likkle wata from da sky is all is takes.
 
Remember now, I said a LIKKLE wata
 
One love
Sue M

- Good Monday Morning
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 05:56:50 -0500
I can hear the thunder rumbling some where out in the dark. Daylight just beginning to peep over the eastern horizon to begin the week.
 
Getting out my pre-winter woolies cause the calendar says that it's Autumn and that means it's going to "cool down". Dang weather can follow any calendar it so well pleases and not be answerable to anyone. BUT, I am ready for it, so bring it on whatever it is.
 
For those of you who didn't make it to Oracabessa yesterday for the St. Mary Marlin Tournament, you missed a great day, so be sure to watch out for it next year. Unfortunately for the fishermen, they were using the wrong bait and the fish just stayed well down under the sea laughing at the hooks floating around. The men had to go a long way out this year to not even get a nibble for some and the others had to make do with small tuna and a couple of cuda's. Not a Marlin in sight.
A phone call came in just after 2pm from one of the boats, they had a "big one" on the line. The second call about 15 minutes later got disconnected and lost in "cell phone heaven", so no-one knew what was on that there boat.
 
Four o'clock came - cut off time for boats to be back in harbour, the "big one" had not arrived. Folks decided to wait for it to arrive and see what was happening as the tournament was a likkle late in getting started, so what's a wee bit more time in Jamaica !!  Around 5pm, everyone decided that the tournament was now over, "big one" still no-where in sight. Winners were now going to be announced.
 
Mr. Notice jumps on the mic and starts doing his thing, when suddenly, speeding round the point comes the boat carrying "the big one". Poor Mr. Notice, left holding the mic with no audience, everyone rush to the seaside. Sure nuff, da big one on da boat. 120 pound big one, and a Marlin at that.
 
Well now, much excitement in the crowd. What a dilemma. "Big One" come in, but TOO late, lots of cash and lovely prizes sitting up there on the stage waiting to be handed out, what to do!!! Prize for the biggest Marlin - or biggest fish if no marlin appears is $25,000.
Got to stick to the rules - "rules is rules" ya know, so the winners are called up on the stage to get their booty. The "big one" don't qualify.
 
The first place winning loot was donated and being presented by the Mayor of St. Mary - one Mr. Bobby Montague. Well, that there Mr. Montague won the hearts of the crowd, when after presenting the winning loot to the winner, then announced that he was donating and awarding an additional $25,000 to the "Big One" - What a man, no wonder St. Mary loves him. Everyone was happy and the partying continued.
 
When I left, party was in full swing with the dance competition getting ready to begin, all the young ladies were ready to dance the night away and show what they could do. Time for me to go home and chill out for the last hours of the weekend.
Much excitement in my house a few hours later when my cell phone starts doing a dance on the table. Calls late on a Sunday night can only mean trouble!! Not So this time, good news, I had bought a couple a raffle tickets and had won a new cell phone, sounds like one of dem dar fancy ones that needs a license to operate.
 
Life is good, enjoy it while ya got it
 
Sue M

- You are so welcome!
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 23:29:16 +0000
Hey Sue, i'll do my best to remember what it is i did and do it again!

We had major rainfall again this afternoon, thunder started early and got so intense it set off the car alarms again. It was incredibly hot before the storm, but it cooled off quite a bit after. And now we are having one of Negril's famous sunsets!

As Mother Nature paints one of her most beautiful pictures i give thanks for another day in Paradise.

One Love from Negril
Thea



- Thanks to Thea
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 11:00:16 -0500
Thea, whatever you did it worked, so do some more of it
About 10:30 last night, I heard this really strange sound. Thought the lizards must be holding a party in the kitchen or the closets. Nothing!!!
 
Searched my whole house up all over - that's a 5 minute job or less - Nothing
Noise continued, thought I was losing what's left of my mind until my dear husband pointed out that it was rain dancing on the tin roof. He thought I was totally off my head when I rushed outside to see if this was true. The poor man has just arrived back from 2 weeks in Texas, so he couldn't possibly understand the sheer delight of the word rain and the fact his better half was now standing outside in it. He just shook his head and went back to watching the telly!!
 
Anyway, we had a lovely shower of calm rain, lasting a couple of hours. This morning, the trees and bushes are waving gently in the breeze, sun is shining, water is rippling. All is bright and clear for the Marlin Tournament, should be a great feast tonight when all the catches of the day are cooked up
 
Not too sure about these messes that keep dancing their way off the African coast. Think we need to inform them that the party this year is in the middle of the north Atlantic, far away from any land.
 
Have a great day in Paradise
 
Sue M

- Same old
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 18:49:21 +0000
Not much to report from Negril, where today is much like yesterday. Beautiful sunny morning with calm sea, great for my snorkeling. Got stuck in some heavy rainfall yesterday in Montego Bay by the way. Right now clouds are drifting in .. rain may fall here or it may not.

Jobhunting yesterday, snorkeling today. Rain, sunshine .. ahhh, i can't complain!

Will try to send some rain your way, Sue,

One Love
Thea



- Autumn
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2006 10:47:57 -0500
Oh what a beautiful morning ......here in Ocho Rios, magnificent breeze flowing, small ripples on the Caribbean Sea, clear skies and bearable sunshine.
 
I am so much in the Autumn spirit, that at midnight last night, I put the beef, pumpkin, seasonings, onion, garlic & potatoes in to the crock pot and went to bed.
It was an easy task brewing the coffee this morning while breathing in the wonderful smells that were coming from my kitchen. Now, if only it tastes as good as it smells !!!!
 
As much as I would really love some rain this weekend, tomorrow is the Oracabessa Marlin Tournament with all kinds of fun & games to be experienced by all. It tops the list on the Gleaners "Must Do" this weekend.
So, I will relent and ask the rains to hold off for one more day.
Of course now Autumn is here, we really EXPECT the rains to come. Dang satellites are showing such clear areas around this part of Jamaica, that I am sure they are stuck !!!!
 
Hope everyone in the Caribbean can get out and live the beauty of island living this weekend.
 
Sue M
 
 

- Twelve
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:18:33 -0500
Headline for the day. At 1:39 pm Jamaica time, we had 12 drops of rain (maybe one or two escaped my count as I was trying to drive).
What a sight to behold, I was going to run out in it, but it stopped before I could pull over to the side of the road.
 
Of course, that was also the time that I realised that darn mechanic has not yet fixed my windshield wiper motor. I would imagine by now that it is probably installed and running around in someone else's vehicle.
Note to self - Get motor sent to Jamaica before rainy season or go out and hunt for voodoo mechanic
 
After our torrential downpour, sun shone brightly, sky was blue, in fact I think it stayed blue during the rainstorm.
Maybe this was just a prelude of what is to come over the next few days. I have been hanging washing on the line every morning - which usually makes it rain. That trick isn't even working at the moment. I am even ready to sacrifice clean dry clothes !!
 
Always remember, there's still tomorrow
 
Sue M

- Sorry !!
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:03:34 -0500
Well I know I said I  wasn't going to mention that "H" word again - BUT, enough is enough !!!
 
We are truly baking in Ocho Rios, rain is a only a phenomenon. The bushes are wilting, the plants have just given up and the grass - WHAT GRASS!!!!
 
My lawn now looks like a black topped parking lot, even the dogs are having a raw time finding a private corner to take care of business.
One of my friends went to Kingston yesterday and stopped by on his way home, told me his woeful tale about how they got stuck in torrential rain for over an hour. Well now, that was the final straw! I had arrived home not long before he stopped in, I was wringing the liquid from my body out of my clothes, grumbling because I had been to the market for some fresh vegetables - which are a dismal sight at the moment, hair was stuck fast to my head, and the coffee was not yet brewed. So, I sicced the dogs on him and told then to "see him off" What kind of a friend is that I ask.
 
He jumped in his car and zoomed up the driveway, about an hour later my phone rang, a very contrite voice on the phone informing me of a special delivery to my house in about 3 minutes. Puzzled, I wondered which of my friends had been consuming what!
 
Minutes later, car pulls into the driveway, out hops gentleman in full chef's uniform with a chilled bottle of wine and a huge basket of the most beautiful fruit & vege I have seen in some time.
 
Maybe I'll have a bad day more often *S*
 
Hope we get some of that rain stuff over the weekend - this is not to be taken as an invitation for any nasty type weather system to come knocking on our door, just a little would be fine.
 
Sue M

- overcast
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:10:23 +0000
Not often I see the sky practically completely overcast in Negril, but it is today. It was so hot this morning I could barely move, so rain will be very welcome. It does seem to cool off more already as we move towards the end of September.

Just checked the satellite pic on the homepage and once more grateful for the absence of hurricanes in our area.

Love and strength to those in less fortunate areas of the planet.

One Love
Thea



- Beautiful morning ..
  • From: "Thea van der Elst" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 14:36:56 +0000
Another beautiful morning in Negril and it's great to be somewhat of a tourist still. Mornings are great for snorkeling and swimming, in the afternoon the standard thunderstorm. Yesterday thunder and lightning made the cottage shake on its foundation and me run inside as fast as i could! The scariest thing I ever experienced! Mother Nature showing her strength.

But today it's peaceful again and I give thanks for that.

One Love
Thea



- calm
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:34:09 -0500
Beautiful calm day in Ocho Rios, clear blue sky, slight breeze, water like glass. Great day to be a tourist, maybe I'll become one for the day !!
 
BUT, what is that t'ing south-west of the Cape Verdes????? Time will tell
 
Sue M

- Helene
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006 22:39:24 -0500
Oh my, Helene is becoming a force to be reckoned with, and from the looks of it, she is heading towards Bermuda.
 
I will not complain anymore about the lack of rain in Ocho Rios.
 
Stay safe all those in Helene's path, time to light the candles again
 
Sue M

- RAIN
  • From: "Thea" <thea_1012 at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006 16:17:10 +0200
After days and days of threathening thunderclouds we had major rainfall yesterday. The day before was so hot we thought the earth would crack, so it was very welcome!
 
Today is another beautiful morning in Negril, with a calm sea and abundant sunshine.
 
Thea

- broken record
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:08:27 -0500
This is getting to be like a broken record, HOT !!!! and not a drop of rain in Ochi. The grass is now that bleached out shade of brown when you wonder if it will ever become green again. As we all know, the plant life in the Caribbean is so resilient and bounces back as soon as it starts dewing.
 
A friend stopped by today and informed me that they had heavy rain at his house just 4 miles east of Ocho Rios. There must be an invisible line drawn at the parish boundary that can't be crossed.
 
Tonight is the Dandia Festival at the Village, which brings our Indian community out in all their finery for a wonderful night of music and dancing, not to mention the delicious food which is plentiful. It is fabulous watching the traditional stick dance being performed by all who can stand on their feet, from the wee tots on up. I comment every year on this festival, especially the children. I can think of a few other countries around the world, where, if you gave children 2 sticks to dance with, they would spend their time wailing on the other kids, instead of dancing with them.
 
Looks like our named storms are pleasing all and heading north-east. Not so sure about some of the new waves, they look awfully low and can be the ones to sneak up and bite us. Meantime, we all need to enjoy the calm.
 
Sue M
 

- WIND SHEAR!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 07:51:29 -0500
Howdy Ya'll,
Thanks for your support Sue and yes I did survive the drizzle (SMILE). Well wind shear seems to be taking it's toll on Gordon and Helene is getting her act together. The discussion on Helene this morning sounds like a "if and but" situation, one taking Helene to the North and the other taking her more Westward due to the ridge holding out, this I will pay more attention to and see what motion will really pull through. Looking forward for a rainy weekend (WINK).

O'Neil J CLARKE
Kingston, Jamaica

_________________________________________________________________
Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/


- Sorry
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 21:34:23 -0500
Sorry O'Neil I missed your posting earlier.
If you have likkle feet, we will be okay !! I wasn't on the island during Gilbert, we certainly have to hope & pray that never happens again. 2 years after the fact we are still seeing destruction from Ivan. In fact on the north coast heading west, there are still some houses that were damaged and abandoned after Gilbert, that just serve as a reminder.
 
You have to wonder though, there is one house in particular, sitting right on the coast line,  which lost it's roof and several walls during Gilbert. Lo and behold, some bright spark has decided to build a new house right next door. I'm not sure of the logic in that one, as the area in question is totally unprotected from the elements. Hope they have good insurance.
 
I think you should petition the government to become our first hurricane hunter pilot, we could then share you with our other island neighbours. I'll sign the petition for you
 
Hope you survived the rains in KGN today
 
Sue M

- Phew
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 21:26:02 -0500
It is hot, hot, hot in Ochi. The thunder rumbled loud and clear this afternoon, and Kingston got drenched with rain, of course plenty of flooding in some areas as the drains are still not cleaned out.
 
Not a single drop fell in our area. This year has been unbelievably hot and very little rainfall. This is not a good scenario and makes us wonder what's in store.
 
I have 2 huge Julie mangos chillin in the refrigerator, vanilla ice cream to go right along with them. That's the only way to keep cool !!
 
Try to keep cool
 
Sue M

- it's raining
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:09:13 -0700 (PDT)
hi everyone it's been a while, but just want you all to know that we here in hanover had a lot of sunshine the last couple of weeks. it was really hot and dusty. trust me the heat was on but right now at this minute we're getting a little shower. you can hear the thunder rumbling and i doubt it will continue to rain. be safe y'all there are more storms having a party out there and we may one day be invited but i hope we can turn down there invitations.

S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short
Hanover, Jamaica


Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.

- Rain??
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 21:54:30 -0500
"And the thunder rolls"
 
at least here on the north coast, lot's of rumbling. The ocean is like a millpond and very clear, I can see the fish skipping out of the water,  must be a "cuda" out there chasing them
 
The heat today has been unreal, I am right on the ocean and it is still 32 C in my house with all the windows and doors open. There is not a breath of air. The dogs are comatose on the tiles trying to suck every inch of cool out of them. Lightning flashes to the east & south
 
Plenty of stars in the sky, so I don't think we are going to get any rain out of this, that which we so desperately need.
 
When I was a child hiding behind my Fathers legs & hanging on to his trousers my Father told us that the thunder was God moving his furniture around. We would be hiding behind his legs & hanging on to his trousers.  To this day, every time the thunder rumbles I revert back to these childhood memories . 
 
Treasure the memories
 
Sue M

- WHOA NELLY!!!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:00:07 -0500
Not so fast, remember this is September and that blob to the South-East might not look rather impressive now but can flare up in the blink of an eye. One word (WILMA), and anything entering the Caribbean just might Dutty Wine its way into our waters. Lets not hope so anyway. Wish I could incorporate my two favourite likings of Hurricanes and Flying and be a bloody Hurricane Hunter pilot. Now that would be the way to live. (Hail to my peeps from Treasure Beach).

O'Neil J CLARKE
Kingston Jamaica

_________________________________________________________________
Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.com/


- Phew
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 22:08:12 -0500
Hurricane Gordon now appears to be staying far away from any land mass as per the latest advisory. Breath easy for a few days, but not for long. Number 8 looks like it will track north eventually, so heads up.
 
We are all doing the doing the anti-hurricane wave in Jamaica to keep them away from our shores.
 
Sue M

- So True Sue!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:58:34 -0500
Sue my dear,
You may have a point there, but I still hope I don't have to put my foot in my mouth. How were your Gilbert memories?

_________________________________________________________________
FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/


- uh oh !!
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 15:40:21 -0500
Shhhh O'Neil
 
Careful wah ya sey bout dem ladies, dey gotta wey bout snekin pon unu

- A MONTH OF ANNIVERSARIES
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:49:34 -0500
Howdy Partners,

This is the month huh! you know, a month chock full of terrible anniversaries. Well, for all those who don't know or remember, today is gilbert's anniversary for Jamaica, yesterday was also Ivan's and for those in the USA, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centres. Back to Gilbert, I was only 11 yrs old at the time and still have fond memories, one of also ignorance because I had no idea of what a hurricane was all about but I was excited. After all was said and done, our island suffered and it garnered interest within me to find out what Hurricanes are all about, hence my love for such. We are now focused on TD 8 soon to be HELENE but I am not too worried about it since our History of Hurricanes have mostly male named storms interacting with us tremendously, so I am expecting this one to vere Northward in the long term, I only hope I don't have to put my foot in my mouth because I do have big feet. So Long my fellow correspondents.
                       Stay Safe.

O'Neil J CLARKE
Kingston Jamaica

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


- Lawdy Miss Clawdy
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 10:41:22 -0500
Oh my!!!!
 
 we have Flo, Gordon AND now TD8 - which will become Helene. Time to get heads up and pointing in the right direction, namely to the east. I have been nibbling away at my "hurricane box" because it is so much easier than bothering with the Friday crowd at the grocery. Time to restock.
 
Let us hope & pray that Gordon not decide to chase after Flo and let Bermuda breath, in the same breath, let's do the same thing with TD8 and hope she turns north quickly.
 
Heads up everyone
 
Sue M

- Faith, Hope & Florence
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 08:32:57 -0500
With such a beautiful morning breaking on the north coast, we must reflect on where we were 2 years ago with Ivan and remember where our friends in Bermuda are right now
 
The weather channel has a reporter on the island who keeps updating the situation. Florence is certainly going to impact Bermuda, fortunately she has decided to keep her category status in check for the time being, but we all know how fickle these ladies can be.
 
I have been so impressed with the news coverage from Bermuda and the residents & govt agencies they have interviewed. Their attitude is so positive, and they are all determined as happened with the last hurricane they experienced, that once the storm is over, ALL people come out to clean up, from the Premier on down. Their focus is getting back to normal as quickly as possible with everyone pitching in to help. We should all take note of that
 
Many thoughts & prayers being sent their way
 
Stay safe
 
Sue M
 
 

- Anniversary of "Ivan the terrible"--a night to remember
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:57:29 +0000
Good Evening !
                  Well September 10-11 is the 2nd anniversary of hurricane Ivan's close encounter with Jamaica. I still remember than night like it was yesterday, the anxiety, the fear and the miraculous miss. This time 2 years ago we were just starting to experience Tropical storm force wind and JPSco had turned off all electricity throughout the Island.The Prime minister had declared a state of Public Emergency and many people were in shelters throughout the island prepaing for what could have been the islands first category 5 hurricane in recent history, and the island first major hurricane since Gilbert of '88 which ironically traversed the entire length of the island on sept 12. Though we were experiencing t.s wind gust, i was still outside clearing my yard of possible misiles and securing my awning, thinking to myself that this might be the last time i see my community in this light. As the evening went on the wind and the rain grew more and mor intense as my family and I huddled together in the living room---with our battery  powered radio, our only company. Suprisingly thanks to the use of underground wiring the phonelines were up throughout the duration of the storm which kept us intouch with our worried familymembers abroad who kept us updated with the latest from The weather chanel---this was a blessing as well as a curse for they scared us out of our wits-- telling us that Ivan's storm surge would come as far inland as my home!
             Now convinced that this actually might be the end we packed a bag with necesstities and blew up floatation devices should incase we were to experince a scenario that happened to Katrina a year later. Th wind felt like a train passing over my house and the pitch darkness of night made the experience even worse. It was then (around 11:00 P.M) that the radio updated us with the headline that I will never forget "Ivan about to make landfall in Jamaica...continues to intensify and could become a category 5 before landfall". We continued to wait occasionally cracking a window to see if the water was rising.With the telephones still up we made calls to our loved ones all over the island checking on how things were in their area. The scheduled landfall was at midnight september 11! and we received several calls from worried freinds and family member saying that the water was rising in their area and even speaking as if "This was it", for there was no where to run.We could do nothing but pray as the sounds of fallen zincs, antennas and what sounded to be explosions echoed through the night.....Then the miracle!
             At half past midnight we were given the news via radio that on approaching jamaica Ivan made a westward jog and was not going to make landfall! I could have jumped for joy... we all blew a sigh of releif that we may actually be safe. The wind however continued for about another 7 hours...then it slowly died down as we could finally filed out of our houses to veiw the damage on the morning of September 11. We lost many trees , utility  poles, awnigs and so on in my area but my house was damage free except that we lost our satellite dish.All and all we were spared the brunt of this system by that miraculous jog to the west. Many areas however were more adversely affected, but all could say "it could have been worse."
 
Andre


Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

- beautiful day
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 09:23:31 -0500
It is one of those beautiful days here on the north coast. Blue sky, slight breeze, sun is shining and most of all, the ocean is like a mill pond.
 
Standing on the edge of the water looking north, it is hard to imagine that not too far away, one big storm is beginning to rage.
 
Time to light a candle for the folks in Flo's path
 
Stay safe
 
Sue M

- Hurricane Flo
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 03:32:51 -0500
All our prayers and best wishes are with everyone in Bermuda
Florence has now taken  the next step into Hurricane status. She has stepped up to the plate. Let's all hope and pray that she stays a lady and does not get too violent
 
Stay safe
 
Sue M

- Prayers
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 16:04:57 -0500
Been out of touch for a few days recuperating from surgery.
 
Thoughts and lots of prayers go out to Bermuda. From the postings, it sounds like they are well prepared. All the rest of us should take a page out of their book.
 
Stay safe everyone
 
Sue M

- Hot Hot Hot
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 22:59:41 -0500
Phew, the heat on the north coast is wicked. You know it's really hot when all the visitors are also carrying their "rags" around with them. We are all dripping, or maybe we are all drips !! That is for future debate.
 
this is melt down temps, serious weight loss going on until everyone hits the coolest bar in town for the evening.  Those that have the great a/c units are doing the best business. The breeze has been blowing, but it is warm and does not give any relief. What is it they say about "hot air" !!, well there is plenty of it in Ochi.
 
A friend of mine arrived back in Ocho Rios this afternoon after having been away for about 5 months, he couldn't believe how brown and dry everything is and how desperately we need some rain. Fortunately, our town's translation is Eight Rivers, so water supply on the north coast is not a problem. Kingston is in need of rain as the reservoirs are low.
 
We all know this has to break some time, we just hope that when the rains come, they will be steady and gentle over several days. When we do our rain dance, it will be sedate, just enough to slightly waken the rain gods, not fling them right out of their beds.
 
Keep Cool
 
Sue M

- td.06
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Sun, 03 Sep 2006 20:33:12 +0000
Hello every one,
                    It seems that september has started off on an active note for over to the east is newly formed t.d 06. Right now the models are projecting it to take a north western course over the atlatic and should be to the north of the islands--- HOWEVER it is exected to take a more westerlt track as a high is building south of bermuda which can make it a threat to us here in the Caribbean. Once again we need to keep our fingers cross on this one.
 
Weather456?s Tropical and Subtropical Weather Discussion for The North Atlantic Ocean.............Tropical Depression Six??
Sunday, September 3, 2006
1:31 PM AST
Updated 3:02 PM AST


A new tropical depression has form near 14.2N/39.9W. The tropical depression has winds of 35mph and a MCP of 1005mbars.

TD06 is becoming better organized this afternoon, with great divergence aloft/outflow and banding features, mostly in the southern quadrant and is located under 0-10knots of shear and SSTs of 80degrees, so further development is likely, and it could become TS Florence tonight or on Monday.

The closest surface observation found was a ship located at 15N/46W, moving south. The ship measured a pressure of 1010.8mbars and a SE wind of 5knots.

Forecast
TD06 will continue to move WNW to NW across the Atlantic, then move more westward as a ridge of high pressure builds south of Bermuda. Beyond that is uncertain because a weak trough could be located over the SE USA in 2 days time, but 90L might not even reach north of Puerto Rico by that time. So therefore, everyone in the Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles and the Eastern USA should monitor TD06.

Weather456





Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

- Heads Up ??
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2006 13:30:34 -0500
I think we all need to wake up from the lull we are in and do as Dave says and look over our shoulder to the east.
 
the heat is miserable in Ochi today, it is very overcast and thunder is rumbling somewhere out there. Ocean temps are so warm, tells us that time to relax is still far away.
Funny, we get excited when the storms come close to our yards, but get very complacent for the rest of the time.
 
We have had excessive heat on the north coast of Jamaica since March this year, so we are all used to dripping while we work. We should all have the slimmest, trimmest figures and be able to fit into our swimming togs !!!!
 
Keep at least one eye open everyone
 
Sue M

- Warm Water
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 18:10:12 -0500
Beautiful day on the north coast until about an hour ago. Thunder is now rumbling and it looks like we might get a drenching. Mozzies will be out in full force tonight.
 
We went swimming with the dogs this afternoon. The ocean temp is warm, really warm. It was like taking a huge tepid bath. Hopefully this is not a sign that water temps are rising, this could only lead to bad tings.
 
Sue M

- TGIF
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 09:19:35 -0500
What a glorious day again on the north coast, and from the look of it, this is what we will have for the weekend.
 
I will have to phone my family members who live on the east coast of the USA and let them know that they should have all come to Jamaica for the weekend.
Each day that goes by is one day closer to November 30th, so we just keep quietly crossing them off the calendar
 
Warm Blessing to all
 
Sue M
 

- It's a loverly day
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 09:19:29 -0500
It's a loverly day in the neighbourhood, a loverly day in the neighbourhood ............
 
I feel like Mr. Rodgers, or the female version of.
 
It is truly a beautiful day in the Ocho Rios area, slight breeze, small ripple on the Caribbean Sea, sun  shining, temps perfect. A day to treasure and file away in the memory bank, cause ya know that shortly we will be complainin bout the wedda agin.
 
Sue M

- another day in paradise
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:09:16 -0500
What a beautiful morning on the north coast of Jamaica. Slight breeze, few ripples on the ocean beautiful sky. A day to enjoy.
 
Drove to Montego Bay yesterday through some heavy bands of rain. At times it was almost impossible to see anything ahead of you let alone the road. The roads flooded quickly especially in some areas where the new road construction is taking place. Our new highway is going to be first rate when it is finally completed !!, however, I hope that the engineers have proper plans for the areas which, when the rains come, flood out some housing areas. The new road weaves inland in some places instead of following the coast like the old road, so you do miss out on watching the coastline as you are driving along. You have to give up some things for progress, and our new road is certainly progressive. The highway police bank account should be full and overflowing with the amount of speeding and illegal maneuvers that take place.
 
We need to read Dave's postings carefully and pay attention to the system that is off to our east. No time to get complacent or use up the nasty tings we have packed away in the hurricane box
 
Our thoughts and prayers to all those still in Ernesto's path.
 
Stay Safe
 
Sue M

- Now that ERNESTO is gone from Jamaica..here comes the rain
  • From: "George Scarlett" <george.scarlett at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 18:40:48 -0500

It is after 6:30 PM and the rain continues to fall on and off all day – sometimes quite heavy. For this we are quite thankful to Ernesto as we have been experiencing drought conditions in some places. Unfortunately he has already caused deaths in Haiti and could take a few more before he blows out. So folks in this deadly storm’s (soon to be hurricane again!?) path please exercise enormous care and have all necessary precautions completed. I did not take any picture as there was nothing of worth to capture from my location in Portmore.

 

George Scarlett

 


- beautiful weather
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 16:33:03 +0100 (BST)
morning everyone, here in hanover we have sunny days, bright sunshine and clear blue sky. just a typical day for us hanovarians. i am so glad ernesto change his mind from coming to jamaica, guess he read the western mirror and got scared.
that's all now from me. later


S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short
Hanover, Jamaica


Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. Enter now.

- Another Day
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 08:27:21 -0500
It is overcast, drizzly and humid in Ochi - thank goodness. We need the rain, slow and steady, not like what could have occurred. Once again we dodged the proverbial bullet.
 
The sea is dark due to lack of sunshine and the waves are rolling and bashing on the rocks. Looks like it will be an unsettled day, but one we can deal with. Beaches are a bit messed up, but give it a couple of days and the sand will return to where it belongs.
 
Time to put a few things back in order in the house, so we can look a bit normal.
 
Our hearts go out to all the folks in Haiti and Dom Rep and at this time Cuba. Stay safe everyone
 
Sue M

- Update
  • From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:57:02 -0400 (EDT)
Received the following update from Antoinette.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com/


Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:48:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Antoinette Daniels <antoinettedaniels08 at yahoo.com>

Reporting from Kingston - Constant Spring area... we had a bit of drizzling 
today on and off for about an hour and then nothing else... it was mostly 
overcast throughout the day with a bit of sunshine... but overall a very hot, 
yet calm day.
  The supermarkets were (as usual) jam-packed yesterday evening with last
minute shoppers who thought it was time to stock up since 'it looked like
it would hit us'... typical jamaicans.
  that's it from me.


- Ernesto Who?
  • From: Rodman Monique <monique_rodman at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:12:18 -0700 (PDT)
Reporting from St. James;

Well not a drop of rain fell in my community, Edenvale
in St. James.  When I was leaving Montego Bay at about
2:00pm this evening, the sun was still out.  However,
there were not many people out on the road, although I
did see quite a few at a beach I have to pass on my
way home.  

The sun was out for most of the day in my community
and I am just giving God thanks that he allowed this
one to pass us.

Well that is all for now.

Lata!!  

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 


- All is Quiet
  • From: suew at delja.net
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:54:34 -0500 (CDT)
Drove into Ochi earlier this afternoon...not many people out on the
streets. Several business had either boarded up or taped their windows and
many of the businesses on Main St. had sandbags at their front doors, as
this area floods often, especially when the rain comes gushing down Fern
Gully.

There were a few supermarkets open and no long lines at the gas stations.
The airport is still open and all flights are going out on schedule (with
the exception of the carriers who cancelled last night and this morning.)

Right now the sun is shining and I can actually see the sea again. Guess
we now just wait it out, although we certainly should not let our guard
down at this point.

Sue Warnke
Ocho Rios


- even calmer that earlier...
  • From: "David" <david at millwoodindustries.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 11:15:04 -0500

….well it seems that this side has made it in the clear….the wind is none existent and I see blue skies as far as my eye can see East….hope the North Coast is ok…


- hot & humid
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 11:03:13 -0500
Morning from Ochi
 
what a delightful surprise to wake up to sunny skies. Now comes the hard part, trying to decide what is going to happen.
The sea level is above normal and some wave activity. It is hot and humid and still. Sky is a little overcast and when you look north towards Cuba, there is some weather out there. The horizon is not crisp and clear as it usually is.
 
My dogs are still comatose which is unusual for them, they are normally right on your heels any move you make and if you make a sudden stop, you are the one on the floor. Today they are very content to just spread themselves out on the cool tile floors.
 
I don't know if I have tempted fate by washing the sheets and hanging them out on the line, we will have to wait and see. I am not convinced yet that we are going to completely get away with everything and it is not yet time for folks to let down their guard, particularly on the north coast.
 
No notification yet from the cruise lines as to whether or not they are diverting the ships which are supposed to dock in Ochi this week. I am sure we will get updates from them later in the day.
 
In the meantime, we need to be sensible, listen to the weather experts and not get complacent. If nothing happens we are ready for the next one.
 
Sue M
 
 

- Airport
  • From: suew at tourwisejamaica.com
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 10:47:47 -0500 (CDT)
Have just received official notification that at this time MBJ will not be
closing. They are monitoring the system and will take the necessary
precautions when they are needed. Air J is still on schedule for all
flights today.

Sue Warnke
Ocho Rios


- Still no sign of ERNESTO
  • From: "George Scarlett" <george.scarlett at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 10:23:04 -0500

It is now 10:20 AM and there is just a slight overcast (here in Portmore)…WONDERFUL! I am really sorry for the folks in western Haiti who are getting a pounding as the hurricane moves slowly by. I have my camera ready and will be on the roads after the expected rain bands have passed to capture any interesting sights. This should be a dress rehearsal for the ODPEM and based on the communication from the Prime Minister it appears that they are well prepared.

 

George Scarlett


- sunny
  • From: "Sharni Bullock" <pancharnic at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 15:11:50 +0000

Sunny morning in Kingston but very, very still. No breeze at all and it is still very humid. We had quite a heavy thunderstorm yesterday afternoon. Lots of lightning and thunder and buckets of water but today looks like a lovely Sunday morning.

Sharni S. F. Bullock - 65 Gardenia Avenue, Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I.

 

 



Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search!

- Ocho Rios Update
  • From: suew at tourwisejamaica.com
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 09:50:49 -0500 (CDT)
This morning in Ocho Rios is pretty calm and quiet, although quite humid.
The birds were singing earlier, which is a good sign....however my dogs
are acting a bit anxious and the cat is staying close to home, so mixed
signals from the animal world.

I really cannot see the sea very well as it is hazy, but I am sure that
Sue Morris will give an update on that, as she is much closer than I. I
may try to go into Ocho Rios in a bit to see what preparations are being
done and will report on that later.

I have unconfirmed reports that MBJ will be closing at 2 p.m. today as a
precaution, and am trying to verify that info. I do know that American,
United, Nortwest and Spirit have cancelled all of their flights for today.
Air J is still flying as far as I know.

Although, I think we will be spared the brunt of Ernesto, now is not the
time to let down our guard as anything can (and sometimes does) happen.

Sue Warnke
Ocho Rios



- sunny days are here
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 14:47:39 +0100 (BST)
Good morning everyone, good and bad news has landed. good news ernesto has drifted up above us so i think we are in the clear, bad news ernesto is now a hurricane. he has slowed down to gain strenght and that is what we were afraid of but we still have to keep our fingers cross.
Here in hanover we have beautiful blue sky, bright sunshine and a peaceful day.
i kinda knew that something like this would happen from those zig zag paths so i wasn't too worried cause last year was the same.
keep safe still people it nuh pass yet.


S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short
Hanover, Jamaica


Yahoo! Cars NEW - sell your car and browse thousands of new and used cars online search now

- something in the waters.....
  • From: "David" <david at millwoodindustries.com>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 08:04:09 -0500

Morning all…well once again, it seems that we have something in our waters that seem to protect us from a  direct hit….amazingly it seemed to hit a pot hole in its path and had to do a jump to the north and is now en route to Cuba…here in Morant Bay…just a light breeze…overcast skies…was in Portland yesterday and the water level was at least another 1 foot higher than normal and really rough….guess all we can do now is wait and pray….more later….keep safe….


- Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • From: "Carolyn Gomes" <cgomes at j2ltd.net>
  • Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 07:13:34 -0500
This morning in Kingston is very still and gloomy.  There is a lot of thick but high cloud and the sun is struggling to peep through.  Looking toward the harbour it appears very flat and still.  There was a bank of heavier cloud to the southwest which appears to be moving away.  Not a breathe of wind and not a leave stirring but the birds are around in their usual numbers - a good sign?  
 
Looks like if we get anything from Ernesto it will be mostly rain and maybe not too much of that on the south cost. .  Poor Cuba looks like they will get a hit again!  Hope it won't be too bad for the Cubans.
 
Carolyn
Kingston 

- Waiting Patiently
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 22:13:55 -0500
10:00 pm and so far so good. I can hear the waves smacking against the rocks in front of the house and can see the spray coming up onto the grass - well, didn't want to mow that part anyway, so this will save me that job.
 
I stopped at Miss Willy's on the way home this evening, things were very quiet. Miss Willy will stay open all night if the people need her to, but when I asked her how late tonight, she told me that things had been very quiet, so she would be going home early.
 
There really is a complacency about this storm, I hope they are right and we are wrong - for their sake
The power has gone off twice this evening just for a few seconds, wonder if this is a hint from JPS as to what to expect - either that or someone is trying to tief electricity and it is shorting out the lines.
 
Watching the latest weather maps, it is hard to know what is going to happen, the early morn will give us a better idea.
 
Sue M

- The Calm Before....
  • From: suew at delja.net
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 20:09:55 -0500 (CDT)
Things in Ocho Rios are pretty quiet right now. The tree frogs are singing
and  the night is still, although a bit humid.

Today it seemed as if there were more people out on the streets, but I did
not find any long lines or chaos...except the driving, which was a bit
more erratic and impatient than normal (if that is possible).

I think people are now beginning to take Ernesto seriously...luckily I
adopted a proactive approach early on...stocked up on water, topped off
the generator, filled the extra gas cans, and stocked up on essentials.

Guess we just wait and see what happens tomorrow....stay safe!!

Sue Warnke
Ocho Rios


- Update from Kingston, Jamaica
  • From: NegrilTracy at aol.com
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:40:25 EDT
Title: AOL Email
Hi Everyone,
I am new so please bear with me!!! 
It seems that everyone is now taking the threat of Ernesto more seriously, at least here in Kingston. We just spent 2 hours in the checkout line at Super Plus which was packed with all staples flying off the shelves. Prices for basic necessities are going up too which is despicable but that is another topic altogether.
I truly hope that this storm passes without too much damage but even the amounts of rain they are forecasting will be devastating to some of the low lying parishes here.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need to get in touch with your loved ones. 
We are now awaiting the next update from NOAA at 5 and until then are just trying batten down the hatches!!!
Jah Bless Jamaica,
Tracy
 

- Awaiting Ernesto......
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:36:50 +0000
Hello evryone,
                   Well it seems that we are Ernesto's first target. Mood on the island is one of disbelief and complacence. Everyone has the belief that once again we will be spared, however the Prime Minister and the Met office are trying very hard in convincing citizens to prepare. I am currently in Portmore- a frequently evacuated area for it is just to the west of Kingston and is VERY close to thhe sea, however  at this point i dont think any evacution orders has been issued , probably a voluntary one. I however am somewhat prepared- with tin food, water, lanterns etc. The last i have heard is that the supermarkets are now starting to become more congested--- maybe people are starting to realise the threat of the system, but as expectedl today is the calm before the storm- light wind VERY HOTT and HUMID with VERY calm seas.I however expect things to change during the overnight hours.
I think where I am we are prepared for a t.s of a cat 1 hurricane however I am very concerned for those complacent citizens living in low-lying flood prone areas that usually becomes flooded after a moderate downpour. Especially those it St. Thomas, St. Andrew, St Mary, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. Lets just hope for the best .... Once again if i can be of assistance dont hesitate to email me at sean134 at msn.com.
 
Andre


Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

- Humid
  • From: "Sharni Bullock" <pancharnic at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 19:30:55 +0000

Well here in Kingston is very hot and humid, no breeze in Mona at all. We had a wee shower at around 2:00pm but nothing else. This morning the supermarket was very full. People were doing usual shopping and most were also picking up last minute items such as candles. By now most people had already stocked up and so just needed to top up.

Sharni S. F. Bullock - 65 Gardenia Avenue, Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I.

 

 



Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

- Preparations on Jamaica's South Coast
  • From: "lyons" <lyons at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 12:16:50 -0500

The short answer is – there aren’t any preparations going on, at least not by many individuals. The government may be preparing but not we.  I went to the regular Saturday market this a.m. and everyone was in deep denial. No one wants to believe it – even me. But…I am dragging myself through the drill – collecting water, buying kerosene for lamps, stocking up on groceries – but I still don’t believe it. The sky has been gray with a little sun peeking through once in awhile and the sea is like a lake – calm, calm, too calm. So we will wait and see – tomorrow at this time should tell the story. I will keep you posted.

 

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Jamaica

><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...><((((º>

 


- friends input on storm
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:24:42 +0100 (BST)
Well i have talked to a few friends in montego bay and here in hanover and no one seems to be worried. They all have said that it doesn't bother them much and it's just a storm with winds and rain.
No extra preparations were made for this storm and i think they take it likely but no one should, cause we never know the damage a storm can or will do.
I have prepared myself from the hurricane season started, better safe than sorry.
I got canned foods, water stored, sanitary plates, forks etc. extra phone cards to call my family in the united states to let them know how my daughter and i are doing.
Right now we have lots of sunshine and breeze, better than how it looked this morning.
Please be prepared jamaicans, we do have bad luck when it comes to hard rain so take neccessary precautions and stay safe, dry and warm.
 


S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short
Hanover, Jamaica


Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. Enter now.

- Heads Up
  • From: <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 11:00:41 -0500
Morning again from Ochi

Govt of Jamaica has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for Jamaica. SO, time to get serious now and do the right and smart things in preparing.

It is HOT at the moment and breezy, we actually have the sun shining to the north and the ominous dark, low, overcast situation to the south & east. Hopefully the rain will hold off until I get home and take the last washing off the line.

Be careful everyone and above all, stay safe

Sue M


- Worried about the storm
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:22:55 +0100 (BST)
Well morning y'all, it is very calm and quiet her in hanover. a little sunshine but i think the sun is playing hide and seek with the clouds.
The trees are still, not much breeze. i must say that this storm is really coming our way from the projected paths i've seen and i really hope it doesn't develope more than it is cause then we should be more worried than we already are.
Be prepared y'a'll and keep safe


S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short
Hanover, Jamaica


The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

- WITH BEAUTY COMES DANGER!!!!!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 06:38:44 -0500

Bless Up,
Mother Nature has an uncanny way to make you look at her with awe at times, only to mess that up with her destructive power. In the wee hours of the morning before day break I witnessed for the very first time the most visually captivating lightning exhibition on the island's south eastern coast, in what looked like sparks spread in all directions in five to ten second intervals. Now to the meat of the matter. ERNESTO as its name implies seems rather 'EARNEST' to do a number on our little paradise, how on earth can one tropical storm be so persistent to the point that even strong wind shear has little effect on it, I'm convinced that the Caribbean waters must have traces of RED BULL for it to survive this way, the vigor it possesses as seen on satellite imagery leaves little hope that it won't be a Hurricane before it reaches us (MIKE, I HOPE YOU ARE SEEING THIS). Jamaicanites, I think we should take this one a bit more seriously because if it ain't the wind, the rain will surely be noticed. Stay safe and keep posted to Stormcarib.

Nickell Hill mi bredda, mi know seh Treasure Beach can't tek so much wata, so get di wata glass an snarkel prepared by yu side.

O'Neil J CLARKE

Kingston JA

_________________________________________________________________
FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/


- Fingers Crossed
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2006 05:26:28 -0500
Morning from Ocho Rios
 
It is still pitch black outside, not a star to be seen anywhere and the dogs are very lethargic. There is a very slight breeze outside and I can hear the slight waves slapping against the rocks in the front of the house. I noticed yesterday that the sea seemed unusually high and the waves were spraying on the lawn.
Our house is about 20 feet from water's edge and about 5 feet above, so this should be interesting times. The uncertainty of this one is going to catch people short I believe, Ernesto has developed so quickly that many folks feel it is "No problem Mon  - Don't fret Mummy"
 
I told my staff yesterday that Saturday will be spent moving everything loose into the parking garage so we can all go home at 5pm. The property I manage is right on the coast at Ocho Rios, so we are all on alert, the beach already has some damage from a change in the tide and I expect that we will lose some more trees. At this point, it looks like we will be closed for business on Sunday, we will have to wait and see.
 
The helicopter will be put to bed in the large shed up in the hills later in the day today and then we just sit and wait. We are ever hopeful that the winds will be in our favour but we can't be too casual
 
I have milk, marshmallows and mangoes, so we are good to go. Heads up everyone and stay safe
 
Sue M

- Hot/cool weather
  • From: sancia hudson <krazydee77 at yahoo.co.uk>
  • Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 16:25:17 +0100 (BST)
It is quite cool right now in hanover, a bit cloudy. It looks as if it's gonna rain, which i would love cause it's been so hot these couple of days.
It's still hot although it cloudy, there's not much breeze to cool you down.
The trees are still and you can feel the heat in your home.
I can see the sea from here and it's really calm, nice day to jump in


S. Grant
Be Good Be Safe Be Smart
Life Is Short


Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. Enter now.

- TD 5/Tropical Storm Ernesto
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 15:47:28 -0500
Big Up!
Well well well! How long would we have to wait for our time to come. As we say in Jamaica, August is a must, September to remember. This new development does not look too well in the sights of the big islands (windward). After doing some research I have realized that the majority of storms to affect Jamaica have been 'MALE' named, if history has its way then we need to be on our P's and Q's for this one as the forecast models has it in or around our outskirts. Let's all hope that some weather miracle will let it fizzle out before anything major really develops.

O'Neil J CLARKE

Kingston, Jamaica

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


- freaky weather last night...new developments
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:41:09 +0000
Good Afternoon everyone,
 
Well last night or should I say this morning at around 3:00 a.m we were awaken by wind---no rain. Wind gusting in excess of 35 mph, haven't seen such wind since Ivan's close encounter....speaking about Ivan, the newly developed storm near the winward islands seem as if it may take an ivan path. It has developed a new centre north of the 1st one which may improve its chance of further development for its main obstacle- The South American coast, will be south enough to not be a problem. The new centre however may cause it to interact with the dry saharan dust just to its north which hopefully  may weaken it-- so its movement to the north may be a good or negative thing----we'll have to see and keep an eye on this one. Also the new centre may cause for the track to be moved slightly north.
 
Best regards,
Andre 


Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search!

- WHOOOOOOSH!!!
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2006 09:19:15 -0500

Big Up!
At approximately 3:00 this morning I was awakened by the sound of stuff tumbling over outside, only to my astonishment, it was none other than wind tossing salad. Huge violent gusts probably in the 30 - 40 MPH range which lasted about an hour. I started thinking to myself "who the hell turned on the huge movie prop fan". Right outside my window a few wires were being thrashed about until they made contact and made a brilliant display of fire works which was 'short' lived. When I came online later on I saw what was only cloud clusters on the satellite image with an upper level low associated with it. The event was quite remarkable (don't know if the rest of the island experienced it also) and just might serve as a premonition to that area of low pressure building up on the outskirts of the islands. Wishing for the best and hoping that my prediction is not realized. Stay Safe.

O'Neil J Clarke
Kingston, Jamaica

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


- t.d 5?
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 21:14:34 +0000

Hello everyone,

                     As td 4 appears not to be a threat to us in the caribbean it appears that another system may be in the near futer. The system east of cuba has continued to become better organised and a t.d may be forming soon. It appears that if this prediction comes true it may affeact us here in the western caribbean.

The following is a report from Jeff Masters:

New threat approaching the Lesser Antilles
A tropical wave near 10N 47W has developed some rotation at mid levels, and is a threat to develop into a tropical depression later this week. NHC has assigned this disturbance the name "Invest 97L", and has tentatively tasked the Hurricane Hunters to investigate it on Thursday afternoon. There have been some intermittent bursts of heavy thunderstorm activity this afternoon near the center of circulation, but the cloud pattern is very disorganized at present. Wind shear is about 10-15 knots, the waters underneath are warm, and the wind shear is forecast to remain low for the next week along the system's path. The main impediment to development in the next two days will be the large area of dry air and Saharan dust to the wave's north. The system should move through the Lesser Antilles Islands on Thursday. The GFS and NOGAPS models hint at development in the Central Caribbean by Saturday, and a possible threat to Jamaica, Cuba, and Hispanolia by Sunday. We'll have to watch this system carefully, it has the potential to be trouble.

lets keep our fingers cross for this one to dissipate.



Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search!

- Tis rainin
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 09:47:33 -0500
We had the most spectacular lightening display yesterday, with some scary thunder attached to it. Of course my big bad dogs took off and immediately tried to fit themselves into the suitcases under the beds.
There was plenty of rain along with the light & noise show which was most welcome. We have not had any significant rain in a long time. Kingston is experiencing water shortages in the dams, so you all know how that goes.
I can hear the thunder rumbling in the distance this morning and more lovely rain is expected, let's just hope it's not too much. The ground is so dry that with the heavy rains it just runs off and causes flooding.
The heat buildup on the north coast has been unreal. Too hot to eat, drink so much fluid that you can hear your belly slosh when you walk and the ocean temp is warm, kinda like getting into a tepid hot tub
The weather this year is certainly different and we are all watching and hoping that this is not the signs that something will be coming our way before the end of November.
In the meantime we will enjoy what delightful sweet smelling rain comes our way and not even look at the washing hanging on the line.
Time to go hunt for the brolly
 

- things are about to heat up
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 02:48:55 +0000
Greetings,
            Well what a wonderful hurricane season it has been so far, only 3 named storms -none of them causing much trouble for anyone.However, unfortunately things are about to change. Our well appreciated westerly  windshear that has so far been protecting us by destroying any potential system may be leaving us by next week, being replaced by easterlies which are much more condusive for development, on that note we need to realise that despite this season being fairly quiet we are now about to enter the peak of it all; as a result we need to prepare.
 
Andre


Don't just search. Find. MSN Search Check out the new MSN Search!

- Too Hot
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:04:14 -0400
It is certainly hot here at the moment. The grass is a wonderful shade of brown and crunchy when you walk over it.
The only ones enjoying the heat are the water company and the electric company. Everyone will be moaning later this month when the bills come in.
 
We are certainly all waiting with baited breath as each week passes us by, it is easy to become complacent by the lack of anything happening. Roll on December
 
Sue M
Ocho Rios

- Earthquake & Cape Verde
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 14:21:14 -0500
Big Up from Jamrock,

Hope all is well with those affected by the Earthquake this morning. Good thing the Epicenter was off shore and that no Tsunami has developed. What an impressive looking feature coming off the affrican coast. Another good thing is that it is wayyyyyyyyy out there and no where near the islands. Hope it continues moving more towards the north as forecast and not become a future Classic Cape Verde. Stay Safe.

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/


- New on Board
  • From: "O'Neil Clarke" <hurricane_spotter at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 07:34:55 -0500
Greeting to my fellow correspondents, my name is O'Neil and I just signed up to this spectacular website. I hope all will continue to remain quiet throughout the tropics (forget the trend of the past few years) so we all won't have nothing much to report. Still keeping an eye out nevertheless, it is fast approaching the peak of the season, sea surface temperatures are rising, wind shear is diminishing and systems rolling of the African Coast (like the one in the Mid-Atlantic) will be playing peek-a-boo with us sooner or later.

O'Neil J CLARKE
Kingston JA

_________________________________________________________________
Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/


- Stormy in Jamaica
  • From: "lyons" <lyons at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2006 15:49:13 -0500

We definitely know it is the season (and I don’t mean the season to be jolly) on the south coast of Jamaica. It has been raining here pretty much steadily for four days and today we have had periods of heavy wind and sea. It is very unusual weather considering it ISN”T a hurricane – just a stalled trough, as the weatherman calls it. For now we are staying under cover and watching the gulleys.

 

 

 

Ann Lyons

Culloden Cafe

Whitehouse, Jamaica

><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...><((((º>

 


- here we go again...
  • From: "Andre Marriott-Blake" <sean134 at msn.com>
  • Date: Sat, 03 Jun 2006 00:53:21 +0000
Greetings,
 The 2006 Hurricane season has unfortunately started, to make it worst researchers are saying that this year may resemble the 2004 season. May I remind you all that 2004 brought extremely close calls for Jamaica- Charley in August and Ivan in September(both went on to becoming major Hurricanes). Let' hope that the researchers are wrong and this season will be a boring one, however we still need to prepare. It looks like this weekend may be a rainy one for us here in Jamaica as all eyes are watching that vigorous looking system to our south. My best regards to my fellow west Indians, just a word of advice - BE PREPARED.


Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE!

- Jamaica
  • From: "Sue Morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 05:58:57 -0400
Good Morning all from the hot, dry, scorched town of Ocho Rios.
 
The poor lawn has surpassed dead, one would never believe that it has any hope of recovery. BUT, never fear, hopefully the rains will come next month and all will be back to normal.
 
It is very hot and dry in Ochi, unusually so. Could be an indication to watch the weather carefully. In the meantime, it is wonderful for the people visiting our island, they are leaving with beautiful tans.
 
Sue M
Ocho Rios
 

Back to top | home | tools | pleas for help | QHWRN | guide | climatology | archive