- Updates from the Islands -

- - Anguilla - -

- - - 2011 Hurricane Season - - -

- Small Brown Dog

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 19:35:27 +0100

I know I am not supposed to report from the UK but it was 76F when I arrived back and it is now 34F and I know how many of you follow the small brown dog and here she is this evening in the snow. As I said before enjoy your sunshine.

Little Bay Barn

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- Across the pond again

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 18:53:00 +0100

Sadly I have had to leave my winter home and take the ferry to St. Martin, the Air France Airbus to Paris, the TGV to Lille, The Eurostar to London, the Virgin Pendelino to Preston and then jump onto the train for Penrith, all with small brown dog of course, who I have to say was pretty exhausted by the trip but behaved impeccably as always. I left Anguilla on Tuesday 27th March in a bit of a haze what with the Saharan Sand and Monserratt spewing out volcanic dust it was hard to see even Prickly Pear from my porch. Up to date on the Searocks we had only had 1.60 inches of rain for March, again not enough, but the week before I left was gorgeous and I had some wonderful dives with Dougie to see me through the summer. I attach a couple of pics of the ocean on fire 2 nights before I left. This will be my last post for a while and as I sit here in 2 fleeces and a vest, corduroy trousers socks and various other bits and pieces I wish everyone very well (it is supposed to snow on the hills here next week), enjoy your warmth.

Until next time,

Little Bay Barn

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- Fw: Long-Line Fishing Petition To Remain In Circulation - Support Is Growing

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:27:34 -0000

Afternoon Everyone,

Please any of you that enjoy the ocean and seafood in the Caribbean, please sign this petition, Bermuda is only a start, long-line fishing should be banned worldwide, as a diver I can see first hand how our fish, marine mammal and marine birds are being destroyed by this practice.

Thankyou,

Searocks

P.S. it is a sparkling day here in Anguilla and looks like staying settled for a few more days hopefully.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Peter Barrett <noreply at list.signon.org>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 5:52 PM
Subject: Long-Line Fishing Petition To Remain In Circulation - Support Is Growing

Dear Friends. The Petition to ban long-line fishing in Bermuda is less than 2 weeks old. As I write this message, it has generated 2,344 signatories. The petition has had a significant impact already in the sense that the Bermuda Govt has reversed its decision to license foreign fishermen who are known to use long-line fishing techniques. This is a good first step. But our job is not done. The goal is to get legislation passed to ban long-line fishing. I will therefore be lobbying the government to do exactly that. Therefore I will be leaving the Petition in circulation. I ask therefore that you forward the Petition to all of your friends if you have not already done so. I thank you again for your support.http://signon.org/sign/ban-long-line-fishing?source=s.em.cr&r_by=3371510&mailing_id=2789

This message was sent to Joanie by Peter Barrett from the SignOn.org system. MoveOn.org Civic Action sponsors SignOn.org, but does not endorse specific campaigns or the contents of this message.

To unsubscribe or report this email as inappropriate, click here: http://www.signon.org/unsub.html?i=2789-3371510-eSC6NJ

- Small Fry and yellow birds

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:34:42 -0000

Another lovely day here in Anguilla, the wind and sea seem to be quietening down a bit, we have had a big ground sea the last couple of days and before that alot of wind, and I mean alot, ( on my balconey it even gave one of my guests a migraine). The temperature as I write is 78F and we have had about an inch of rain since the beginning of March, which has been very welcome. My Yellow birds have been exceedingly greedy of late and due to no local brown sugar on the island I have had to resort to giving them white which seems to have made them hyperactive, see pics.

Last week at Gwen's we had the more elderly dancers, if that is a diplomatic way of putting it, today it was the turn of the small fry, who were enchanting, again see pics, and lastly not only do I have small brown dog on my walks on the beach I now have small brown girl as well, they are enjoying each other, and I am enyoying them both.

A goodnight to all,

Searocks

P.S. There is one pic posted that gives a whole new meaning to the word 'Shoetree'.

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- This and that

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2012 23:25:34 -0000

It has been beautiful if very windy here today, the ocean awash with whitecaps and the trees taking a battering as it is a dry wind. We need rain, only got about three quarters of an inch (on the Searocks) in Feb which is not enough. Temperatures are perfect though, about 74/5F at night and 84F or so during the day.

Gwens this afternoon was wonderful, from the very old to the very young (see pics) everyone had a fantastic time, there was a couple from New York getting married on Proposal Point, small brown dog thought she could stand in for the bride but the groom didn't show, I think she was too early. The kitesurfers from St. Martin have been having a blast as well, they say when the wind is like this it's better than anywhere (wish I was about 30 years younger would love to try it), in my next life maybe. The Scratch Band made a wonderful sound and there was a lovely Aussie girl jamming with then playing the Didgeridoo, Maracas, and some sort of Aboriginal drum, again see pics.

Have a good night everyone.

Searocks

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- Windy Day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:45:30 -0000

Good Evening to Everyone,

It has been a nice but windy day here in Anguilla, plenty of whitecaps and the laundry whipping around the line and not drying properly. Present temperature is a pleasant 78F and last night we got .05 of an inch of rain on the Searocks, the first worth recording for the last 12 days, hope we get some more soon but the sat picture doesn't look hopeful. Tomorrow I have to take an elderly friend to St. Thomas for a medical procedure, as I haven' been back to STT since 1968 I wonder what walks down memory lane are in store for me, is Creques Alley still there? does Trader Dan's still exist? Time will tell.

Gwens was good today, lots of happy, if inebriated, people, and the band in good form. I attach a couple of pics of what was going on above the dance floor and what was happening below, also a picture taken by Sarah from Philly of a wet and rather bedraggled hummingbird trying to dry its feathers in a banana tree.

Have a good night all.

Searocks

P.S. Also one of Small Brown Dog relaxing with her rasta toy after a hard afternoon singing at Gwen's.

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- Pics

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:08:13 -0000

Here are a couple of pics from our dive yesterday, as promised, one of the nurse shark and one of a spotted filefish with a Drum in the background.

We have just had that shower I wanted to settle the dust, not enough for the cistern though, have a good Sunday all.

Searocks

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- Cathedral Rock Dive Dog Island

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:07:48 -0000

Just a few lovely things that have been happening here in Anguilla, besides the weather which has been gorgeous for the last few days, last Tuesday a big ground sea rolled in from the Atlantic but fortunately it subsided as quickly as it arose. The whales have been seen cavorting just beyond the reef, blowing and slapping their tails, even I got a glimpse of them from the balconey, and I thought I heard one singing in the distance this AM while we were diving at Cathedral Rock off West Cay by Dog Island, we had a wonderful dive there was so much to see that you didn't know which way to look, lovely school of Tarpon swimming and shimmering against the surface when one looked up, a special Octopus who pretended he was an umbrella and then turned bright green, Queen Angels, Drums, and a nice little Nurse Shark(4-5ft) that swam right up to us, then decided that neoprane was not delicious and turned and meandered away to sleep under a huge rock, there was lots of other things like Ocean Trigger fish, Cudas, eels, lobsters a stingray and of course too many Lionfish, Dougie got about eight to take home for dinner. Unfortunately the strobe on my camara didn't work but Steve (my co-correspondent on StormCarib for Anguilla) had his and promised to send me some pics which I will post when I get them.

The temperature is currently 79F but we've had no rain since Tuesday on the Searocks and could do with some to damp down the dust.

A big thankyou to www.Specialddiving.com and Dougie.

My best to all,

Searocks

- Ground Sea Again

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:33:45 -0000

It has been a sparkly day here in Anguilla, we had a short sharp shower about 9AM but since then it's been lovely. The sun has now gone down but the almost full moon is up (full day after tomorrow I think) but the sea is also up, big rollers coming in from the Atlantic, there must be a storm out there somewhere, the wind has swung around more to the east and is blowing the spray and foam off the waves back out to sea. The present temperature is 77F and according to the rain guage we got 4.68 inches of rain in January here on the Searocks. Quite alot of our regular February visitors have arrived back, and it's good to see them all again. I attach a few pics from this afternoon, I think I will collectively call them 'The Spirit of Gwens'.

Have a good night everyone.

Searocks

P.S. If you look very carefully in the group photo you will see the small brown dog sitting on her chair watching me.

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- A seesaw day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:39:51 -0000

Good Eveining Everyone from Anguilla, Yesterday was a lovely day, strong breeze, bit of rain in the morning then a lovely afternoon, Gwen's was not very crowded, about 50 people I would say, but the music was magic and everyone there had a wonderful time. I danced the afternoon away (exceedingly good for the blood pressure and the stress levels), had a lovely dance with Reggie, who comes from NYC, and when I met him this afternoon on the beach and told him the sad news that we had lost one of our Anguillan fishermen from Sandy Ground yesterday, three if them had gone out west of Dog Island on friday, the boat had turned turtle, they had clumg to it for 36 hours - it was rough and cold,( I was diving on Saturday in a 3 mil wetsuit and it took me a few hours to warm up), luckily they were spotted by one of St. Martin's Coastguard planes and my friend Dougie (www.specialddiving.com ) went out to bring them in, sadly only two of the three came back, Reggie said, 'well at least he lived in Anguilla.' This may seem hard hearted but how many people worldwide would like to live in Anguilla? We are exceedingly privileged, and though we bow our heads to those that live by the sea and whom the sea reclaims, we pay respect to the sea and those that pay the price of making their living from it.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

A goodnight to all,

Searocks

P.S. For the fans, Small Brown Dog is well and happy,(see pic).

P.P.S.Take a look at 'Gordon Ramsay tasting Shark Fine soup for the first time" on utube, and be really horrified (I apologise in advance for his language on this video).

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- Cool

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:54:32 -0000

It is decidedly cool here tonight in Anguilla, the dive computer says 75F in the house and last night we got 1.05 inches of rain, just as well as an exceedingly nice young man from St. Vincent pressure washed my whole house today which took a couple of inches out of the cistern, and tomorrow we paint, well, he paints and I move things around and feed him sandwiches and Tings. We were supposed to dive at Dog Island this morning but everyone else behaved very wimpishly and cancelled, I think because is was a grey morning and quite 'fresh' as they say in the north of England. Ah well, hopefully there will be another day. I had guests (well cousins actually) from Vermont staying last week and on Saturday Dougie took us out to Prickly Pear Island for lunch and a swim, it was a bit rough coming and going but absolutely gorgeous when we got there, see pics and only about half a dozen people there, good wahoo lunch as well. I hate to say this but I think I will get my quilt out tonight, small brown dog does so like to be underneath it!

A good and peaceful night to all,

Searocks

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- Grey Day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:02:58 -0000

Dark, windy, rainy but getting better, there are small bits of blue sky to the east. Temperature 73F and we had 1.55 inches of rain last night.

Not a diving day!

Searocks

- Today at Shoal Bay

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:25:30 -0000

It has been a beautiful day here in Anguilla, and Gwen's has been humming. I have an agreement with Gwen that she gives me about a third of the rum that she normally puts in her rum punches, but some kind person bought me one before I left and I think it was full strength so apologies for this report if it's slightly squiffy. First of all I would like to thank Andy from Villa Azure for kindly helping me carry my flying bird down the beach and to Dave from the Searocks for helping me put it in my boot, I have been eyeing this piece of driftwood that looks like a bird about to take flight for about a week at Proposal Point (where so many people seem to get engaged, it used to be called Dead Dog Corner on account we found a dead dog washed up there once, but in the last few years I have come across so many couples who were on the brink of engagement that it has been renamed Proposal Point). Smoothie was at Gwen's today(see his pic in a rare moment of repose) to chat up the girls and sing "Fire, Fire",(see Gwen's Reggae Grill, Smoothie singing Fire Fire on Utube) so many people ask me why 'Fire, Fire" did something burn down?, but it is basically the Anguilla National Anthem. All through the Caribbean during carnival the best and most played calypso has been called the 'Road March' because everyone jammed through the streets behind the bands dancing to it, and 'Fire Fire" was the Anguilla Road March during the revolution.

The mega boys have been in, see pic of Mr Abramovich's (Chelsea Football Club - not my club, I support Liverpool) yacht 'The Eclipse' easing off to St. Barts (it's the blob on the horizen that looks like the Royal Navy, the blob behind her is her support vessel with all the toys, helicopters subs etc.), she is the largest privately owned yacht in the world bar one, one of the Sheiks has one 4ft longer on account of the bowsprit - talk about one-up-manship!.

Lovely dive yesterday with Dougie who attached a new buoy to the wreck of the Ida Marie, the last one having mysteriously gone adrift for someone else's purpose,saw a sleeping nurse shark about my size, two spotted eagle rays swimming or should I say flying in sync and a huge Puffa as well as the usual angels, cudas, margates lobster and the like, and Dougie did in about 9 lionfish, so a good dive all round.

Until next time and a good night to all,

Searocks

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- A Sparkling Day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 23:08:03 -0000

Today has been one of those magic days in Anguilla, stiff breeze, turquoise ocean, golden sun and good company. Crayfish for lunch with an old lawyer friend from Washington (who coined the phrase about Nixon "would you buy a used car from this man") at a small new restaurant at Island Harbour called 'On Da Rocks' with a fantastic view of the harbour, see pic, and then watching the moon rise at Gwen's with the scratch band in full flow, see other pic. As The Barefoot Man Band from Caymen said 'it don't get better than this.'

I wish all a good night,

Searocks

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- White Rabbits

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 22:40:14 -0000

There is an old custom in the North of England that says the first thing you should say on the first of the month and especially the first of the year is "White Rabbits" it is supposed to be very lucky. Whether it works or not is another matter, but I wish everyone the best of 2012. It has been a lovely day here in Anguilla, a bit breezy but otherwise gorgeous. Present temperature is 78F and according to my rain gauge we have had 3.73 inches of rain here on the Searocks in December as opposed to 13.95 in November. Gwen's took a bit of time to get going today, probably because some people needed a bit of recovery time after last night, see pic.

My best to all,

Searocks

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- Happy Christmas

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 01:09:20 -0000

Good Christmas Eve Everyone,

I wish the best of Christmas to all, and I would especiallly like to thank Gert and Dave for Stormcarib, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of it ( I just hope I haven't bored everyone rigid -and don't email back and say yes!).May 2012 be a damage free hurricane year and peace and joy to everyone.

Happy Christmas from Anguilla and the the small brown dog and me.

Searocks

P.S. The ocean has calmed down and with a bit of luck we will dive on Monday, intermittant showers today, nothing really to speak of and the present temperature is 78F.

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- A wideawake and angry sea

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:49:31 -0000

Steve was spot on with his forcasts, see pics of the north side of Anguilla, however, as I think I probably said last year, it is a silver lining for some, the kite surfers were having a blast.

A goodnight to all,

Searocks

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- SIGNIFICANT WAVE EVENT

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:47:37 -0400

Only change in the forecasts since Monday is waves could now be in the 12 – 16 foot range by early Thursday, but will be coming more from the ENE than the NNE. Forecasted winds also are now a little stronger.

The tail of the cold front is passing east of us now, and sea conditions will deteriorate through Thursday. The NWS and others now call for seas in the 12’ – 14’. range with possibly 16‘ by early Thursday – but primarily from the ENE (good for north coast) and driven by strong ENE winds in the range of 25-28 mph with gusts in the low 30’s, causing blowing sand and surf on the north facing beaches. Sea conditions will very slowly calm through the weekend. We should expect mostly cloudy conditions with a few showers through Thursday. A small craft advisory is already in effect for the area through Sat. due to the rough seas.

Persons should stay out of the water for the next several days on the north coast due to rapidly deteriorating sea conditions today and early tomorrow. Beaches on the north will experience some erosion, but should not be too bad because seas will now be more from the ENE – but could mean rougher conditions on the south facing beaches.

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year or whatever to all!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- SIGNIFICANT WAVE EVENT THURSDAY

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:17:31 -0400

A cold front currently passing through the Bahamas will pass north of us on Wed. bringing gale conditions to the mid-Atlantic and rough seas/wind here in Anguilla starting Wed. and peaking on Thursday. By Wed. morning expect moderate to rough seas in the 10 – 12 ft. range, and by Thursday morning, we should expect 12 – 15 ft. NE seas on the north coast with NE winds in the high 20 mph range, gusts in the mid-30’s. We can also expect frequent showers. Also of concern is the wave period (frequency) of 7-8 seconds – normal swells are in the range of 12-14 seconds. A small craft warning is expected by Tuesday. The combination of NE waves breaking rapidly on the shore combined with strong, gusty winds will create dangerous surf conditions on the north shore with blowing sand and surf. Bathers should stay out of the water. Conditions will slowly improve only slightly through the weekend, and we will continue to have rough seas until Monday.

More later if any changes.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- SIGNIFICANT WAVE EVENT FOR ANGUILLA

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:16:00 -0400

The north shore of Anguilla will experience some large swells over the next 5-6 days, with the largest swells mid-week. A gale currently in the mid Atlantic will be replaced mid-week by a cold front currently moving off the Texas coast. Unfortunately, we will experience the “double whammy” - NE sea swells accompanied by some strong, gusty ENE winds. For Saturday/Sunday, expect NE waves in the range of 10 feet with moderate ENE winds in the high teens. Seas and winds will subside somewhat early in the week, but by Wednesday build to about 11 - 14 feet from the NE with strong, gusty ENE winds in the in the range of 25 – 28 MPH. A small craft advisory is already in effect for the weekend, but by mid week, expect another small craft advisory, beach erosion and blowing sea spray on the north shore, with rough seas for the entire surrounding area. Bathers at the north facing beaches should use caution mid week until seas slowly subside later in the week.

Additional report early next week if any significant change.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- wild wind and rain

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:15:19 -0000

Ditto here in Anguilla to what St. Martin said, I have rolled down all my hurricane shutters to stop the rain coming inside the house and the cistern is running over again! Have run the taps in the basins and it seems to be under control. From the sat pics, with a bit of luck, it should have moved on a bit tomorrow, but sometimes these blobs just sit and sit and sit!

I just feel so sorry for all the visitors who have come down for a few days of rum and sun, it feels more like a hot whisky toddy to me. Will report tomorrow what the rain gauge says, even small brown dog is curled up trying to stay warm and dry.

A good night to all

searocks

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- Cloudy

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 23:27:15 -0000

I don't think the fat lady has sung yet, we have had a couple of wet cloudy days, another inch of rain and the mosi's are out in force, but it is snowing heavily in the northwest of England right now so I am definitely not complaining, I think, also, it is going to continue for another day or two according to the sat pics. It didn't stop Gwen's this afternoon, though a few people had to have a bit of encouragement to get up and dance, they all had their sitting pants on to begin with. Beautiful rainbow last night (not quite as good as St. Martin's double one) and we had a couple of lovely dives with Dougie on Friday. I attach a couple of pics, I am sorry the colour is not very good, the vis was bad and I was using a digital camara for the first time, I think I will go back to my old 35mil Sea and Sea. I do like the one of the hangman's rope, very Pirates of the Caribbean! The fish is one of the dreaded lionfish that I talked about before, and as for the little turtle nestling in Dougie's hand, that was lovely. Present temperature is 77F and there is hardly any breeze. I wish everyone a good night.

Searocks

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- too much water

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:05:10 -0000

Good Evening Everyone,

A few pics of what the rain did to parts of Anguilla over the last couple of days, we got another inch last night but I had plugged up my downspouts to the cistern on the roof so thankfully everything stayed dry, though I see this afternoon my overflow is still running. The first pic I can only describe as stair-rods, the second is the new road (with new drainage) by the football field on the way into town, the third is the road from Island Harbour to East End, and the last is some well watered baby coconut trees. I hope the unnamed blob is moving away, what breeze we have seems to be coming from the north, I find it amazing that Steve only got two and a half inches down the West End of the island, there is no accounting for Mother Nature's whims.

Have a good night all.

Searocks

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- RAIN - WHAT RAIN?

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:01:52 -0400

The pictures/reports on the rain yesterday in the East End are unreal – report of 11.57 in. in Seafeathers – but it was a “non-event” here in the West End. We only received 2.25 in. all day, and I saw no flooding yesterday until we reached the Valley. Many reports of pools/cisterns overflowing, but my pool is still 2-3 in. below the lip. Looks like a lot of damage/wet cars out that way.

And looks like more rain today – here’s what Crown Weather Service has to say about today:

“Rough weather conditions are quite possible in the Leeward Islands Monday into Tuesday as low pressure develops right over the northeastern Caribbean. The worst conditions appear to be from Barbuda and Montserrat northward to Saint Martin and Anguilla. 24 Hour period of very heavy rainfall with amounts approaching 10 inches from noon Monday to noon Tuesday.”

Here’s my graph of rainfall between 8 AM – 8 PM, with accumulations recorded every 10 minutes. Also had a report that Anguillian Divers boat sank in Cove Bay last night. Sad.

Stay dry!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

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- Rain, wet, rain, wet etc.,

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:14:52 -0000

It has been raining very heavily since about 11.30, I reckon about 8 or 9 inches, the pool is overflowing and has become an infinity pool, the overflow is overflowing and I am doing something I have never done before in Anguilla which is running all the showers and taps to ease the cistern, we have been sweeping water out of the garage and downstairs apartment and it is still raining. But, the good news is I don't mind because our racehorse Shoal Bay Dreamer (owned by a syndicate of ladies) was running in the 3.30 race at Carlisle UK and was second beaten only three quarters of a length.

More later,

Searocks

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- Good Weekend

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:53:23 -0000

Saturday was lovely, we had two great dives, one on the wreck of the Oosterdiep and Deep South reef and the other a drift dive at Anguillita, saw pretty much everything, little shark, morays, rays, cudas, various fish and turtles galore. The little dinner plate sized turtle, Caterina, I reported on last year is still there and even tamer. Apparently the fishermen have been line fishing for snapper at the wreck and have been feeding her squid so now she comes right up to the boat before we even get in the water. We found at least half a dozen lion fish of which Dougie shot five (for those of you that don't know they are an invasive species in the Caribbean and there is nothing that eats them). We also saw the most beautiful small schoool of Tarpon, about 10 of them the biggest being nearly as big as me, they are the most spectacular fish.

Gwens varied yesterday between being a dancing Reggae Bar while the sun was shining to an indoor drinks party when the heavens opened, the atmostphere as always was relaxed and happy.

We have had .35 of an inch of rain in the last 24 hours, perfect for us but I feel for the poor people in T&T who have been inundated yet again, floods are such filthy things. The temperature as I write in the house is 78F, quite acceptable, with a light breeze blowing.

Have a good week everyone,

Searocks

- depression lurking

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:40:12 -0000

I am not sure I like what is lurking out to our east, hopefully if it developes into anything it will be too far north for Anguilla and the surrounding islands, but maybe Bermuda better look out again and I am not convinced John Burnie's Atlantic race will have such a smooth crossing, ( you do put up some amazing pictures John). Lets hope everyone stays safe.

A goodnight to all,

Searocks

- Champagne Day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:21:08 -0000

I has been a sparkling day here in Anguilla, lovely sun, blue sea, a few white caps and a good breeze, about 84F, one of the Star Clippers ghosted by this morning and the island is alive with wedding parties I am told there were 22 weddings here on 11/11/11, I guess that date means different things to different people. Gwens was in good form and I attach a pic of the small brown dog enjoying the music and the guests. Bermuda from my reports seems to have come through Sean unscathed, thank goodness, and with a bit of luck we will get to the end of the hurricane season in one piece.but as someone said no relaxing 'til the fat lady sings!

I wish all a goodnight,

Searocks

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- 11/11/11

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:57:45 -0000

Rememberance/Veterans Day

Just thought I would quote the Exhortation at the 11th hour.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

It is a lovely day here in Anguilla at the moment and we had .60 of an inch of rain last night.

My best to all,

Searocks

- No visability

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 20:31:45 -0000

I notice on the stormcarib home page there is an ad for exotic excursions to St. Martin! Well I have just had one, took it into my head to go over to the dive shop there today to fix my regulator and dive computer, it was fine going over about 12.30, but coming back at 14.30 the rain and fog was such that you couldn't see more than about 30ft in front of the boat, I have to say that our skipper (Link ferry to SXM airport) did an amazing job, you couldn't even see Anguilla until we got into the harbour at Blowing point, the roads are awash,car lights on, and I hope drivers are testing their breaks after going through all the rivers flowing down the roads. I have just checked the rain gauge and we have had .40 of an inch since lunch time and I am sure they have had more on the south side of the island, now there is high grey cloud and no breeze.

Stay cool all,

Searocks

P.S. The ad says you can have mudbaths in St. Martin, quite apt I would say.

- Proper Rain

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 19:41:43 -0000

Just a quick note to say the thunderstorms must have read my last post, as it poured last night, we had an inch and a half according to the rain gauge and the cistern was flowing over this AM. Still hot and humid and very little, if any breeze.

A big surf rolling in on the north shore, surfers would be happy bunnies at the moment.

Have a good rest of the day,

Serocks

- Hot Hot

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 23:29:24 -0000

Flat calm, no breeze, humid and steamy. Thunderstorms rumbling and growling around but mostly out to sea, not overhead topping up the pool. I was supposed to dive with Dougie at Dog Island this AM but got stung yesterday by a couple of Jack Spaniels (rather virulent Caribbean wasps) so have a swollen, red and rather sore hand. However it didn't stop me having a dance or three at Gwens this afternoon, which seemed to be having a good day and there were rainbows aplenty. There seems to be a large circling of weather up over Bermuda, and apparently according to my friends there they had a bit of a freak storm last night. According to the sat pictures it seems to be sucking everything up from the south west which would account for our unusual humidity. I attach a rainbow and one of small brown dog's son standing among the debris in Bermuda.

Have a good evening everyone.

Searocks

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- Depression

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 19:38:18 -0000

This small depressionette that has or is passing, slowly to the west of us has made for sticky conditions. Yesterday was overcast with some decent sized rollers coming in from the Atlantic though not much breeze and last night we got a few hours of sheet lightening almost continually from the west, it was most extraordinary as it just lit up the sky and the ocean in this flat pale blue light, occaisionally one could hear very distant rumbles of thunder, but very faint, then we got only .31 of an inch of rain not nearly as much as some of the other islands got. It is still sticky, hazy and dull today, flat calm ocean but with slow heavy waves breaking on the reefs.

Lets hope it perks up tomorrow.

Stay cool,

Searocks

- magic day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:21:52 -0000

A Good Evening to everyone,

It has been a magic day, about 84F, cool breeze, hot sun, and to make things better according to my state of the art rain gauge we had .79 of an inch of the wet stuff last night, just perfect for the plants and cistern, and for those of you that are Gwen's fans it was a good afternoon, good ribs good rum (in small amounts or I wouldn't be able to post) and the band in fine voice and music, I counted about 25 guests which is good for October. No diving as there has been a bit of a ground sea but hopefully this week sometime.

I hope those of you up the north eastern seaboard and New England, or indeed elsewhere, are not too inundated with the snow.

My best to all,

Searocks

- Back Again

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:34:17 +0100

A lovely evening to everyone,

After leaving a cold muddy wet English Lake District, a decidedly chilly Paris and a warm and sticky St. Martin, 89F when we landed, Air France and The Link Ferry delivered myself and the small brown dog safely to Anguilla where the weather is perfect, the island is green, the ocean all different shades of blue with small whitecaps and a lovely breeze from the east. We flew over fairly heavy cloud cover above the Azores but as we reached The West Indies to use an old fashioned term, small white clouds, a bit hazy, Saba only just visible as we came in to land, the sea pretty laid back though I did notice quite a few long strands of Sargassum and Shoal Bay still has about 6 inches lying high up on the beach, though I am told Junks Hole had six feet at its worst. It is so very nice to be back, and I might get a dive in this weekend so will report on below decks if that transpires. The Island is very quiet and apparently there are 700 households on Anguilla with no electricity because the bills are so high people can't afford to pay them. I just hope things pick up, so please everybody come down this winter to the Caribbean and help keep the economy going, there are some great deals to be had. I know things are tough everywhere, certainly in the UK, and my children, who live in America, say life is much more difficult there financially than it was a year or two ago.

Rina seems to be faffing around, like most of the storms this year, not being able to make her mind up, and there doesn't seem to be much untoward (at the moment) coming across the Atlantic. The sea though, when small brown dog and I took our dip, was still pretty warm so I don't think guards should be let down yet.

My best to all,

Searocks

www.escapetoanguilla.com

- Draconids

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 13:32:25 +0100

There is supposed to me a meteor shower, possibly a meteor storm this evening due to the earth ploughing into three or more streams of dust left by the comet Giacobini-Zinner which swings through the inner solar system every 6.6 years. The moon is quite bright at the moment so look to the north away from the moon, they should appear to stream out of the northern constellation Draco. Thought the stargazers among you might be interested, I think you will see them better than I can, probably only cloud and rain here.

My best to everyone,

Little Bay Barn

- THANKS FOR NOTHING, OPHELIA!

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:29:17 -0400

What’s left of Ophelia has sucked every bit of breeze, rain and cool weather right out of here. Wind has been between 0 and 2 or 3 all morning – an occasional gust to maybe 5 or 6 (whoop-whoop!) Sea is mirror flat – and it’s already hot. Maybe a little relief mid-week. Is it November yet?.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Temporary quiet time

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:21:06 +0100

Seeing that things are quiet for a moment or two in the Caribbean, and having seen the pics from St. Kitts, I just thought I would post a couple of pics taken in 1962 on Brimstone Hill, me and a possible boyfriend, Statia in the distance and also one of Friars Bay and one of Jackk Wigley looking over Frigate Bay, he owned Ottleys Plantation, now a hotel I believe, he also taught me to play tennis, and we once went to ST.Croix in 1964 and played for the British Islands against the U.S. Islands, sorry to the Americans reading this, but we won.

I apologise that this report is nothing to do with Hurricanes, but history buffs and Kittitians might be interested. How it must have changed in nearly half a century.

A goodnight to all,

Little Bay Barn

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- REST EASY RE: OPHELIA (FOR NOW!)

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:14:01 -0400

The 5:00 PM forecast seemed to show Ophelia intensifying ( 60 mph winds) but only because a Hurricane Hunter flew into the storm and was able to get the first accurate readings. But forecast still calls for weakening, and no forecast models show any closer approach to our north than about 100 miles. There is almost no tropical force winds to the south of the storm. Ophelia passed about 25 miles north of buoy #41040 east of Martinique earlier today which reported a high wind of 30 mph, gust of 38 mph and peak wave height of 17 feet – not too impressive but again, the higher winds/waves are to the north of center. She is forecast to pass about 130 miles north of us early Sunday afternoon with peak winds of 45 mph so right now appears we will not have any extreme weather with its passing – if it makes it this far.

But as always, continue to track the NHC forecast – especially if it starts to move any further south.

Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- OPHELIA MOVING NORTH

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:46:46 -0400

This morning it appears that the forecast track of Ophelia will take it well north (200 + miles) of Anguilla, and forecast also calls for the storm to weaken. But as with Maria, we need to watch the track for another day or so. Ophelia passed about 50 miles south of ocean buoy #41041 several hours ago with winds of 60 mph, gust to 78 mph – and with sea swells of 17 ft., wave heights of 26 feet. Tomorrow morning, she will pass 50 or so miles north of buoy #41043 which should tell us what – if any – weather/waves we could expect when it passes north of us (as most of the wind/wave/rain action is north of center – little activity south of center). Right now, I think all we should expect is some moderately rough seas from the ENE

Unless something changes for the worse with the forecast, no further updates.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- TS OPHELIA

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:44:48 -0400

The NHC is actually tracking 2 systems this morning, but the low just to our east is of no concern – maybe some showers today, but right now, sunny and calm. Ophelia was named overnight, but is not expected to do much as far as strengthening before reaching us (actually forecast calls for some weakening) – and much like Maria, the forecasted winds of 40 mph or so will be to the north of center along with thunderstorms. Like with any storm 1,400 miles away, the forecast tracks are all over the place – in fact a spread of almost 800 miles north to south. Right now look for moderate to fresh winds on Sunday with some large seas from the east. Depending if the storm passes north or south – and how far – keep an eye out for thunderstorms. Continue to monitor at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

2011 RAINFALL: For those of you local who are getting tired of cutting back all the lush growth from the rain, this year has been one for the record books. My records go back almost 15 years, and we have set a rainfall record in 3 of the last 4 months (missed the Aug. record by 0.7 in) – and September isn’t over yet! In the 4 months June – September, we’ve had 25.44 in. of rain – more than the entire year in 2009! The average yearly rainfall is 37 in. – this year we’re already at 37 in. - with more than 3 months left to go. Doubt we’ll beat the record of 66 in. in 1999 (hurricane Lenny), but we could be close!

Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Katia

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:26:41 +0100

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I hope things have quietened down abit after the prevaricating of Maria and that she sidesteps Bermuda and the East Coast of America on her way here. Talking of here, we are as I write being bombarded by Katia's tailwind, gusts recorded very close to here of 70MPH plus, torrential rain yesterday but mostly just stormforce gales all day today, I have already lost one ash tree, perilously close to my barn and others have been what local farmers call severely pruned, I attach a couple of pics.

On another note some boring persons broke into my house in Anguilla on last Friday night, under cover of Maria I suppose, I think they wanted TVs/DVDs/laptops etc., none of which I have there when I am not on the Island and all they took were the marbles from my wooden solitaire game I have on the coffee table, so I have officially lost my marbles, which hopefully will excuse any eccentricities I may report in the future.

It has not been a good week. I wish us all a better one next week.

Little Bay Barn

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- Maria's Passing

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:37:29 -0400

As usual, the day after a storm passes to our north, we catch the "tail". This has been no exception. Lots of wind today and intermittent rain all day long. The south beaches caught a lot of wave action as you can see by the attached photos taken at Rendezvous Bay.

I'm looking for sunshine tomorrow

Stay safe,

Jed

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- CRAZY WEATHER

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 09:28:27 -0400

Some gusty winds last night as Maria passed to our east (30 mph NE gusts but only 0.03 in. rain), the sky cleared, winds died and beautiful night. Woke up this morning to more gusty winds (only 0.05 in rain) coming from the south. It appears the worst of the rain is passing/has passed to our east – dark out that way, clearer to the west. Never did hear any thunder. Seems to be dying off now.

Blue – hi wind Pink - Direction

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Maria

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:19:27 -0400

We are getting some gusty breezes still, but all in all, Maria was no big event. At this time, one can see lightning to our north, but it appears to be clearing somewhat here. There is always the possibility of catching some rain from Maria's tail-spin as she moves to the west, but for now, we are dry.

I plan to survey a few of the beaches later this morning and will let you know if there is anything significant to report.

- MARIA HAS FALLEN APART

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:54:36 -0400

All warnings/watches have been discontinued and seems most of the bad weather will be north of us. Still going to get some rainy, windy weather, but nothing all that unusual.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- MARIA FALLING/HAS FALLEN APART?

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 08:48:50 -0400

After forecasts of 65 mph winds and 20 foot seas yesterday, Maria has not only failed to strengthen but is slowly getting very disorganized. Maria was 45 miles east of Antigua at 8:00 AM this morning but they report sunny skies and light (15-20 mph) winds. The NHC is still reporting 12 foot seas out to the NW for 180 miles, but not here. Most of the rain/thunderstorms appears to be all on the eastern edge of the storm with very little activity to the NW quadrant. The 5:00 AM advisory was still calling for 50 mph winds, but I think that will change soon.

Right now, it’s mostly sunny here with 15 – 20 mph winds and a few light showers overnight. For later today, I’d look for 40 mph winds, maybe 50 mph gusts for late today when the track passes close to or over AXA. I think the rain is going to hold off until this afternoon and probably not as heavy as previously thought. Seas will still be very rough later today (Blowing Point Ferry Terminal is closed until further notice), but I think less than 15 feet. We may also see the Tropical Storm Warning dropped by Antigua later. Continental – Newark is on its way to SXM and other arrivals are still scheduled so guess business as usual at PJIA today.

However, we will still have some nasty weather ahead of us late today and tomorrow and we all need to monitor local conditions. Right now, I’m going to fish some deck furniture out of the pool where I placed it for safekeeping so I can enjoy my coffee! Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Update

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 19:59:46 -0400

No real change with the 8:00 PM update except Maria has continued to slow a little – now down to 15 mph. Just means the seas and rain will “dump” on us that much longer. We have a beautiful “almost” full moon (95%) out right now with clear skies. Actually , a really nice night – but I can hear the surf building.

More in the morning.

Not a lot of change from the 2:00 PM update except that Maria has now slowed to 16 mph. Should pass within 40 miles or so to our south, but the models are still all over the place plus the recent track has been more to the NW. So prepare for the worst. Should pass us late Sat. afternoon, but we’ll start to feel tropical force winds a Sat. morning well into the night. Forecast calls for 60 mph winds as it passes us, with gusts to 70 mph, but with some strengthening as it passes. These winds extend out 40 – 50 miles to the NE and NW of center, so right now we are within that cone. Twelve foot seas extend out about 200 miles to the NW and NE, so we’ll start to feel them early Sat. and they will be with us for quite some time. Still looks like 15 feet plus seas from the SE.

Locally, we and SXM are now under a flood watch as well as TS Watch. All boats at Cove Bay and most at Sandy Ground have now been hauled out (see below). There are no planes left at the airport – empty – but don’t know if it’s closed yet. I would expect no one will be coming or going until late Sunday, but maybe Monday. Still wait and see on the shutters, but not much flying around in these winds. Deck and yard cleared off though.

Stay safe.

CoveBay (Medium).jpg SandyGround (Medium).jpg

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- MARIA SLOWING DOWN

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 17:22:51 -0400

Stay safe.

CoveBay (Medium).jpg SandyGround (Medium).jpg

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- 11:00 AM - SOME STRENGTHENING

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 11:34:17 -0400

As of 11:00 AM, Maria now has 45 mph winds – gusts to 57 mph. The forward motion has also slowed to 17 mph. None of this is good for us. Based on this forecast, we will have 52 mph winds sustained with gusts to 63 mph by late tomorrow. Tropical force winds will extend out 100 miles to the NW, 150 miles to the NE. 12 foot seas currently extend out about 200 miles north of center. Again, south facing beaches will feel it the worst.

More later.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- MARIA - PROBLEMS

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 08:43:20 -0400

Maria this morning continues to challenge the forecasters. Models show it passing us anywhere from just a little north to almost 200 miles south, and anywhere from a depression to a strong tropical storm. No matter – things look much bleaker than yesterday when it was forecast to pass over 100 miles south as a wave!

Winds are holding at tropical storm strength (40 mph, higher gusts) and wave heights are building (a weather buoy located about 75 miles north of Maria yesterday when she passed to the south measured wave heights of a little over 20 feet). She is forecasted to pass about 50 miles south of AXA Sat. afternoon w/winds of about 40 mph w/higher gusts. The wind field has grown quite large, so expect strong, gusty winds by early Sat. morning from the NE, turning to the E and SE in the afternoon, increasing to around 40 mph or more, and finally S by late day but still strong. Waves will be from the E then ESE with 15 ft.+ waves by later in the day – possibly larger - resulting in dangerous surf and beach erosion. (The West End should be somewhat protected by SXM, but the East End will get the brunt!) Satellite image show lots of rain to the north of Maria, so flash flooding is possible, with outer bands reaching us Sat. morning. (Antigua currently reports outer bands reaching them with winds about 20 knots.) All of the surrounding islands are now under a tropical storm watch. It appears Disaster Management has manned the EOC in Anguilla and all are urged to monitor forecast with this quickly changing storm.

Should be another hurricane hunter sent out today so there should be better info to report tonight. Time to prepare for some nasty weather. Cheers,

Forecasted wind field:

Current satellite with track (AXA located at “C”):

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Maria

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 07:35:48 -0400

Yesterday Maria's track took her 100+ miles south of us. This morning's track moved her to 55 miles south of Anguilla.

The good thing is the intensity is still expected to be low, but since she appears to be passing to our south, the bad part is the amount of rain fall we may get. As you can see on the 6:15 AM view, the worst of the storm is to the north. It looks like it will be a soggy day tomorrow; in other words, house cleaning :)

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- TS MARIA - DODGED THE BULLET?

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 11:02:20 -0400

Ooooppps – a DRAMATIC change in the 11:00 AM NHC forecast for Maria – now passing well to our south by over 100 miles. May get some gusty winds and a bit of rain, but not much else. Seas probably above normal, but nothing serious. Surface readings indicate may be only a wave. We’ll know for sure IF they send out a hurricane hunter.

No further updates unless things change for the worse. Have a good weekend! Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- TS MARIA

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 09:13:41 -0400

Some good – some bad this morning. After a very rainy night (1.38 in. since dusk – not associated with Maria), TS Maria is having a hard time staying together. The Hurricane Hunter flight scheduled for this afternoon may find it is just a tropical wave/depression. But she is still forecasted to pass just to our south (not good – strongest winds to the north) with winds of about 50 mph w/some higher gusts. I think WindGuru is being a bit aggressive in forecasting 21 ft. seas – other indications are for 12 – 15 ft. seas from the E and ESE. Also, satellite shows thunderstorm activity has lessened in the area of the storm.

Right now, look for tropical force winds to start affecting us around daybreak on Sat., (winds from the N slowly clocking to the E) with the storm passing just to our south Sat. afternoon. The worst of the storm will be late Sat. afternoon/evening (remember – 50 mph winds PLUS 23 mph forward speed) with winds from the south most of the afternoon. Dangerous seas from the ESE will also start early Sat. with very heavy, eroding surf on the south shore Sat. mid-day through early Sunday. Rain should hold off pretty much until the storm has arrived, but continue quite heavy through Sat. night – with some flash flooding possible. Hurricane shutters? Me – probably not but make that call last minute Fri. night. But lawn/deck furniture will be secured, and will make sure generator has plenty of gas.

Finally, Antigua/Barbuda Met Office has REMOVED us from the Tropical Storm Watch list (we are NORTH of the storm by about 10 miles) while Antigua (10 miles south of the storm) and St. Kitts/Nevis (30 miles south of center) remain under a watch. Go figure! St. Martin MAY issue a watch today.

If Hurricane Hunter finds worsening conditions, another report tonight, else update in the morning. Cheers – stay dry.

cid:image001.png<strong><u><tt> at </tt></u></strong>01CC6E02.0CEE8550

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- TD #14 = Tropical Storm Maria (?)

By "Steve Donahue" <steve at anguilla-weather.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 08:25:38 -0400

Fast moving TD #14 continues to head towards AXA at a forward speed of 20 mph. Winds speeds are around 40 mph with some strengthening to about 60 mph (with higher gusts) by the time it reaches us Sat. afternoon. There is heavy convection and rain to the north of the storm center.

Several models are showing the storm moving further north of AXA, and with the strongest winds/rain to the north, this will be good for us. While the current forecast calls for the storm to arrive late Sat. afternoon, with a forecasted increase in forward speed, I would expect earlier Sat. afternoon. On the present track, we will start feeling tropical force winds (extend out 80 mi. to the NE) mid-Sat. morning. Seas are forecast to be in the 12 – 15 ft. range from the SE so southern facing beaches should expect beach erosion. The further north the storm, the better for us – but with a large fluctuation with the models, we’ll need to wait and see. I would expect at least heavy rain and gusty winds all day Sat. into Sunday. Probably a hurricane hunter will investigate tomorrow or Fri morning. I would suggest any preparations/boat hauling be completed by Fri. night because of the forecasted increase in speed.

Another update Thursday morning. Cheers,

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Tropical Depression #14

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2011 19:19:38 -0400

After looking at the 5:00 PM advisory, it appears we need to make sure the storm kit is up to date and that plenty of water on hand! The National Hurricane Center in Miami has the storm at 17.0 N, 62.0 W at 5:00 PM Saturday (We are approximately 18.2N, 63.1W) with 70 MPH maximum winds. That's too close for comfort! Unlike Katia that went well to the north of us, #14 is predicted to stay to the south of us.

Hopefully this forecast changes for the better as time goes on, but for now believe it and prepare for the prediction!

Go north #14, go north.

- Remnants of Irene

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 2011 16:57:09 +0100

I do hope that Katia stays to the north of the Leewards, though Turks and Caicos and Bahamas don't need anything more at this moment but the tracks seem to be skirting them, and that possible Lee doesn't dump too much water on the Gulf states. I just thought I would quote from the Weather Eye of The Times yesterday.

"Unfortunately, it looks as though September is getting off to a gloomy start. The North West (us) is turning wet and windy tomorrow, with rain spreading across much of the UK over the weekend. This particular bout of dismal weather is interesting because it contains the ghostly remains of what was originally Hurricane Irene. This storm swerved up the East Coast of North America and caused immense flood damage from North Carolina to Quebec, before finally dying out in Canada. But the storm's immense cargo of warm, humid tropical air became wrapped up in a passing depression sweeping over the Atlantic, so that some of the rain fallling this weekend originally came from the warm seas of the Caribbean."

I suppose the above should be consolation as I get soaked in the next few days, but somehow it isn't.

My best to everyone and take care.

Little Bay Barn

- Sargasso

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:48:03 +0100

Just a quickie to wish everyone in Irene's path good fortune, and to mention to SXM and AXA that my contacts in Bermuda say Sargasso weed is the best fertilizer for Banana trees, probably good fertilizer for most things.

All the best and a good night.

Little Bay Barn

- M O R E...RAIN

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:38:12 -0400

Thunder/lightening off/on ALL_NIGHT_LONG. Had thunder around 10:00 last night that shook the entire house. So Irene is supposed to be outta here, but 0.95 in rain yesterday and 0.38 in since midnight. After breaking 15 year records for rainfall in July (7.68 in.), August is second highest with 6.21 in. – just behind the 6.69 in. back in Aug., 2008. Meanwhile, our beaches continue to be covered by Sargasso weed – gotten worse since Irene’s passing. (See Cove Bay beach below)

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Rain, rain, rain

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:23:00 -0400

Wow, did I ever speak too soon about being able to see my shadow yesterday! It started raining again last night and hasn't let up since! Irene is a huge system and is still sucking up moisture from the south and dumping it on us in buckets!

I am anxious to hear what Steve says about the rainfall accumulation over the past few days.

- Things are improving (for us)

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:39:59 -0400

As Irene tracks west northwestward, conditions here continue to improve. I could see my shadow starting around 1:30 this afternoon!

Our hopes and prayers are for those who remain in the Turks and Caicos plus most all of the Bahamas. The 2:00 advisory warns of an extremely dangerous storm surge of 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels!

- Don't put the shutters away yet

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:27:45 +0100

Keep your hurrican shutters handy everyone, I agree with Dave I don' t like what I see rolling off the coast of Senegal and Guinea, I wish well to anyone in the path of Irene, including my son and family on Kiawah Island South Carolina which according to some forecasts is right in the path of Irene.

Be careful and take precautions.

All the best and a goodnight

Little Bay Barn

- Good Night Irene

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 05:34:05 -0400

The main event is over for us now and are left with a stiff tail wind. There was quite a bit of lightning far to our west around 4 AM, but that appears to be going away as well.

My wife is scheduled to fly back here on Friday...JAX-MIA-SXM and then one of the "fast boats" over. Looking at the current projected track, all I have to say is I'm glad she bought the "Trip Insurance"!

Wishing safety to those to our East!

- IRENE

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:22:20 -0400

We are (hopefully) on the tail end of the storm right now and experiencing heavy rain (rate between 0.75 and 1.5 in/hour) and gusty winds around 20 – 25 mph with a few gusts in the low-30’s – not much to speak of. Had 1.7in. of rain since midnight. Sky looks like it’s getting lighter to the east, so hopefully, this will be it. Stay dry!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Irene visiting Searocks

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:19:34 +0100

I have just had an email from the guests staying in my house on the Searocks, and I quote;

"Irene has definitely hit the island, beginning with heavy winds around 4AM, it subsided for serveral hours and started up again in earnest about 9AM. Currently heavy winds gusting to 45MPH and increasing fog (FOG?) limiting visibility to less than a quarter of a mile. Rain is steady, no let up in sight,"

I do hope they are having a lovely time!! They are off to Cuisinart to watch the Cincinati tennis final and have cocktails.

Best to everbody, stay warm and dry if you can.

Little Bay Barn

- Irene

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:11:06 -0400

So far today it's been breezy with a nice steady rain. The power is still on and all seems to be well. According to the Closest Point tool on this site, Irene should be closest to here around 3:30 this afternoon. The eye of the storm will be passing south of us, but the main convection appears to be to the north.

If everything remains "as is", all should be well and the cisterns should be replenished!

- IRENE

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:11:43 -0400

So far Irene is a non-event for us – right now, broken clouds, light breeze. Had about 0.9 in. of rain overnight, but very little thunder/lightening – just off in the distance. Had a gust of 33 mph in one of the squalls, but other than that, just a light breeze. I suspect some heavy rain squalls to be coming through the rest of the day, but that should be about it. Flights to SXM should be OK except those coming through Puerto Rico – could be a problem later today.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- 97L

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:44:39 -0400

The early tracks on 97L don't look good for the Northeast Caribbean. I'm just hoping the dry air mass to the north keeps everything to a minimum and simply fills our cisterns when it passes by!

I'll be checking my stockpile of water and canned tuna and hope all goes well!

- Hurricane graveyard

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:07:12 +0100

Evening Everyone,

Just to report that as far as I can tell everything is OK in Anguilla, and I just wish people would stop talking about these storms going off into the hurricane graveyard of the north east Atlantic, what they don't realise is that the hurricane graveyard of the north east Atlantic is the English Lake District as our mountains are the first to be hit and it hasn't really stopped raining and blowing here for the last month or so!

Be prepared as the conveyor belt seems quite full from the Azores.

A goodnight to all,

Little Bay Barn

- Emily

By Jed Lindblad <jedsshed at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 10:57:07 -0400

Now, during Emily's departure from our area, we are heavily overcast with a light to moderate rainfall since early this morning as compared to yesterday's approach of gusty winds and very little rain. I'm sure that by this afternoon we'll be seeing sunshine again!

I hope for all the best, and especially safety, to those to our east.

- WIND SPEED

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2011 14:23:28 -0400

We just had a squall come through here dropping like 0.3 in. of rain in a few minutes, steady wind of 35 mph – and a gust of 51 mph! Deck furniture blown all over the place.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- WEATHER

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2011 09:45:17 -0400

Received a few squalls over night with about 0.3 in. of rain and a few gusts up to 32 mph. Sunny and breezy (steady 18 mph, gusts hi 20’s) this AM but expect more showers today and tomorrow, with today’s boat race probably also cancelled. Had several boats from SXM that ran into trouble retuning after the festivities yesterday (see http://tinyurl.com/sxm-boat-rescue ). One would think that it might not be a good idea to wait until late at night to return after drinking and partying all day long – one would think!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- BEAUTIFUL DAY

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 18:49:21 -0400

Today has been sunny and breezy all day, with a beautiful sunset. Sad, but too windy for the August Monday boat races, but still lots of people at Sandy Ground (see attached picture). Looks to me like we’re not even going to get any rain from whatever-that-is to our south. Getting ready to cross the islands now, but don’t expect much here because of the dry air/Sahara dust around and the wind shear to the north of the system.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

Attachment: Capture.JPG
Description: JPEG image

- WIND, RAIN

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:00:43 -0400

Winds howling, rain pouring down, thunder in the distance! Not a great day. So far, 0.4 in. rain. With 6.39 in. so far this month, the wettest July in 20 years! Our dry, arid island looks like a tropical jungle. And more on the way!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- RECORD JULY RAIN

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:01:36 -0400

This morning we had a deluge dumping ¾ inch of rain in little over 30 minutes. Our 15 year record for monthly rain in July is 5.89 inches. So far this month – 5.40 inches and it’s only mid-month. Looks like a new record with more on the way today.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- TROPICAL WAVE

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 11:15:19 -0400

Lousy day on Anguilla – rain, wind (gust of 33 mph +), distant thunder - and more on the way. Tropical wave to our SE looks like it will give us this weather for a few days. Guess no diving this weekend!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- MORE RAIN

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 15:06:21 -0400

So far we have had 2.80 inches of rain - approaching the 10 year record of 3.13 inches for 24 hour period set back in May, 2006. And now it's raining harder than ever - rain rate of 4+ inches per hour! Pool ready to overflow.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzjS87LI39w

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- LOTTSA RAIN!

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2011 11:57:50 -0400

Day started out beautiful – not a cloud in the sky after an entire day of clouds Saturday. Then some light rain moved in about 10:30, and for the last 20 minutes, rain at times falling at a rate of 5+ in. per hour. Already have 1.4 in. and now heavier than ever! Blowing deck furniture everywhere!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Longest Day

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:41:19 +0100

Today is the longest day of the year, in other words tomorrow the nights start get longer and darker, at 22.45 about 45 minutes ago I took my small brown dog for her evening constitutional and it was still light enough to see without a flashlight even though it was overcast and drizzling. We are about 100 miles south of Edinburgh and I was told once by someone that was supposed to know that Edinburgh is on the same latitude as Achorage Alaska, that is seriously far north. No doubt the weather gurus among you will know exactly. When one thinks that in Anguilla the days are pretty much 12 hours long, it does seem extraordinary that here in the lake district we have daylight this time of year for nearly 18 hours in the 24. Hope all is well your side of the pond.

A good evening to everyone,

Little Bay Barn

- WET WEATHER

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:18:45 -0400

Since 3:00 AM today, have had 0.71 in. of rain, with serious thunder and lightning a good bit of the afternoon. Power out twice, deck furniture blown in the pool, but everything very green – and clean! Still some lightening to the south, but looks like most of it is out of here. Right now, wind is 0 and humidity is up there.

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

- Anguilla from across the pond

By Joanie Howard <joanie.howard1 at googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:03:59 +0100

It is a while since I posted anything, not much point as I am 5000 miles away, but this evening I walked the small brown dog up the lane looking to see if I could spot the eclipse of the moon; I had no luck, I'm afraid, as we have fairly thick cloud cover tonight here in the north west of England, but I thought maybe others in the Caribbean or America might be able to see it, as you are all 5 hours or so behind, you might just go outside and get a glimpse. Looking at the satellite pic of Anguilla it looks as though it could be overcast there as well, maybe even some rain, which would be good. I noticed two blobs to the south/west and various disturbances coming across the Atlantic, I hope everyone is reasonably prepared as the whole world seems to have been having strange weather. Here we had a lovely dry cold sunny March and April, but May has been wet, windy, cold and dank, and June not much better so far. One thing that has uplifted the spirit has been hearing the Cuckoo in the last ten days, I thought he was not coming back this year as they are supposed to be here in May, but it has arrived and is haunting and lovely, as Wordsworth said.

"No thrilling sound was ever heard

In springime than the Cuckoo-bird

Breaking the silence of the seas

Among the farthest Hebrides."

I attach a pic of small brown dog in her natural habitat (tho she's just as at home on Shoal Bay) and hope all my friends on Stormcarib are well and happy. Back to Anguilla in a couple of months. I can't wait.

A very good night to all,

Little Bay Barn

Attachment: 040.JPG
Description: JPEG image

- RAIN,RAIN

By "Steve Donahue" <tainos at anguillanet.com>
Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 08:44:47 -0400

Except for a few peeks on Wed. and Thursday, we have not seen the sun since Tuesday. Rain pretty much all day/night yesterday and still raining today. No big downpours, just light rain or mist – but pretty much rain all the time. Looks like a band of showers/rain will continue to be pumped up to us from the SW for a few days yet. Cistern full, plants green, tourist REALLY not happy!

Steve Donahue

www.anguilla-weather.com/

Anguilla, AI2640, B.W.I.

US Phone – 410-505-8661

Anguilla Phone – 264-497-8177

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