Forecasts currently call for waves from the north to quickly build Monday, peaking late Monday/Tuesday around 14 ft from the north.  The wind will also pick up at the same time from the NE around 18 – 22 knots.  Swells will slowly subside through Wednesday, with much calmer conditions by Thursday.  Bathers should use caution on the north facing beaches late Monday/Tuesday.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

TO VIEW THIS EVENT LIVE, GO TO (may need to refresh a few times to get it to work):

http://www.earthcam.com/cams/anguilla/meadsbay/

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 8:30 AM – Not much change from yesterday (see below), except the forecast for seas has them now slightly larger, and winds now forecast only in the low 20’s – still from the NE.  Clouds and showers for today with possibly some sun Thursday as the system moves east.  Small craft advisory now in effect through Sat. morning.  Bathers should stay out of the water on the north-facing beaches – especially on Thursday.  Barnes, Meads, Crocus, Limestone and Captains Bays will be especially hazardous. Should be some outstanding photo opportunities at Windward Point on Thursday.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 12:00 noon - Appears that Mother Nature will throw a little bit of everything at us the next few days – seas, wind, rain.  First, forecasts call for some of the largest seas so far this season starting early Wed. through early Friday.  High seas marine forecast calls for 9-11 foot NW swells, which means 12 - 15+ foot surf from the NW is possible on the north beaches.  By Thursday, these seas could be life threatening for any bathers crazy enough to venture in the water.  Add to this NE gusty winds of 20 – 25 mph with higher gusts later Wednesday and on Thursday, causing wind-driven spray and erosion.  Finally, a frontal boundary approaching from the west will give us an increasing chance of showers – could be heavy at times, especially Thursday.  Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible in passing squalls.  By late Thursday, the south beaches can expect ground seas for several days as the system moves off to our SE.

The NWS has already issued a small craft advisory tonight through Friday evening, and the Meteorological Dept. in Curacao has issued a high surf advisory for St.. Martin’s north shore.

Summary – Wed. through Fri., expect very rough seas from the NW, gusty wind conditions from the NE, ground seas on the south beaches and an increasing chance of showers/rain.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Tuesday, December 28, 2010, 12:00 noon - Appears that Mother Nature will throw a little bit of everything at us the next few days – seas, wind, rain.  First, forecasts call for some of the largest seas so far this season starting early Wed. through early Friday.  High seas marine forecast calls for 9-11 foot NW swells, which means 12 - 15+ foot surf from the NW is possible on the north beaches.  By Thursday, these seas could be life threatening for any bathers crazy enough to venture in the water.  Add to this NE gusty winds of 20 – 25 mph with higher gusts later Wednesday and on Thursday, causing wind-driven spray and erosion.  Finally, a frontal boundary approaching from the west will give us an increasing chance of showers – could be heavy at times, especially Thursday.  Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible in passing squalls.  By late Thursday, the south beaches can expect ground seas for several days as the system moves off to our SE.

The NWS has already issued a small craft advisory tonight through Friday evening, and the Meteorological Dept. in Curacao has issued a high surf advisory for St.. Martin’s north shore.

Summary – Wed. through Fri., expect very rough seas from the NW, gusty wind conditions from the NE, ground seas on the south beaches and an increasing chance of showers/rain.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Sat., 24 December, 10:00 AM – Looks like a bit of an easing in the rough seas for today and part of tomorrow, but then they return again Sat. night and Sunday – from the NW near the same intensity as this past Wed./Thursday - before dying off on Monday.  Unfortunately, for those looking for a break, forecasts now call for the 9 – 12 ft. N swells to return again next Wed. or Thursday – with the added problem of gusty NE winds AND larger ground seas on the south coast.  While it’s still pretty far off for any kind of an accurate forecast, these conditions could last through next weekend.  More next week if the forecast looks accurate.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

22 December.  8:00 AM – Not much change from yesterdays’ forecasts (details below) except seas will start building late today and will peak Thursday slightly rougher than yesterday’s forecast.  Also, after subsiding a bit on Friday, they will again build to the same height on Sunday.  The NWS small craft advisory is now in effect through Sunday.  As stated below, boaters/bathers should take necessary precautions.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

21 December.  8:30 AM - Anguilla will be experiencing high seas for several days starting late Wednesday.  Forecasts call for seas to start building late Wednesday  and by Thursday will be from the NNW and then N in the 9 – 12 foot range. These conditions will peak late Thursday/early Friday and SLIGHTLY subside by Saturday, but build again by Sunday, then finally subsiding on Monday.  The north shore especially will experience very rough sea conditions with probable beach erosion.  The south will probably receive the resulting ground seas starting Friday.  Because of the rough sea conditions, swimmers are urged to stay out of the water on the north facing beaches and boaters should use caution.  A small craft advisory has already been issued by the NWS for late Wednesday through Friday.  Good news is the winds will be light to moderate from the NE.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Anguilla will be experiencing high seas for several days starting late Wednesday.  Forecasts call for seas to start building late Wednesday  and by Thursday will be from the NNW and then N in the 9 – 12 foot range. These conditions will peak late Thursday/early Friday and SLIGHTLY subside by Saturday, but build again by Sunday, then finally subsiding on Monday.  The north shore especially will experience very rough sea conditions with probable beach erosion.  The south will probably receive the resulting ground seas starting Friday.  Because of the rough sea conditions, swimmers are urged to stay out of the water on the north facing beaches and boaters should use caution.  A small craft advisory has already been issued by the NWS for late Wednesday through Friday.  Good news is the winds will be light to moderate from the NE.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

20 Nov.  8:00 AM - Anguilla over the next several days will be experiencing the “double whammy” of both high seas and strong winds.  Forecasts call for seas to start building Sunday and by Monday will be from the NE in the 11 – 14 foot range.  At the same time, winds will build from the NE in 22 – 27 mph range with gusts in the low 30’s.  These conditions will peak on Monday and SLOWLY subside by late Wednesday/Thursday.  The north shore especially will experience very rough sea conditions with probable beach erosion.  Because of the rough sea conditions, swimmers are urged to stay out of the water on the north facing beaches and boaters should use caution.  A small craft warning will be (or has already been) issued.

(Information based on current forecasts/conditions – subject to change.)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

It's a "picture postcard" kinda day here in Anguilla - bright blue skies, gentle breeze, white puffy clouds, calm seas. Make's you glad to be alive! Saba (picture below) is 36 miles away but today looks like it's right out in the middle of the channel.  Can even see the houses in Hells Gate.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

So woke up this AM and the Good Lord finally gave us some sun after 4 days.  Gotcha!  After just 2 hours of sun, the skies have opened up again and it is ANOTHER downpour!  Rain rate as high as 7 in. per hour. and winds of 40 mph.  And now for the first time in 4 days, we have thunder and lightning.  Got ½ inch in just a few minutes.  Sure am glad I opened the house to let it dry out!  More later!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

OK, this is getting old now.  We had a pretty quite night with just some wind (32 mph gust about 2:30) with very little rain – until about 9:00 this morning, when the skies opened up AGAIN!  Had another 0.5 in. of rain, and still coming down hard.  But now there is thunder off in the distance – first time in 3 days we’ve heard that.  Lucky for us, we are a flat little island (unlike St. Barths/St. Martin and Saba), so we just have LOTS of standing water, and the salt ponds are all filling up – but handeling the rain.  With the seas from the south, the south-facing beaches are once again getting pounded and experiencing more erosion.  Sounds like others down south are getting a bit of a break, but not here.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Another heavy band just came thru, giving us another 0.1 in of rain and wind gusts of 38 MPH.  Just had to empty out some water from the pool as it was overflowing.  Also, schools in Anguilla were closed, but on my trip earlier this morning, found no evidence of flooding, just some large puddles of standing water.

Some pretty angry sea, as shown below.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Feels like we’re having a “mini-hurricane” here in Anguilla.  Heavy rain started around 1:00 AM, then wind really picked up around 5:00 AM – steady 22 – 27 mph, with gusts to 45 mph.  So far, 3.9 in. since 1:00 PM yesterday and from the looks of it, have more to come. Had 1.78 in since 1:00 AM, but just started raining heavy again few minutes ago.  As before, posted additional graphs on the rain event on my site below, and am now updating every 5 minutes.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

The rain started in ernest around 1:00 AM and then the skies really opened up – rain rates of 4+ in. per hour.  As of 2:30, already picked up 1.5 in. – and it’s still raining.  And why am I writing this at 2:30 in the morning?  The rain is so hard beating down on the roof, no way I can sleep.  Hopefully, it will let up at some point.  Also, I’ve added some special rain graphs to my site below until this mess gets outta here.  I would expect St. Martin to have some serious flooding right about now,

More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Except for a few brief downpours, we’ve had a nice, gentle rain all day long – mostly a rain rate of less that ¼ in. per hour, and the winds have been very light out of the S and SSE.  Great day for reading a good book.   So far, 1.14 in., but looks like more on the way.  All this rain has sure “greened” the trees up after Earl turned everything all brown.  It’s been a while since we’ve seen Anguilla this green – even had to cut the grass this weekend!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Last night at 2:00 AM, we had the heaviest rain I ever remember here – a rain rate of 5.94 in. per hour!  Luckily, it only lasted about 7 – 8 minutes, but gave us almost 1/2 in. of rain in that short time.  Light drizzle yesterday until mid afternoon, then a little very hazy sunshine.  Heavy overcast this AM with just a passing heavy downpour.  Looks like it will be like this for a few days, but nice and cool anyway.

Stay dry!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

As of noon today, the waves and swells from Igor here on the north shore of Anguilla are – well, spectacularly, un-spectacular.  Was going to take some pictures but not much to take pictures of – actually, a pretty calm day, with an occasional swell, but nothing out of the ordinary.  Maybe later today/early tomorrow, but I have a feeling it’s passing too far to the NE to really other us.  We’ll see.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

NHC has been forecasting for several days now a turn to the WNW then NW, but so far, this has not occurred.  For the past 36 hours, Igor has been traveling due west (270º) along 17.7ºN.  Just 24 hours ago, the NHC projected that by 5:00 PM today, Igor would already be at 18.1º - instead, it is still at 17.7ºN

However… everything still points to a NW track well to the north of Anguilla (about 460 miles), and there is nothing out there that indicates that this won’t be the case.  But, as always – you just never know.  Check the 5:00 and 11:00 AM forecast tomorrow to make sure Igor has actually started to make the WNW turn.

Finally, we should expect some rough surf on the north shore Tuesday from the E and NE– the 5:00 PM warning from the NHC follows:

SWELLS GENERATED BY IGOR WILL BEGIN AFFECTING THE LEEWARD ISLANDS ON TUESDAY. THESE SWELLS ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS.

(Note: Wave forecasts show these seas starting to arrive late Tuesday – right now, 10 – 12 ft..)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

Just 24 hours ago, the NHC forecast position at 11:00 AM today called for Igor to be at 18.0ºN – instead, it is now at 17.5ºN.  All day yesterday, it pretty much stayed at 17.7º, but it in now traveling slightly S of due W (about 265º).  It’s a little concerning that the projected NW turn keeps moving further and further to the west. Though a couple of models are dropping the track a little further south (Canadian,CLP5 and BAMS), still looks like passing well to our north.  Just would feel better with a NW direction.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

So for 18 hours now, Igor has been stuck on a heading of 270º at 17.7ºN, now with winds of 140 mph.  (Anguilla is at 18.17ºN.)  The NHC forecast at 5:00 AM this morning predicted that by 5:00 PM this afternoon, Igor would now be at 17.9ºN with winds of 75 knots! Like we all say – an inexact science.

Better start that turn soon!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Interesting to note that the 11:00 AM XTRP model for Igor (heading for the past 12 hours) shows Igor still heading due west – 270°  Sure hope the forecast turn to the NW happens soon – forecast to be Cat 4 by the time it’s north of us.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Below is the projected track/C.P.A. for Igor followed by the same info for Earl - both plots are 120 hours before reaching C.P.A.  With Earl everyone was feeling pretty safe with the storm passing 427 mi. to our north and 5 days away – turned out it passed just 39 miles to our north as Cat1/Cat2.  Like we always say – weather is an inexact science.  Keep a close watch – this is supposed to be a large, powerful storm!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Since sunrise, the wind has blown steady ESE at 17 – 20 mph, with several gusts reaching 30 – 32 mph – but no rain.  Some clouds around but nothing coming out of them.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

OK, can somebody figure out what’s going on with Gaston?  The NHC says “probably”, but Gert and Weather Underground don’t even recognize it.  Fine – but then you read how Crown Weather interprets some of the models this AM:

… waffles back and forth between a weak area of low pressure and a significant hurricane in just 48 hours from now.

… continues to indicate significant strengthening and a track that would take this system across the northern Leeward Islands during Tuesday and to just south of Puerto Rico…

… forecasts a moderate tropical storm by Tuesday morning and a hurricane by Tuesday night.

… forecasts Ex-Gaston to become a moderate strength tropical storm by Tuesday, a hurricane by Wednesday and a major hurricane by Thursday.

So we go from “weak low pressure” to “major hurricane”.  Doesn’t look like much this morning, but you get a little uneasy with it sitting on your doorstep like that.

Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

       
The eye of Hurricane Earl is seen in this photo taken from the International Space Station. At the time Earl was centred just north of the Virgin Islands

Picture: NASA / REUTERS

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Winds (???) are clocking to the NNW, so guess that means that Fiona is close/passing.  Only problem is the winds are 0 – 3 MPH, with a gust to 12.  Not even cooling it off.  Light, misty rain (0.03 in) which is great for the foliage.  Fiona is going to pass 90+ miles to our NE in a few hours, but looks to be a major non-event.  But now we can start watching just formed TD 9 850 miles out east.  Be a few days before we know what’s happening.

Locally – ice is getting very hard to find.  Banks, gov’t and schools closed, no ATM’s or credit cards.  Went to 4 stations this AM – 3 closed, one had only 2 pumps working – 45 min. for 10 gals. for my generator.  No boats, ferries in The Cove.  Looks like all guests gone from Cap Juluca (backup generator went off this AM), but guests still at Viceroy – not accepting new reservations for a few days, but honoring all existing. Think both be fully operational weekend/next week.  Still hard to get to/from SXM – hit or miss.  Some reports of power back on in central AXA, but assume close to power station.  Last night, could see only few house lights on western half of island – no street lights.  Saw only 1 ANGLEC truck this morning, on coffee break.  No ANGLEC crews on West End.  I’m assuming (hoping) they are just waiting for Fiona passage.  Lots of LIME, cable work crews out.  LIME phone land line and internet has been 24/7 through everything- pretty amazing.  Lots of cell phone problems – pretty much down, but sporadic.

Probably nothing more unless TD develops.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

So winds have now increased to 60 MPH, but hope it goes where it’s supposed to and we’ll miss most of it.  Hot, hazy sunshine, light winds (4 mph, gusts to 9) this AM.  Should pass CPA 60 miles to our NE.  Yard pretty much cleaned up, furniture out of the pool and on the deck, hurricane shutters all down – AND THAT’S THE WAY IT’S STAYING!  Gonna just ride this one out.  So bring it on!  More later.  Steve

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Finally managed to get some pictures posted that I took last night.  Can be seen at http://www.anguilla-weather.com/earl.html

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Earl finally left us last night – up until then, we had gusty winds from the south and light rain.  The high winds from the SE quadrant that passed through late morning were gone by late afternoon.  Lots of branches down, few big old trees. Only saw 2 electric poles knocked down, but grocery, hardware stores packed.  Lot of people out.  Of the 10 or so commercial boats in Road Bay, all except 2 went on the beach – one sank on its mooring.  House on the side of the hill above Sandy Ground had most of the roof torn off, as well as Road School roof (partial).  Lots of beach erosion, but still plenty of good beach left – just some shifting around.  SXM airport is open and American flying in.  Saw Funtime Charters launching boats this AM, so might be ferry service today.  Gov’t offices, banks, stores all open as usual, but no credit card transactions.  Maybe get some welcome rain from Fiona to wash salt off trees.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

2:15 PM – Monday

Back on line with gen power – battery pack &  laptop both went down.  So Earl was supposed to have gone by early morning and tht was it.  Didn’t happen.  Was a lot of wind during the night and especially this morning when my wind meter broke at 88 mph. with the wind from the west. Wind started to clock around to the SW and when it got south, it started REALLY blowing – I guess because of the SE quadrant.  I recall what 88 mph was like and these winds had to be over 100 mph.  They started about 11:30 or 12:00, and are just dying now – a little.  I know they were stronger because up until then, we just lost branches – at noon, we started losing trees and electric lines. It’s been raining for a good 3 – 4 hours now, about 1.5 in. so far.  The seas are unbelievable - the south shore will definitely get the worst of it.  Starting to die a little, but the past 3 hours were the worst.  Cheers, Steve

10:40 AM – Monday

The wind is pretty much out of the southwest now, and Earl has found some “new life”!  Winds are as strong as they have been – in fact, a little stronger.  Since the salt pond is not supposed to have breakers in it, I assume the sea has broken through to the salt pond between Cap Juluca and Altemar.  Battery pack keeps beeping, so assume it won’t last lng.  Still moderate rain, but no downpours.  Lots of broken limbs, no trees down I cab see,  Ooops – the rain just started in sheets – coming through all the cracks on the south side.  Towel time!  Later! - Steve

9:40 AM - Monday

Just walked out on front (east) deck, stuck my head around corner and was literally blown over.  Saw my kyack flying across the yard.  No poles down, lots of cable tv wires.  Caught a quick glimpse of the sea between Cap Juluca/Altamer – roughest I’ve seen.  Probably get worse with south wind.  Raining harder but now no rain gauge – except for wind speed/rain, others work.  Laptop battery dead, running modem/laptop off battery pack – see how long it holds. – Stay safe - Steve

9:00 AM Monday

No power since 3:30, on laptop/battery/backup.  Wind clocked around from north to west and is now starting to SW.  Windmeter broke at 88 mph.  Very little rain, lots of wind – I’m sure around 100.  Lots of smll tress down, wires all over road.  Goy a call from Barbados early am, are supposed to send chopper as soon as wind dies.  Hot inside, feels like tomb, DAMN noisy!  Less that 0.3 in rain.  More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

10:40 AM – Monday

The wind is pretty much out of the southwest now, and Earl has found some “new life”!  Winds are as strong as they have been – in fact, a little stronger.  Since the salt pond is not supposed to have breakers in it, I assume the sea has broken through to the salt pond between Cap Juluca and Altemar.  Battery pack keeps beeping, so assume it won’t last lng.  Still moderate rain, but no downpours.  Lots of broken limbs, no trees down I cab see,  Ooops – the rain just started in sheets – coming through all the cracks on the south side.  Towel time!  Later! - Steve

9:40 AM - Monday

Just walked out on front (east) deck, stuck my head around corner and was literally blown over.  Saw my kyack flying across the yard.  No poles down, lots of cable tv wires.  Caught a quick glimpse of the sea between Cap Juluca/Altamer – roughest I’ve seen.  Probably get worse with south wind.  Raining harder but now no rain gauge – except for wind speed/rain, others work.  Laptop battery dead, running modem/laptop off battery pack – see how long it holds. – Stay safe - Steve

9:00 AM Monday

No power since 3:30, on laptop/battery/backup.  Wind clocked around from north to west and is now starting to SW.  Windmeter broke at 88 mph.  Very little rain, lots of wind – I’m sure around 100.  Lots of smll tress down, wires all over road.  Goy a call from Barbados early am, are supposed to send chopper as soon as wind dies.  Hot inside, feels like tomb, DAMN noisy!  Less that 0.3 in rain.  More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

9:40 AM - Monday

Just walked out on front (east) deck, stuck my head around corner and was literally blown over.  Saw my kyack flying across the yard.  No poles down, lots of cable tv wires.  Caught a quick glimpse of the sea between Cap Juluca/Altamer – roughest I’ve seen.  Probably get worse with south wind.  Raining harder but now no rain gauge – except for wind speed/rain, others work.  Laptop battery dead, running modem/laptop off battery pack – see how long it holds. – Stay safe - Steve

9:00 AM Monday

No power since 3:30, on laptop/battery/backup.  Wind clocked around from north to west and is now starting to SW.  Windmeter broke at 88 mph.  Very little rain, lots of wind – I’m sure around 100.  Lots of smll tress down, wires all over road.  Goy a call from Barbados early am, are supposed to send chopper as soon as wind dies.  Hot inside, feels like tomb, DAMN noisy!  Less that 0.3 in rain.  More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

No power since 3:30, on laptop/battery/backup.  Wind clocked around from north to west and is now starting to SW.  Windmeter broke at 88 mph.  Very little rain, lots of wind – I’m sure around 100.  Lots of smll tress down, wires all over road.  Goy a call from Barbados early am, are supposed to send chopper as soon as wind dies.  Hot inside, feels like tomb, DAMN noisy!  Less that 0.3 in rain.  More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Sort of a quite night, very little rain (0.14 since midnight), wind is DRAMATICALLY picking up – avg. 38, high gust, 54 MPH.  Still going to pass 30 miles north, but in just a few hours, not noon.  Wind is 105 when it passes.  Already trees down in the yard.  As soon as the winds clock around to the W, watch out – it’s then just to our north.  Running the gen set to get the fridge cold, but time to turn off.  Web site is updated with latest data. Stay safe.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Is now a cat 2 – 100mph, and has “jogged” closer to Anguilla – 30 miles, within the sector of hurricane force winds.  Should pass to our north late morning, at which time there will probably be strongest winds from the SW – S.  Got a wind gust of 34 mph at 10:15, but mostly in low 20’s out of the N-NE.  Band of rain came through about 10:00 (less than 0.1 inch), but nothing else.  Time to try to grab a little sleep.  Hunker down!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

At least a little good news for us – Earl will arrive and depart in daylight hours.  Looking like cat 1 right now, but our north shore will really get battered with waves.  Right now, calm before the storm – hazy sun, very little breeze.  Hoping for normal flights in/out of St. Martin – wife comes in from MIA at 1:50.  Most boats are hauled but Funtime Charters is supposed to operate for afternoon flights.  Assume will be last flights for a while.  Stay safe!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Boats have either mostly been hauled out or are hightailing it south!  The sea all of a sudden got really rough on the north shore late today – probably due to a NE wind and effects from Danielle passing.  I’m hoping out friends in Barbuda will post updates as Earl passes because they will feel the effects about 9 hours before us.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

This morning, people were busy hauling boats from the Cove and Sandy Ground (not a good sign).  We will definitely get some bad weather, just a question of how bad!  With the CPA at 69 miles, right now looks like strong TS force winds, some serious waves and a good bit of rain.  Let’s hope the NHC and models are correct this time re: Earls path.  But beautiful day diving this morning – bright blue sky, flat seas, gentle breeze.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

At 11:53 today, we set a 7 year record with a heat index reading of 107.3 °F, and at 11:55 today, we came within 0.4°F of breaking a 7 year high temperature record of 91°F.  Plus the sea breeze is just about non-existant – 2 to 4 knots tops.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Had 4 small, quick showers come through overnight giving us 0.15 in. of nice rain.  More dark clouds to our east so suspect we’ll get some more.  Certainly cooled things off.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Right now the boys in the boat race would like a little bit of Colin.  Gusts have been 5 knots, but steady only 2 or 3 - and for the past 10 min, - 0.  Sea looks like a millpond, and it’s hot and humid! Whatever Colin was supposed to deliver never happened!  Heat index was over 100 at times this afternoon.  Maybe something later. But this sure beats a TD or hurricane!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Starting about 1:30 this morning, lots of thunder, lightening, rain (0.77 in. so far) and wind (30 knots).  Still light to moderate rain and some distant rumbles of thunder, but satellite shows it should be out of here soon.  Looks like Colin is staying well to our north, but even if there is a major change in the track, the TS wind field is so small (30 miles), it would need to be a direct hit to amount to anything.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

No thunder or lightening for about 1-1/2 hours – just lots of steady, heavy rain.  We have 0.92 right now, falling at the rate of 2.0 – 2.5 in./hr.  I’m now updating my weather station at http://www.anguilla-weather.com every 5 minutes until this system passes.

Steve Donahue

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Well, the edge of the tropical wave to our east has just reached us.  Nice, sunny morning until 10:15 when a SERIOUS thunderstorm passed to our south over SXM.  Now at 11:00, the rain started here – but thunder is staying to our south.

Good news is, our good friends in SXM lent us a fire truck for the airport, so after 6 days, looks like Liat and American can fly in today.  We’ll see!

Steve Donahue

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Went diving this morning – sea temp at 60 – 70 ft. was 84° at one site, 85° at another.  But vis was maybe 20 – 25 feet because of serious algae bloom that’s been here for a week or so – worst I and others have ever seen.  Friend was fishing 35 miles north at Sombrero and had same green water there, and SST of 87°.  If any hurricane gets anywhere near us, it’ll love these warm seas – and the algae “soup” will just make it warmer!

Steve Donahue

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

So this morning about 6:30, it turned dark as night, the wind started howling (21 kn. steady, 39 kn. gusts), some thunder and lightening – and nothin’!  It was pouring out in the St. Martin – Anguilla channel, and we here in the course of ½ hour got 0.05 in. total.  So now we have a total of 9.7 in. ALL THIS YEAR – guess my cistern will never be filled.

Steve Donahue

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

To our friends to the west in the Virgins and Puerto Rico – don’t count on this system to fill your cisterns.  There has been a “blob” stretching a few hundred miles to our west, but no rain here.  We had a period of light showers mid-morning (about 0.3 in. total) and that’s been it!  Sun has been trying to break through for several hours this afternoon.  And do we need the rain!  We’ve had a whooping total of a little over 8 inches all year – on top of our driest year in memory last year (23 inches).  Maybe we’ll get some before it’s all out of here.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177