- Updates from the Islands -

- - Honduras - -

- - - 2008 Hurricane Season - - -

- TS Paloma

From: "Mark"
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 04:44:26 -0600

First we had been watching this disturbance very closely, then it turned into Tropical Depression 17 and now Tropical Storm Paloma. It appears that most track lines will have it moving in a more Northerly direction and not affecting us much if at all. This was good news here I just hope it doesn't build up and hit Jamaica or the Caymans with force.

Locally in Calabash Bight we have had a reprieve from the consistent rains for the last 20 hours or so, considering that it is rainy season this is a mini blessing. Skies are partly cloudy, there is only very light wind.

Mark

Calabash Bight, Roatan

- 93L is out there

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 15:45:33 +0000

It has been a very wet October and starting the same in November on the Bay Islands. The islands are greening up rather well. Very little if any tropical fronts or depressions. A new possible system 93L is a broad area of low pressure located over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and could change the picture. Shower and thunderstorm activity has become a little better oganized over the last few hours. There are indications that there will be a potential development for at least the next 3 to 5 days, Certain weather reports give invest 93L a 75 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or a tropical storm by this weekend. Other forecasters have 93-L meandering around the western Caribbean through Saturday before being sheared to the northeast by an approaching front. And yet other forecasters have 93L meandering around the western and southwestern Caribbean this week into Sunday evening moving into the north coast of Honduras and continuing into Central America. The SHIPS intensity guidance forecasts intensification up to about a 55 to 60 mph tropical storm late this week into this weekend. Satellite pictures do indicate that this system is slowly becoming better organized. It is now a waiting situation if it will develop into a tropical depression and where it might go. It is very worthwhile to keep an watchful eye as it could impact the north coast and the Bay Islands.

Ralph on the north coast of Roatan

- 91L brings lots of liquid sunshine

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:06:38 +0000

Good Evening and Good Morning

We have experienced continuous rainfall for two of the last three days. 91L is our scoundrel. The North shoreline/reef has a brown cast to it, lots of earth runoff. It is interesting to my wife and I because we moved here exactly three years ago yesterday during Hurricane Wilma and then Gamma followed. Quite different now that we have our furniture etc, not locked in a container on board a ship at the local shipping facility, additionally we have electricity. Hope 91L keeps it number name as it finds its way North.

Ralph

Northeast Roatan

Ralph and Gerry Shotswell
La Casa Verde en Punta Blanca,

Municipality of Jose Santos Guardiola
Isla de la Bahia, Roatan, Honduras
USA Toll Free: 866-712-6532, Dallas: 214-329-4933

HonduranCells: (R) 3359-4179, (G) 3357-3110

- TD #16 Taking it easy on Gravel Bay, Roatan

From: "Jerry & Mildred Petersen" <petersen at biblebasics.org>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:01:32 -0500

TD #16 is on the mainland now, headed more or less west. We've had considerable rain today but not nearly as much as we expected. It's gotten muddy enough that we closed off the soccer field here at the radio station. There are times it almost looks like the sun will come out. Then a band will come by and it will get really dark. From our house, we can see the rain bands as they approach from the east and pass over Coxen Hole and the bay between us. Due to the lack of erosion control at the many construction sites here, we have heard that the paved roads have quite a bit of mud on them. Definitely bad for the coral reef. We've been unable to get out and see for ourselves, because protesters have closed most of the roads because the price of electricity suddenly doubled. So what we know of other parts of Roatan is second hand info.

Jerry
Gravel Bay, Roatan Island, Honduras

- TD #16 Rain some wind and more rain

From: "Mark"
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:54:49 -0600

TD #16 is forecast to come just south of us here on Roatan, presently it is located at 16.0 N and 84.2 W and we are at 16.2 N and 86.2 W. At this point I hope that it moves more inland since passing just south of us isn't a good thing. If it stays over water it will most likely become a Tropical Storm, hence we are under a Storm warning now. We have been getting rain bands passing through about once an hour sometimes rather heavy and some gusts in the 20 knot range but not too bad so far. I feel for Dave as he said the USVI are not mentioned at all and are part of the US but might as well not be. Don't feel bad Dave since Roatan isn't on the planet as far as the weather channel is concerned either (except for one mention last year when we were under fire)!

Mark

Calabash Bight, Roatan Island, Honduras

- Invest 99L Becomes Tropical Depression #16

From: "Mark"
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:21:51 -0600

Invest 99L is now Tropical Depression #16. It is heading straight for the Honduras coastline and to follow it until about the Guatemala / Belize border then move inland. It is forecast to become a Tropical Storm if it does not move inland earlier than predicted instead of following the coast line. Roatan needs to watch this one closely. Rain is coming down fairly well today with intermittent Northeast winds gusting to about 25 knots,

Mark

Calabash Bight, Roatan, HN

- OUR TURN

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:57:46 +0000

OUR TURN. By all indications TD16 is headed to the Bay Islands. Honduran government issued warning this am. It would be advisable for all to batten down the hatches. The island has been receiving bands over the last 12-15 hours. Heavy black clouds dumping rain with gusty winds. Short lived, but very dampening. Hope for the best that it doesn't arrive with a name tattooed it.

- More info on 99L

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:18:35 +0000

More information on 99L.
Showers and thunderstorms will continue in the southwestern Caribbean Sea just east of Nicaragua including Honduras and the Bay Islands.
An US Air Force Reserve Hurricane Tracking Aircraft is scheduled to investigate the low pressure system Tuesday or Wednesday. The upper level winds are favorable for development, the system is likely to become a tropical depression on Tuesday or Wednesday. This wave is expected to produce heavy rains over Nicaragua, Honduras and Belize.
Ralph G Shotswell, Roatan

- 99L

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:52:27 +0000

Report from the north side of Roatan
99L is working its way north, presently at 14.0 82.0W (Nicaraguan/Honduras border) at 4 mph with a Max wind of 30 mph. Three different models have it turning towards the Bay Islands and Belize. At 6:00 MST a strong rain band was seen on parts of the Bay Islands. There is a very dense cloud cover over the islands tonight. It is possible that 99L will develop into a TStorm by am tomorrow.
Have a nice evening

Ralph and Gerry Shotswell
La Casa Verde en Punta Blanca,

Municipality of Jose Santos Guardiola
Isla de la Bahia, Roatan, Honduras
USA Toll Free: 866-712-6532, Dallas: 214-329-4933

HonduranCells: (R) 3359-4179, (G) 3357-3110

- Update

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 14:21:41 +0000

Good Morning from NE Roatan.

Long awaited rain has found its way to Roatan the last few days, It has been an extremely dry summer.

A strong low pressure system is producing thunderstorms and showers over Roatan and the northwestern Caribbean. There is a possibility that further development may occur. There is some possibility that a tropical system may develop near the coast of Nicaragua and track slowly northwestward next week. This system could develop in the northwestern Caribbean on Tuesday and then sit in the northwestern Caribbean through the following weekend. It is also possible that this system could instead flow into the eastern Pacific.

- Gustav

From: "Mark"
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:28:24 -0600

I have been wondering why the tracking models had Gustav going almost straight north when I could see a ridge forming above it on the Radio Fax from the weather service. Now that Gustav is a Catagory 1 hurricane the track has now been modified to reflect this more westerly course. Guess sometimes just plain old weather charts can help out in tracking? Anyway we are keeping an eye on this one cause as the old saying goes, it aint over till the fat lady sings! We do need rain and could use a good bit of it but not a hurricanes worth!

Mark

Calabash Bight, Roatan

- Good Morning

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:08:04 +0000

Good Morning from the NE coast of Roatan

This morning the system called 94L is producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the north coast of Venezuela, the southern Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. 94L deserves a watchful eye by all in the Caribbean. 94L is becoming more organized. 94-L could be a tropical depression or storm by early week. It appears that it will track , based on the latest information, towards Hispaniola, Cuba and Jamaica . There are some thoughts that 94L could also move further west though and continue to travel the Caribbean and hence move into the Gulf of Mexico. As it appears the Bay Islands are not in harms way. Meantime the temperature rises this morning as ole sol rises in the east and there are very few breezes and the only sound heard is the bread machine cranking out the start of a good breakfast.

Ralph G Shotswell, Punta Blanca

- Good morning from Roatan North

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:03:31 +0000

Good Morning from Northeast Roatan
Very unusual weather so far this month, not hot and a whole lot of Caribbean sea breezes. Finally have been getting some well needed showers, starting to green up again. Tropical weather has been unheard of thus far, but we need to start keeping a watchful eye on the East towards Africa/Mid Atlantic as various reports are saying that things are starting to change. There are three possible culprits out there that can develop within the next week or so. Meantime lets enjoy the weather that we have been blessed with.
Ralph

- Thunderstorms over Central Roatan

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:34:43 +0000

Earlier this evening around 6 pm heavy rain showers attacked the Central portion of the island in the French Harbour and "The View" areas. Not much wind around 8 kts out of the NE/E, but a torrential downpour. Visibility was at almost zero for about 5 minutes on the main road. It is three hours later, some lightning strikes to the Northeast of the island, but very calm. Bugs galore.

Ralph in Punta Blanca, Roatan, Honduras

- Dodging Dolly

From: "Mark"
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:20:46 -0600

Looks like we will be dodging Dolly this time! After watching that activity (94L) for the past week it is nice to see it North of us. I have a friend on a cruising sailboat that is on the other side of the Dominican Republic from Dolly. Made a smart move they did! Weather here is cumulous, building in coverage very fast and a North wind of about 7 knots but no rain since about 8 PM last night.

Mark

Calabash Bight, Roatan

- isla de la bahia, Roatan, Honduras

From: Ralph Shotswell <rgshotswell at msn.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:38:51 +0000

Quick introduction: My name is Ralph and I live on the North side of Roatan. I will attempt to keep you abreast of the weather going ons on the North side of our beautiful island. As of this morning we have high fluffy cumulus clouds in a beautiful blue sky. Ole Sol is also doing his thing. A slight Easterly breeze is cooling us off. It is in the mid 80's at 9:30. I hope that the current frontal that is heading NW and Northeast of us does not dampen to many spirits.

- 95L & 94L

From: "Mark"
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:33:50 -0600

95L has reached us here in Calabash Bight on Roatan. Some gusting winds to about 30 knots with heavy rain at times. Presently down to a light drizzle but looking skyward we will see more rain before the day is over. 94L is still not a Tropical Depression at this time and that's ok with us as the forecast tracks are too close for comfort!

Mark

- Feeling the edge

From: "Mark"
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:44:03 -0600

We have rain this morning on the East end of the Island anyway. So far about 1" has fallen but looks to be just a temporary rain before the main body gets here later today/tonight. Still watching this local disturbance which might build and also invest 94L. Yep getting busy here!

Mark

- Gearing Up

From: "Mark"
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:35:51 -0600

Weather has been warm here, into 89 to 90deg. range last few days with some clouds and rain early morning around 3AM but not enough to even whet the plants thirst. It does however look like we may get a bit more than bargained for by this upcoming Tropical Wave maybe getting a bit stronger before it reaches us here. The looking further on there is Invest 94L we have been keeping an eye on. It will have room to build more but we hope it turns out to be nothing more than rain for everyone!

Mark

- Rain? Rain!

From: "Mark"
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:30:39 -0600

Yes, this morning there was actually about a 1/2" of rain that fell! Very welcome but not near enough after barely a 1/4" of rain over the last two months. We still have a chance looking at the satellite but I am not going to bet on it!

Mark

Calabash Bight

- Another Tropical Wave

From: "Mark"
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 08:48:48 -0600

At 23 knots out of the East with gusts to 26 kts we have yet another Tropical Wave upon us. Doesn't look like rain will come with it though and I am glad to report that there is no other significant weather to report.

Mark

- Tropical Storm Arthur

From: "Mark"
Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2008 03:42:22 -0600

It appears that Arthur is pulling some wind across Roatan this morning, speeds of 20 knors with gusts to 30 are rolling by here out of the South, South East.

Mark

- Building Low system

From: "Mark"
Date: Sat, 31 May 2008 05:59:48 -0600

This is what we woke up to this morning here in Calabash Bight, Roatan. We expect more rain but hope for others that this doesnt build much more.

Mark & Lori

- Tropical Depression Alma

From: "Mark"
Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 11:00:46 -0600

30th May,2008
Rain! Yes we needed this rain badly, Everyone was running out of water but
did we need a Tropical Depression this early? Anyway everyone here is keeping an
eye on Alma but it appears that we may get some more rain out of it and maybe
a little wind but not much else. Those mountains on the Mainland Honduras
should break her up pretty good.

Mark

Roatan

- Roatan Weather

From: Helen Murphy <hmurphy2005 at yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 11:30:40 -0700 (PDT)

After 2 months of no rain and dusty, dry conditions we are finally looking at the possibility of some rain. However, i have been reading that some weather forecasters think this blob off the coast of Honduras/Nicacagua might have some potential to develop. Will be keeping a very close eye on this the next few days. Regards from Roatan. Helen (roatan gardener)