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- - - 2012 Hurricane Season - - -
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- California Dreaming
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:42:23 -0400
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The swells are big ribbons coming in, the surf is
curling high on the north side beaches and north sides of the outlying
islands. Gorgeous day,
and looking north deep clouds are building up. Sandy
will effect millions in many ways. Already several businesses I deal with
stateside
are riding this out and all is on hold. We are showing cruise ship
cancellations for this week of course. It is difficult for some folks to
understand
the power of weather. Sandy will convince those
doubters.
When you have the chance to drive away, do it.
Being prepared is the best medicine.
Take care all. You will learn so much from your neighbors
now.
Jane Higgins on the Northwest side of St
Thomas
jhigginswear at islands.vi
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- Aircraft and One Body Found Jane Higgins has forwarded a page to you from St. Thomas Source
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2012 20:21:19 -0400
|
It was a gorgeous day and seas were calm, and now this news,
I
was just driving from town West to our house and saw police cars in front of the
C.King Airport West End Hangars,
Jane Higgins
thought you would like to see this page from the St. Thomas Source web
site.
Message from Sender:
I just drove by the West End Hangar
Searchers Saturday located the missing Piper Aztec airplane that disappeared
Oct. 13 on a routine newspaper delivery trip between St. Croix and St.
Thomas.
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- Search Supended ; A Calm Morning
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:52:21 -0400
|
Good Morning,
It is very calm and cool this morning. The sea is lying
down, and the clouds are moving west to east in a steady flow.
All colors of blues/iris and periwinkle in the sky, and fresh
emeralds are reflected in the growing things on land.
See report below from our web news, The St Thomas Source,
sad news.
Subject: Jane Higgins has forwarded a page to you from St. Thomas
Source
Jane Higgins
thought you would like to see this page from the St. Thomas Source web
site.
Message from Sender:
At sunset on Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for survivors
of a downed Piper Aztec plane on a routine newspaper delivery flight between St.
Thomas and St. Croix.
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- Windier Darker
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:52:39 -0400
|
It is windier now, lots of clouds building up, sea is building, and it is
getting darker earlier today. Another day of
searching.
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- Now it's raining and No News on Downed Plane
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:25:51 -0400
|
It is a dark afternoon. We just had a windy shower and
the sound of water rushing into the cistern was welcome. As it gets darker
and
closer to dusk another day of searching has come and gone with
no updated news of Kirby Hodge the pilot and passengers missing
since
5:25 a.m. Saturday. The one passenger found
alive says much about the energy of all
still involved in the search. So many thanks
are owed.
Jane Higgins on Northwest Side of Thomas.
FROM THE ST THOMAS SOURCE
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- Update on downed Plane
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 02:24:28 -0400
|
Light rain showers just beginning now. No wind.
Same sad news has been confirmed by the St Thomas Source online. Jane
Higgins on Northwest Side of Thomas.
FROM THE ST THOMAS SOURCE
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- Rafael again
|
- From: Ronnie <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:27:54 -0400
|
Looks like Rafael has been zig zagging and has zigged again. If he doesn't zag he should pass east of us around 2. He has sped up! Now 12 mph and also up to 50 mph winds with gusts to 65. Sent from Ronnie's iPhone |
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- 3 missing, 1 dead in small plane carsh in USVI ...
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 14:50:47 -0400
|
I received this story from
Scott Kurtz of the Weather Channel, I don’t want to believe it. Looks like
AP News Jane Higgins
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Missing
Pilot USVI
|
- From: "Jane
Higgins" <jhigginswear at
islands.vi>
- Date: Sat, 13
Oct 2012 12:02:04 -0400
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|
Jane
Higgins Northwest side of St
Thomas | |
From: Kurtz, Scott
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2012 2:08 PM
To: Weather
Tidbits
Subject: 3 missing, 1 dead in small plane carsh in USVI ...
BC-CB--US Virgin Islands-Plane
Crash,119
3 missing, 1 dead in small plane crash in
USVI
Eds: APNewsNow.
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) -- At
least three
people are missing and one person has died after a small
plane that
was delivering newspapers went down in the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
The interim executive director for the island's
Port Authority
says the plane went down just eight miles (13 kilometers)
south of
the airport in St. Thomas. David Mapp said in a phone
interview
Saturday that the plane had been delivering newspapers to
the
island of St. Croix and was returning to St.
Thomas.
He said the plane had picked up a couple of
passengers before it
returned to St. Thomas.
Mapp said rescue crews are still trying to
recover more bodies.
He said he did not know what type of plane was
involved.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.
All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-10-13-12 1338EDT
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- Missing Pilot USVI
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 12:02:04 -0400
|
Per report from Anguilla, my husband the airplane mechanic with office in
same hangar as Kirby Hodge reports from several people that the search
continues for Kirby Hodge and his Aztec down between St Croix and St
Thomas. Kirby flies the newspapers around 4 am every morning, wonder what
the
weather was between St Croix and St Thomas at that time this morning?
If any one has any news please update. A Caribbean Buzz R44 helicopter is
over
the scene now.
We are seeing some increase in wind and less sunlight , lots of cloud build
up.
Jane Higgins Northwest side of St Thomas
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- Rafael
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 07:19:52 -0400 (EDT)
|
Just when we thought it was all over. Looks like he will be a breeze. Hopefully nothing harsh. Thought the season had wound down. Good reason to be always prepared.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- GRATEFUL FOR RAIN GAIN
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2012 10:07:10 -0400
|
A series of straight down cistern collecting showers passed
overnight and this morning and all the flora is glowing now.
Any gain in the cistern is a gift. Skies are blue
and the horizon is crisp. The quiet storm season is so far so
good.
We are the usual lucky ones.
Jane Higgins from Fortuna in St Thomas, US Virgin
Islands
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- September Sigh
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:09:13 -0400
|
With great relief we look past September 14 and stay alert but
relieved to get this mid month past us. Travelling last week
to the same trade show in Florida every year in September was a
piece of cake without historical fears. The pressure of
storm
season is deep rooted in island folks. We were lucky
enough to get some rain in the last few daysp; greening us up and saving
the call to the water truck this week. There is a clear
defined horizon, gorgeous sky and fluffy clouds, fantastic for a September
day.
Fingers crossed and taking nothing for granted.
Jane Higgins on the cool calm Northwest side of St
Thomas
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- 'Leslie' passing to the NE off the VI...., as has been forecast for quite a while now...
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- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 23:07:15 -0400
|
....
It is always amazing to read the Discussion (in this case the 23:00) this evening, keeping in mind how far we've come in forecasting the millions of parameters involved with weather!!!
"...THE INITIAL MOTION IS 280/16. LESLIE IS CURRENTLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE
OF THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE...WHICH SHOULD STEER THE SYSTEM GENERALLY
WEST-NORTHWESTWARD FOR THE NEXT 48 HR OR SO.
AFTER THAT...THE GLOBAL MODELS ARE IN GOOD AGREEMENT THAT A MID-/UPPER-LEVEL
SHORTWAVE TROUGH...CURRENTLY SEEN IN WATER VAPOR IMAGERY MOVING OFF OF THE
COAST OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES...SHOULD DEVELOP INTO A CUT-OFF
LOW BETWEEN BERMUDA AND THE BAHAMAS.
THIS LOW IS FORECAST TO BREAK THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE AT THE MID-/UPPER-LEVELS...
AND EXTEND FAR ENOUGH VERTICALLY DOWNWARD TO WEAKEN THE RIDGE AT 700-850 MB.
THIS EVOLUTION SHOULD CAUSE LESLIE TO GRADUALLY TURN NORTHWARD ON THE EASTERN
SIDE OF THE CUT-OFF LOW AFTER THE 48 HR POINT.
THE TRACK GUIDANCE IS IN GOOD AGREEMENT WITH THIS SCENARIO...AND THE NEW
FORECAST TRACK IS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS TRACK THROUGH 96 HR.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TRACK GUIDANCE STARTS TO DIVERGE AT 120 HR
REGARDING HOW QUICKLY LESLIE SHOULD ENCOUNTER THE WESTERLIES...AND BASED
ON THIS SPREAD...THE TRACK FORECAST CALLS FOR A SLOWER AND MORE NORTHERLY
MOTION NEAR THAT TIME...."
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- TS Leslie
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:48:19 -0400 (EDT)
|
After we all have been paying attention to Isaac, we now can turn to Leslie. It appears that Leslie will be passing north of us. Will be nice if it does. Keep posted.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Weather to the East, Captive Dolphins Coming to St Thomas?
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:48:21 -0400
|
Looking to the East and we see the need for more diligence in
removing any loose or lightweight objects from the exteriors of our
homes
by Sunday night again, just in case. No reason not to be
ready for anything that may come our way in the next few
months.
The following is my personal opinion and appeal.
Our environment and our weather effects all living creatures
including the magnificent dolphins that call the open ocean their
home.
Coral World Ocean Park on St Thomas is proposing to enclose
dolphins soon in hopes of making Coral World more financially
viable.
I am amazed that anyone thinks capturing and enclosing free
creatures of the sea will enhance their business. The trend in
tourism
is eco and animal friendly. Why would Coral World go
backwards to make a buck? The backlash protest to this proposal will
cause
negative reactions to Coral World and St Thomas if this plan is
implemented.
See the article attached, and please do anything you can to
help keep dolphins safe from us. Follow this link to sign a
petition
you read on imagine what would happen during a storm to
the dolphins, and the enclosure and foul water left behind. Please
let
our Department of Tourism know how you feel about captive
dolphins on St Thomas by calling 800-372-8784 or
340-774-8784,
(requesting their email address by voice will be very
effective.)
From our local on line media The VI Source
|
A Dolphin Swim in the Works
for Coral World
By Lynda Lohr — August 27, 2012
Plans are in the works for a dolphin swim at Coral World Ocean
Park on St. Thomas, manager Trudie Prior said.“People want to be
really close to animals,” she said. “Being a spectator at a small
aquarium is not going to cut it.”
Prior said the proposed dolphin swim is also an effort to make
Coral World more financially viable, after struggling for several
years.
The goal was to open in the 2013-14 tourism season, but Prior
said the summer of 2014 is more realistic because there have been
delays in the Coastal Zone Management process.
She said the Planning and Natural Resources Department’s State
Historic Preservation Office must complete a study to determine if
there are any historic artifacts in the area before the project
can go to public hearings.
Coral World already has a swim-with-animals attraction. Prior
said its sea lion swim, which opened in 2007, is very
successful.
The dolphins that Coral World plans to buy already live in
captivity. Prior said several facilities across the Caribbean have
breeding programs, and the up to 10 dolphins at Coral World will
come from one of those programs. Prior said the dolphin swim will
probably start with six dolphins.
“We’ll build a natural and normal social group with these
dolphins,” Coral World curator Lee Keller said.
The group will have a matriarchal female and several young
females as well as a couple of young males.
“A sort of bachelor group,” Keller said.
The dolphins will live in confined space in the ocean at Water
Bay that’s about two acres in size. Keller said that concrete
pilings will connect four-inch stainless steel mesh that serves as
the pen’s walls.
Prior said it will have a sanctuary where dolphins who are
tired of company can retreat.
“Nobody’s going to bug them while they’re there,” Keller
added.
Additionally, the pen will have a maternity area where pregnant
dolphins will give birth.
An area in the pen will have a liner that can filter water if
for some reason the water in Water Bay becomes contaminated.
“And we’ll be able to lift dolphins out of the water in case of
a hurricane,” Prior said.
Keller said in that case the dolphins would remain inside a
building in transport boxes until the hurricane passes.
“They should be able to ride it out without any problem,”
Keller said.
A viewing platform will sit adjacent to the pen so people who
want to just look rather than swim can gather.
The cost of the project is roughly $7 million, and when
completed, will add 24 full-time positions to the company’s
current payroll.
The project has been controversial with many travel forum
participants who live on the mainland signing petitions against
it. Additionally, many V.I. residents also signed the petition. As
of 4 p.m. Monday, 1,228 people signed petitions stating that they
were against the dolphin swim.
“We can see the dolphins when we are out sailing,” wrote Marie
Pohlman of Connecticut when she signed the petition. “We don't
have to get personal with them in a pool. Let the dolphins live as
Mother Nature intended, FREE.”
The petition drive was spearheaded by St. Thomas resident Fiona
Stuart, who said the petitions will go to CZM, Gov. John deJongh
Jr. and the Legislature. She’s also started a group called V.I.
Dolphin Voices.
“I object to the captivity of wild animals forced to perform
solely for commercial reasons,” Stuart said.
The petition reads: “We urge you to say NO to captive dolphins
on St. Thomas. Keep wildlife in the wild!”
“Dolphins are highly intelligent, sentient beings that swim up
to 100 km a day in the wild. In captivity they suffer restricted
movement, forced human contact, artificial social groupings, being
fed dead fish, exposure to loud sounds and the performance of
unnatural activities in exchange for food rewards,” the petition
continues.
“The proposed Dolphinarium is an open water facility in Water
Bay, a problem area with sewage runoff from surrounding homes
during heavy rains,” the petition says. “Captive dolphin waste
sinks to the ocean floor and currents don't wash it away. This
‘attraction’ is proposed purely for commercial gain and teaches
people that exploitation of animals is acceptable for the sake of
turning a profit.”
Calling it a modern-day circus, Stuart said the Virgin Islands
should take a leadership role in preventing the dolphin swim from
happening.
Stuart said she’s also concerned about the planned location.
She said there is little wave action in Water Bay as well as sewer
runoff from Smith Bay in heavy rains.
“Sometimes there is human sewage floating in Water Bay,” Stuart
said.
She said the dolphins will be swimming in an area already
polluted, and their feces will further contaminate the water.
“Furthermore, they’re asking tourists to get into the water,”
she said.
| from
the NorthWest sunny clear side of St Thomas, Jane Higgins jhigginswear at islands.vi |
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- Isaac from Space , Category One Slow Mover
|
- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:48:44 -0400
|
Counting our lucky stars today that Isaac did not hang around
our little isle. Hoping for the best for all under his lumbering power
now.
We embrace sunshine today and a gentle breeze. Take
care. Jane Higgins on the Northwest Side of St Thomas.
 |
This
album has 1 photo and will be available on SkyDrive until
11/27/2012. |
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- DRIVE AWAY IF YOU CAN
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:11:52 -0400
|
Isaac lingers on and on and we haven’t seen sunshine in quite a few
days. Hazy, misty, and grey. We island folk
don’t do well in this faint light. Let’s look towards the
East and pay attention, we are not done yet.
If you are on the mainland, DRIVE AWAY, it is the option none of
us have. Just do it. The longer you wait the
bigger the traffic jam. Take a few days off, visit someone a
few hours away, take a little ride, leave Isaac’s bulls eye
while you can.
Stay safe and don’t try to second guess Isaac, he doesn’t know
where he is going or who he is going to mess up.
There will be copious amounts of rain as you can see from his
very long tail still pulling moisture up the island chain.
Send some sun our way please.
Jane Higgins Northwest side of St Thomas
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- Next weekend's end of August, beginning of September....
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- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:22:06 -0400
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..
Models are consistent in their forecast of a Tropical Wave coming this Monday off the African coast and developing as it moves West
across the Tropical Atlantic during the upcoming week
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- Rain Harvest
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:39:56 -0400
|
Good Morning,
We are soggy after receiving around 3 inches of rain off and on
yesterday and last night. Some of it was the
straight down into the gutter mode and now we are harvesting
the rain by draining our extra cistern on the
garden wall into the main cistern via gravity.
Rain, gravity, wind, and sun, all free for the taking when we
can.
The pool level is back up and probably well chilled at this
point.
Remember to stay out of the sea for a few days until we get the
water testing results. Run-off can make you sick
and we have enough dengue, flu and crud going around without
asking for more.
There is a slight breeze that feels fantastic . The horizon is
not clear, and the Atlantic has calmed down.
Is Isaac one system? or many? multiple
personalities? and loading up now for another assault? Haiti does
not need a visit
from this crazy guy. It is time to be prepared for any
scenario.
Dave is right about Cantore and the Weather Channel
screwing up the pronunciations of island names. I yell at the
TV
every time he says “Dominican” in reference to the
Dominican Republic, and they usually mis-pronounce Dominca has
well.
Of course Anguilla has been said a few ways and Antigua seems
to be too complicated as well. Good thing we are surrounded
by folks from all the islands to remind us of what is.
Did you know that 80% of St Thomas’ population is from other islands?
The mold count must be huge. All the fans are on full
time duty now. The greening up is startling.
From the North West side of St Thomas, facing the hazy horizon
and calmer Atlantic,
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- Wind gusts...
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- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:57:38 -0400
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...
A few wind gusts in the 30 - 40mpoh range throughout the day, and one 42mph gusts at around 16:20...
Sustained winds during the day in the 20+mph range
As for rain, in the last 24 hours have only received 0.33"... was hoping to have collected more by now...
Attachment:
Thu 08-23-'12 - Bulletin.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
High Wind Speed 08-23-'12.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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- West End of Runway King Airport St Thomas 4:15pm
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:17:02 -0400
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Here is the West End of the Runway at C.King Airport in St Thomas a few
minutes ago. Sure glad I’m not flying today.
 |
This
album has 1 photo and will be available on SkyDrive until
11/21/2012. | Your message is ready to
be sent with the following file or link
attachments: photo
|
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- Dark Afternoon
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:18:22 -0400
|
Just took the dogs out and back inside in time for rapid
darkening of skies. That video from Coral Bay,St. John was
telling. My last call night
was from a friend in Coral Bay looking for a tepid forecast, I
think I underestimated the forecast abit after looking at this video. Just
getting
nastier right now. Swirling low clouds and now the rain
comes. We’ve had power outages off and on and now on solar power with
no
sun, so will cut this short.
I hear from the airport (South side) that the seas are
high. I would not want to be flying in this, ceiling is super low at the
moment.
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- Quiet
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:07:59 -0400
|
Good Afternoon,
It is very quiet here, a few gusts here and there, and the Atlantic is
looking a little mean. Reports show 10-14 ft seas. No watersports today.
Six a.m. brought a gorgeous pink sky
and hope for rain.
The latest report from the aviator at C.King Airport in St Thomas says " It
is pretty windy over here and the sky is pretty black to the south. So it
looks like STX is getting some rain. The two Jet Center hangers are packed
with airplanes, and the helicopter came home last night . " He also sent
these pictures to entertain us, the Costa Concordia from space, it looks
bigger than the island it is resting next to. There were early morning
flight cancellations, but flights are resuming now. If the gusts go over 35
mph expect a disrupted flight schedule today.
We are playing tag with the sun and the solar panels. The cistern is hoping
for another deposit.
From the cooler NorthWest Side of St Thomas, in the moldy part of Fortuna,
facing the angrier Atlantic.
Jane Higgins jhigginswear at islands.vi
Attachment:
Costa Concordia from space.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
unknown-21.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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- Isaac & TD-10 - One view...
|
- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:26:09 -0400
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...
Isaac and TD-10 overview...
Attachment:
Isaac & TD-10.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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- Isaac?
|
- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:28:14 -0400 (EDT)
|
8 am advisory shows Isaac directly south of us. Nothing substantial as yet as far as rain or wind is concerned. Hopefully we will get some more rain. And hopefully he will continue to spare others in his path, especially Haiti.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Still here, more on the way
|
- From: mantaray357 at yahoo.com
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:00:13 +0000
|
After looking at the NHC 5am update, it seems Isaac has slowed down a bit -
12mph. It's also a hair further south as well. The 'how close can it get' went
from +/- 120 miles to just over 150 miles away. Intermittent showers over night
kept me up & down with the hatches, but I was happy to have them open, fo'tru!
All forecasts show that we'll get most of the rain later in the afternoon, and
again after midnight. Best guess on gusts down in 'the hole' in Red Hook is
maybe 35. Got one line that likes to make noise about there, even though it's
tied off.
Hopefully no one will get crazy thinking the worst is over...and start surfing
or other silly water activities.
Be well, stay safe!
Capt Kim
S/V Slo Dancin
Near AYH, Red Hook
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
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- Thursday morning....
|
- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 06:07:01 -0400
|
....
Wind picking up a bit here on the Northside... few gusts over 30mph since 05:00... rain only 0.03" since midnight.
Local weather discussion talks about conditions building up today and into tonight / Friday morning due to 'Isaac' still becoming a hurricane by the time it gets South of Hispaniola..
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/JSJ/AFDSJU
Storm seemed to have stalled a little, with the 'center' relocated a little further South in the 05:00 update.
Air Force Hurricane Hunter reporting low pressure of 1005mb so far on this night / morning's flight (05:52)..
http://tropicalatlantic.com/recon/
Attachment:
Isaac 1005mb.jpg
Description: JPEG image
Attachment:
Thu Aug 23 - 05-56.jpg
Description: JPEG image
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- 10:30 pm and wind is picking up
|
- From: James Latham <latham52 at gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:28:23 -0300
|
|
Hello to all, just stumbled across this great site, and wanted to join in. Located in Mandahl overlooking Salt Pond. It's 10:30 pm and the wind has picked up a bit. Took down my wing turbine and tower at noon today, was cautious, but knowing I would miss some electric power generation , left the solar panels up. A little rain, cistern could use lots more.
Jammer
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- Orchid worry.....Is it Humid ... Current conditions
|
- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:54:16 -0400
|
Harry Brandt sent some sites for us to click on to, and I realize now
why I’ve been sweating so much today.....
91% humidity! See below.
We are gusty, and rainy off and on, and the younger shepherd continues to
bark at the thunder.
I worry about the orchids tied to trees , and in baskets on the fence and
remember that they are rain forest lovers and
all of this is normal for them.
Wondering to about the neighbors that leave their dogs on chains tied to
trees all year, thru all kinds of weather. Same
thoughts every year when we go thru this cycle. Am amazed that
the dogs are still alive.
here
is Harry’s info........
Data is being sent from our Davis weather station at Mahogany
Run. The data pushed to many sites but here are two that are easy to keep up
with.
http://www.weatherlink.com/user/mahoganyrun/
This is the Davis site. It shows current data including rainfall. Mahogany run
is on the North side
of St Thomas, home to one of the greatest golf courses in the
world.
Here is the weather underground link http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=MD8627
It shows current data, historical and trending.
For some reason Weather Underground does not pick up the rainfall data sent from
the station.
Stay safe, and remember your Caribbean neighbors, eventually
we all get around to taking it one way or another.
From the gusty Northwest side of St Thomas, in Fortuna,
facing the Atlantic, having just had a gorgeous sunset wild with high cloud tops
and periwinkle auras....
Jane Higgins jhigginswear at islands.vi
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- Shut down news
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:08:20 -0400
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The government announced that the ferry service between St John
and St Thomas will shut down at 7pm and the Port Authority
is
shutting the ports at 8pm. Some flights have been
cancelled. We are on hold.
Now back to the decks, plants, stuff, on perimeter,
etc. Storm scares always initiate clean
up.
We just had a blow thru showers, kind of sideways. So
clothes on line had another rinse cycle. Now it is extremely calm and
grey.
Jane Higgins Northwest side of St Thomas
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- Wednesday afternoon...and the much needed rain starts (Isaac)
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- From: Kim Caley <mantaray357 at yahoo.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:20:41 -0700 (PDT)
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Sitting at a friend's house at the top of Cabrita Point (East End) ...the next bunch of rain just started...St John disappeared.
From the 2PM NHC update, 15.8N, 60.2W moving due west about 18 knots (20MPH). I know many folks around the island who aren't boarding up. As for me, my extra anchor (wait, is there such a thing as an extra anchor?) is out, canvas wrapped or down...and will wait for the next break in the rain to head back to the boat. Yes, I'm going to stay aboard. No reason NOT to. The NOAA tropical storm wind probability is 40%, and as fast as this sucker is moving, it won't last all that long. Conditions will deteriorate as the day goes on, and best guess the worst of it will be about sunup. WHY does this stuff have to happen when I can sleep in?
Button up,
buttercups - or break out the Joy soap and take a shower =)...with temp of 86 and heat index of 101F....cold shower will feel good.
Captain Kim S/V Slo Dancin Vessup Bay, Red Hook "Be good, and you will be lonesome" - Mark Twain
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- Gustier
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:28:55 -0400
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It is getting gustier by the hour here on the Northwest side of
St Thomas and seas are rising, white caps suggest
5-7 ft plus. The gusts are really helping dry the laundry
on the line faster than usual. Getting the laundry
done
before a storm is always a must.
A cruise ship has decided to go to Jamaica and Mexico instead
of here, and that does not help our lowest scheduled
calls in August in many years, but I’m sure the passengers
respect the Captain’s choice.
It is the memories of past storms, gusty winds and greying
skies that drives us to do the necessary.
Jane Higgins , Fortuna, St Thomas
Northwest side facing the Angier Atlantic
jhigginswear at islands.vi
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- Hurricane Hunters...
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- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:09:16 -0400
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...
Interesting track, though pressure slightly up ;-) 'Teal 73' flying in(to) storm at 1800Z for more updates..
Herman
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- Frenchies Know Best......
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- From: Jimmy and Linda Magner <frenchtownfishing at gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:04:01 -0300
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As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the boats were still out on the water and all eyes were on them. Went down for my morning coffee and lo and behold, the ballpark has boats and the small ones are now pulled up. Many are the people on this island who use these fishermen as their guage on whether or not to get ready. Well, I guess they got the message this morning!
To Ronnie: Thanks for the title of this email To Jane: It does help when we live with those in the know, doesn't it? :) Of course, our phone is ringing off the hook the last days with people looking for Yellowtail. I'm afraid it's going to be quite a few days before we're back on the water again.
Blustery winds this morning but no rain as of yet. Linda
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- Christmas in August
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:36:09 -0400
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Good Morning,
Like other Virgin Islanders I too see Isaac going south
of us on the computer and TV. What I feel when standing
on
the deck facing the Atlantic is wind in gusts. Abit like
Christmas winds , but with longer stalls between gusts. This is not
a normal
breezy day. The seas are building abit, with some
white caps out there and the gusts feel good in this heat. There is no
reason not
to clear some things off the decks
that could blow off on any windy day. Time for
some outside housekeeping.
The aviator is back at the airport today, and the word is that
the list of planes to go in hangars has been set. King Airport in St.
Thomas
is expecting gusts up to 40 mph later today and pilots are
making decisions on where and when to fly later today and tomorrow.
The aviators and fisherman know better than all of we when to
get ready.
Stay tuned.
Jane Higgins from the Northwest side of St Thomas
in Fortuna, facing the Atlantic
jhigginswear at islands.vi
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- TS Isaac
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:10:17 -0400 (EDT)
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DO I have my head in the sand? I still see him passing far enough south of us not to have to board up the house. I am standing by though. Once again when I see the Frenchie's pulling their boats into the ball park in Frenchtown I know it's time. Until then I will wait. Will enjoy some more rain though. yesterday had a few nice showers. Hopefully more today.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- 'Isaac' and '96L'...
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- From: Herman <dspallas at gmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:48:59 -0400
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...
Hi Gert, nice to be back again after all those years ;-)
Today had some nice rain showers from a weak Tropical Wave coming through the islands... resulting in 0.23" on the Northside.
The quieter interlude that was forecast between the wave and 'Isaac' is playing out this evening.
Tropical Storm 'Isaac' expected to pass about 120NM South of the Virgin Islands by Thursday morning 11:00 local time, bringing winds of 30 - 40MPH, into Friday morning.
Curious to see how it will play out.
'96L' in the distance but models are indicating a possible turn to the West and Northwest thereafter. By then it is possibly Tropicl Storm 'Joyce':;
"... This disturbance will track
nearly due west the next three days, then is expected to turn more to
the west-northwest late this week, bringing it close to the northern
Lesser Antilles Islands by Sunday. ...".
If the forecast and models holds true it would be around 550NM to the NE of the US Virgin Islands...
Herman
Attachment:
WX Fax 08-21-12--1800Z.jpg
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Attachment:
WX Station - Mon 08-21-'12 - Bulletin.jpg
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WX Station - Mon 08-21-'12 - Strip charts.jpg
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Attachment:
TS Joyce - Sun 08-26-'12--1200Z.jpg
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- Isaac!
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:14:47 -0400 (EDT)
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Getting calls and emails. Should we worry? Looks like we will get some rain, possibly some rain. Have to wait for the next coordinates to see which way Isaac is heading.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Greetings from St. Thomas!
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- From: Jimmy and Linda Magner <frenchtownfishing at gmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:50:11 -0300
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First of all, I'd like to congratulate EVERYONE on the very successful Texas Society Chili Cook Off we had on Sunday. Beautiful weather, fantastic turn out (I personally think at least 10 per cent or more of the island population) and last but not least, some of the best chili I've ever eaten!
Of course, all our eyes are staring to the east. Preparations are almost ready for anything. I know that some of the larger boats here in St. Thomas are being moved into the mangroves, some are going off to Puerto Rico and others are being moved on to moorings. The fishermen in Frenchtown haven't pulled their boats yet but I suspect that if we see any sort of jog to the north, that will quickly happen.
We've got waves of rain and gusty winds this morning. Thoughts and prayers to all fellow islanders. Take care out there! J & L
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- Rain
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:48:01 -0400
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Just had the beginning of much needed rain. Love that dripping sound
into the cistern. Will
re-read and take heed of Dave’s message today. The aviation mechanic
is down with dengue
and giving directions from the couch. That’s life ........ in
the tropics.
From the Northwest side of St Thomas overlooking the Atlantic
Jane Higgins
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- TD-9
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:51:22 -0400 (EDT)
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Get ready for some rain. Currently forecast to pass 100 miles south of St Croix. Getting more active out there. Lots of dust in the air still, might absorb some of it. Lord knows we need the rain. Stay tuned.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Nice and windy last night
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2012 08:40:22 -0400 (EDT)
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Hope that's the end or Ernesto. No need to mess up a perfectly good outdoor wedding tonight! And, here we go again; TD 6! So far it looks south of us and may fizzle out however we never know.
To my friends in Cayman, watch out for Ernesto!
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Update
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- From: 9123081512 at txt.att.net
- Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 18:56:04 -0500
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Good Evening St. Thomas.
Tropical Storm Ernesto's outer feeder bands are Now affecting our Island. Dark
ominous clouds have now cove
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- Update
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- From: 9123081512 at txt.att.net
- Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 18:50:10 -0500
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Well, no sooner than I made my Tropical Update, the skies opened and we are
experiencing major T-storms and gusty winds on Northside,
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This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T
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- Update
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- From: 9123081512 at txt.att.net
- Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 18:33:36 -0500
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Well, no sooner than I made my Tropical Update, the skies opened and we are
experiencing major T-storms and gusty winds on Northside,
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This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T
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- Update
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- From: 9123081512 at txt.att.net
- Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 18:15:42 -0500
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Good Evening St. Thomas.
Tropical Storm Ernesto's outer feeder bands are Now affecting our Island. Dark
ominous clouds have now cove
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- TD-5
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2012 08:04:59 -0400 (EDT)
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Thankfully it looks like she will pass south of us this weekend. Hope we do get some rain after it passes. Don't want to mess up a grand wedding planned this weekend.
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Weather Wonders
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- From: Kim Caley <mantaray357 at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:10:48 -0700 (PDT)
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Naturally I have been following with great interest the nasty rain looking things the past few days. One thing that has been rather heartening are the water temperatures that have been recorded by the buoys listed with the National Data Buoy Center. They are well below average for our area for this time of year.
Those sea temperatures along with just how darned DRY St Thomas has been (Ronnie, I bet you were happy with all the rain this morning!)...it seemed as I watched the radar today that the rain just....evaporated....as it came from St John toward St Thomas. I am certain St John is in as dire a water need as we are here on St Thomas....and they got a LOT this morning about 6 AM.
We will all be keeping an eye on things, but don't forget that we have two deep trenches that sort of help keep
water temperatures DOWN...which is what we want!
NDBC website runs off of a Google Earth platform, so just click on "Caribbean Sea" to get you in the neighborhood, then scroll down. When you see them, you will be able to click on each individual buoy. The red ones are not NOAA buoys, but you can still get their data elsewhere.
Captain Kim S/V Slo Dancin Muller Bay/Red Hook "Be good, and you will be lonesome" - Mark Twain
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- Gray Day
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- From: "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:28:26 -0400
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Good Afternoon,
Passing showers, gray skies, and more to come. Now is the
time for weather watching again. Stay tuned.
Jane Higgins in Fortuna, Northwest side of St
Thomas
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- Hello
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- From: Ronnie Lockhart <ronusvi at aol.com>
- Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:42:59 -0400 (EDT)
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That time of year again!! Invest 99l, Let's see what happens. Sure could use some rain. Cisterns almost empty!!
Ronnie Lockhart
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- Power, Water, Dust and Boom!
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- By "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:41:40 -0400
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Good Morning,
This report is coming from our solar powered
office. A pole and transformer went down early
this morning in our neighborhood after a rainy night. Power is
off and on, and it is cloudy and cool. As hot and dry as June
was, July has turned out to be one of the
nicest summer months we’ve had in our almost 20 years
here. The breezes and sea have
picked up, we’ve had enough passing
showers to green everything back up and the hose from
the backyard cistern will be downloading
into the main cistern today.
State siders may begin to envy our cooler summer
temps (I’ve been comparing our numbers with our friends in
Nebraska,
Colorado, Connecticut and Maine everyday) and it might be
time to realize that summer visits to the the Caribbean just might be the cooler
ticket.
Crazy to think that our friends in the Northeast may be
sweating more than us. Living without air conditioning is our
norm,
and our folks really wonder about that.
Water conservation has always been the Caribbean game; (
with home cisterns instead of basements) as we keep our usage down
by
living the sailor’s lifestyle when showering, flushing
and laundry. My 80’s something mother-in-law in Indiana, land of heat and
drought
this summer has come to the conclusion after receiving
the biggest water bill of her life, that she too can cut back on water
use.
They are on water restrictions and the water police are
out ticketing folks for lawn watering and car washing.
Amazing
and about time. She told us she realizes she can
take a shower every third day and do laundry and
run the dishwasher once a week!
This is the future and anyone in the Caribbean can tell you
we’ve been living it for years.
The storm patterns are setting up; the booming thunder,
humidity and weather from Africa is on the way. The Sahara dust keeps
us
safe , something to remember when missing the clear
skies.
It is time to check the batteries and pantry just in
case. We are still the lucky ones to hang onto this gorgeous life, and
have the
parakeets chatter as our alarm clock.
Jane Higgins on the Northwest side of St Thomas facing
the Atlantic
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- Such is the life on a fishing tournament!
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- By Jimmy and Linda Magner <frenchtownfishing at gmail.com>
- Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:41:34 -0300
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Good day, everyone! Seems like forever since I last posted! Well, yesterday was the annual Kingfish Tournament here in St. Thomas, held in Hull Bay. The day started off with a little breeze, waves about 3-4 feet and a few clouds in the sky. That was short lived. We were headed south towards Buck Island (St. Thomas side) when the tropical wave hit us. Very quickly, the 3-4 ended up being 10-12 and we were in the middle of it. I can tell you that I've had my moments on the water while fishing and this was one of "those moments" that will go down in my history books of the "I don't like this....I REALLY don't like this....get me the hell out of this mess NOW" moments! (And let's not talk about the motor quitting in the middle of all this!) I know the weather brought a lot of the fishing boats in a lot earlier than the 12:00 deadline.
Anyway, aside from getting extremely wet, didn't catch anything that would qualify, we still had a grand time, as usual! Kudos to the organizers for a wonderful tournament again and our congratulations to the winners!
Aside from the tournament, we were out fishing last week and came in with a lovely catch of Yellowtail. Had a couple of sharks around us but they weren't the least bit interested in our catch. They just breezed by and left us alone.
Other than that, life is good. Take care and catch up with you again soon! L & J
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- Update
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- By 9123081512 at txt.att.net
- Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:28:09 -0500
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Tropical Update Correction: Invest 97L is 11.7N 47.1W. Still moving W at 13
Kts. Mbs 1011. (Earlier location I gave, has been corr
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- Tropical Update STT - 06.29.12: Invest 97L - Possibly Ernesto?
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- By Cordelia Jones <cordelia667 at yahoo.com>
- Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:53:16 -0700 (PDT)
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Afternoon St. Thomas.
It appears we now have Invest 97L that is approx. 810 miles from the Windward Islands. Its current position is "roughly" 13.4N 47.4W, moving W at approx. 15 mph. It appears convection has become better organized, but with the SAL and dry air aloft, this Tropical Wave might have a hard go into tropical cyclone formation. NHC/NOAA giving it a 20% chance of cyclone formation as of 2:00 pm (AST) advisory. Early models mostly have this going S of us, but we all know it is too early too tell with these systems.
$$ Delia Jones Attachment:
Invest 97L - June 29, 2012 at 230 pm (Navy).jpg
Description: JPEG image
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- Just making this address a contact
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- By Rob Kunkel <weatherstation.amaliaview at gmail.com>
- Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:08:27 -0400
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This is the only way that I know how to do it easily do it with gmail. tks rrk
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- About Last Night, Water Truck Goes on Vacation
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- By "Jane Higgins" <jhigginswear at islands.vi>
- Date: Thu, 3 May 2012 12:39:25 -0300
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Yesterday, into the night, and the early hours we had
plenty of rain. The water truck drivers can now
book their vacations for the rest of May. We have around
4 1/2 “ in the rain gauge (wine bucket) from yesterday morning.
The pounding thunder and lightening flashes do not disturb the
old dog Max, but the youngster Macy barks in full
attack mode at every boom, and holds her rubber bone in her
mouth fiercely shaking it at Mother Nature. Hilarious.
The pepper seedlings are now hydroponic and the rest of the
veggies soggy soggy. The pool is over full and the
cisterns
are getting there.
Right now we have low hanging foggy clouds, boomers and
rain coming and going. The river runs thru the driveway
again
taking the gravel downhill. The roads in town yesterday
afternoon were pooling up and if this continues keeping
brakes
dry will be a challenge.
We are hoping for some clearing later so we can use the water
gained in the cistern to pressure wash the mold gained
on the outside walls, as usual, a give and
take.
St Thomas Carnival ended this weekend after weeks of glorious
fun. My first trip down Main Street in the Parade
with
the Zumba Troupe was spectacular. In almost 20 years of
parade attending, we have never had such breezy cool
weather
as we did this last Saturday. What luck, with 10-20 mph
winds we barely felt the midday heat.
To see more of the Zumba Troupe in the 60th Anniversary of St
Thomas Carnival Parade Saturday April 28 click
scrolling down the home page and see pics of euphoric
Zumbarinas. Zumba = dance, exercise and fun.
Take care and let these May showers remind us of what to be
ready for.
From the foggy, soggy, cool, Northwest side of St Thomas,
Fortuna, facing the Atlantic.
Jane Higgins
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