2008.08.29
Gustav back at hurricane strength
Gustav gets more organized in the Caribbean
Gustav has reclaimed the hurricane moniker with 75 mph winds and it is projected to rather rapidly propel across western Cuba toward the U.S. Gulf Coast between east Texas and Alabama, coming ashore as early as late Monday or early Tuesday. (Click here for the latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center.) Meanhwhile, Tropical Storm Hanna is gradually strengthening in the Atlantic. New forecasts suggest Hanna will become a hurricane but may be pushed south at some point by high pressure to the north.
At this time, no direct effects from Gustav or Hanna are expected in the next week for Southwest Virginia, as the same high pressure that kept Fay at bay for a week should dominate the scene and deflect both of these systems. This map from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center shows the low that was Gustav over Oklahoma by Thursday and Hanna (depicted here as a tropical depression ... that's debatable) southeast of Florida. Anything this far out is very tentative, and beyond this time frame, it is possible the high could lose its grip and allow either or both of these systems to move our way.
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Regardless of what happens here, it doesn't look very good for the Gulf coast.
Prayers go out to those in its path.
Comment by Brandon R. — August 29, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
7 AM Sat. Gustav has already become a serious hurricane. 5 AM EDT readings: Winds 115, moving NW at 12, and it is still well south of Cuba!
Comment by Doug Griggs — August 30, 2008 @ 7:12 am