Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Unanswered questions concerning Hurricane Isaac

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:35 PM GMT on August 31, 2012

+54

The top winds of Tropical Depression Isaac have fallen to 25 mph, but the storm continues to be a potent rain-maker as it heads north-northwest at 11 mph into Missouri. Isaac has spawned up to 20 suspected tornadoes, brought storm surges as high as 13.6' to the coast (in Lake Borgne, LA), and dumped 20" of rain at one station in New Orleans. The 13.27" of rain that fell at Hattiesburg, MS broke the record for wettest August in the city's history (previous record: 13.03" in 1987.) Major flooding is occurring on seven rivers in Louisiana and Mississippi. Isaac is being blamed for at least four deaths in the U.S., 24 in Haiti, and five in the Dominican Republic.

A few notable rainfall totals from Isaac, through 11 am EDT on Friday:

20.08" New Orleans, LA
15.02" Marion, MS
13.99" Pascagoula, MS
13.27" Hattiesburg, MS
10.85" Gulfport, MS
10.39" Slidell, LA
10.17" Biloxi, MS
9.85" Mobile, AL
7.38" Pine Bluff, AR
5.95" Baton Rouge, LA

A major reason for Isaac's heavy rainfall totals has been its very slow motion. This slow speed was due to the fact Isaac has been bumping into a ridge of high pressure that is unusually strong, due to the intense drought over the center of the U.S.; strong drought-amplified high pressure areas are very resistant to allowing any low pressure areas to intrude into their domain. The high pressure area was strong enough this week to allow several all-time records for heat this late in the year to be set:

112° on August 29 at Winner, SD
108° on August 29 at Valentine, NE
107° on August 29 at Corpus Christi, TX
97° on August 29 at Denver, CO (2nd highest so late in the year)

Figure 1. Nighttime view of Hurricane Isaac taken at 1:57 am CDT August 29, 2012, by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi-NPP satellite. The VIIRS day-night band detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared, and uses light intensification to enable the detection of dim signals. In this case, the clouds of Isaac were lit by moonlight. Image credit: NASA.

Isaac's beneficial rains falling in drought-stricken regions
Hurricanes get a lot of attention because of the billions in damage they cost, and the lives they disrupt. AIR Worldwide estimated today that insured damage from Isaac would cost up to $2 billion. This does not include damage to infrastructure or uninsured damage, so the final price tag of Isaac's rampage will be more like $3 - $5 billion. However, Isaac is now dumping beneficial rains over Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky--regions stricken by the worst drought since the 1950s or 1930s, depending upon the exact location. These regions need 9 - 18 inches of rain to pull them out of drought. Isaac's 3 - 6 inches of rain will not end the drought, but will put a pretty good dent in it. I expect that 3 - 6 inches of rain for a wide swath of prime agricultural land in extreme drought is probably worth at least $5 billion, when you consider that a recent estimate by a Purdue economist put the cost of the great drought of 2012 at more than $77 billion. Only Hurricane Katrina ($146 billion) and the drought of 1988 ($78 billion) have been more expensive disasters, according to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. Unfortunately, Isaac's arrival is poorly timed, as the storm is arriving during harvest season. The strong winds associated with the storm will flatten many crops, making it more difficult to harvest them, and Isaac's winds may cost farmers several hundred million dollars due to unharvestable crops. Still, the rains from Isaac will be highly beneficial for the success of the upcoming winter wheat season, and for next year's growing season.

Figure 2. Predicted precipitation for the five-day period ending on Tuesday evening shows that Isaac is expected to bring a large region of 3 - 6 inches of rain (red, orange, and brown colors) to Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Image credit: NOAA/HPC.

Figure 3. The great drought of 2012 has brought so little rain to the Midwest that some areas require over 15" of rain (dark purple colors) to end the drought. Image credit: NOAA/CPC.

Unanswered questions about Hurricane Isaac

1. Did the passage of Hurricane Isaac stir up oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Isaac was the first hurricane to pass over the site of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We know that large hurricanes are capable of creating currents in deep water at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico; Hurricane Ivan caused upwelling currents of 0.5 cm/s at a depth of about 500 meters. In an August 28 article in the Huffington Post, Nick Shay, professor of meteorology and physical oceanography at the University of Miami, said: "Winds will push water away from the center of a storm, which causes an upwelling as the ocean tries to adjust. It brings whatever is near the bottom up higher in the water column and currents can then push it towards the coast." Up to 1 million barrels of oil from the spill are estimated to still be present in the deep water sediment, on beaches, and in the marshes of Louisiana, and it is possible some of this oil will wash up on the Gulf Coast in coming months. The storm surge of Isaac also likely flushed out oil lodged in the coastal marshes of Louisiana, but it is unknown how much of a concern this might be.

2. What's the deal with these super-sized Category 1 and 2 hurricanes that have been hitting the U.S.? The past three landfalling hurricanes in the U.S.--Isaac (2012), Irene (2011), and Ike (2008)--have all been exceptionally large, among the top ten on record for horizontal extent of tropical storm-force winds. Each of these storms had an unusually low pressure characteristic of a storm one full Saffir-Simpson category stronger. Is this the new normal for U.S. hurricanes?

3. Did the new $14.5 billion upgrade to the New Orleans levee system cause worse flooding elsewhere? Whenever a new levee or flood control structure is created, you make someone else's flood problem worse, since the water has to go somewhere. Where did the water was stopped by the new $1.1 billion, 1.8 mile-long Lake Borgne flood barrier on the east side of New Orleans go? Did it flow south and contribute to the overtopping of the levees near Braithwaite? Or did it go north and contribute to the 36 hours of storm surge in excess of 5' observed along the Mississippi coast at Waveland? I posed this question to NHC's storm surge expert Jaime Rhome, and he said it was impossible to know without doing detailed storm surge modeling studies.

4. Can only hurricanes beginning with the letter "I" hit the U.S. now? Isaac (2012), Irene (2011), and Ike (2008) are the last three hurricanes to hit the U.S. It turns out that hurricanes that begin with the letter "I" and "C" have more names on the list of retired hurricanes than any other letter (nine each.) I'm thinking Isaac will get its name retired, letting storms beginning with "I" take over sole possession of first place on the retired storms list.

Hurricane Kirk in the Central Atlantic
Hurricane Kirk intensified into a 105 mph Category 2 hurricane this morning, becoming the 2nd strongest hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Gordon was the only stronger storm; Gordon hit sustained winds of 110 mph just before reaching the Azores Islands on August 18. Kirk has probably peaked in intensity, and is about to move over colder waters and gradually decay. Kirk is not a threat to any land areas.

Figure 4. Morning satellite image of Tropical Storm Leslie.

Tropical Storm Leslie a long-range threat to Bermuda, Canada, and the U.S. East Coast
Tropical Storm Leslie formed on Thursday in the Central Atlantic. Leslie's formation date of August 30 puts 2012 in 2nd place for earliest formation date of the season's 12th tropical storm. Only 1995 had an earlier formation date of the season's 12th storm. With records dating back to 1851, this year is only the second time 8 total storms have formed in August. The other year was 2004, when the first storm of the season formed on August 1 (Alex), and the 8th storm (Hermine) formed on August 29th. Satellite loops show that Leslie has a modest amount of heavy thunderstorm activity, and respectable low-level spiral bands and upper-level outflow. Conditions appear ripe to allow Leslie to intensify into a Category 2 hurricane by Sunday. Fortunately, Hurricane Kirk is weakening the ridge of high pressure to the north of Leslie, and Leslie is expected to turn to the northwest and miss the Lesser Antilles Islands. However, steering currents for Leslie are expected to collapse early next week, as Leslie gets stuck between two upper level lows. The storm will then slowly meander over the open ocean for many days, potentially threatening Bermuda. Leslie will stay stuck until a strong trough of low pressure approaches the U.S. East Coast around September 8. This trough should be strong enough to pull Leslie to the north and then northeast by September 9. At that time, Leslie may be close enough to the coast that the storm will make landfall in New England, Canada, or the Mid-Atlantic states. Leslie could also miss land entirely; this all depends upon the timing and strength of the September 8 trough of low pressure. Regardless, Leslie is expected to bring an extended period of high waves to the U.S. coast. According to NOAA's Wavewatch III model, large swells from Leslie will reach Bermuda by Monday, and arrive along the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday. These waves will be capable of creating dangerous rip currents and beach erosion.

Portlight disaster relief charity responds to Issac
The Portlight.org disaster relief charity, founded and staffed by members of the wunderground community, are in Mississippi, helping out with Isaac relief efforts. You can check out their progress or donate to Portlight's disaster relief fund at the portlight.org website.

I'm planning on taking Saturday off, but will have a new post for you on Sunday. Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

Jeff Masters

Hurricane Isaac Louisiana (apphotos)

People play in the storm surge from Hurricane Isaac, on Lakeshore Drive along Lake Pontchartrain, as the storm nears land, in New Orleans, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portlight volunteers at Biloxi shelter (Portlight)

Hurricane Isaac Louisiana (apphotos)

Research students from the the University of Alabama measure wind speeds as Hurricane Isaac makes landfall, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in New Orleans, La. Isaac was packing 80 mph winds, making it a Category 1 hurricane. It came ashore early Tuesday near the mouth of the Mississippi River, driving a wall of water nearly 11 feet high inland and soaking a neck of land that stretches into the Gulf. The storm stalled for several hours before resuming a slow trek inland, and forecasters said that was

TS Isaac (Raine911)

Between the rain bands

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51. LostTomorrows 5:18 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting HurrikanEB: Ouch.. I love that animation, it basically looks as though Kirk got shot in the eye and the bullet came out the other end. Member Since: August 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 520

52. CybrTeddy 5:18 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
You know that's a large hurricane when the storm is by Bermuda yet the closed isobars reach Florida. Wow. Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260

53. opal92nwf 5:23 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
The models at the end of their runs are showing the storm slowing down and stuttering, like "Oh, maybe she isn't going out to sea!" Member Since: May 12, 2012 Posts: 4 Comments: 338

54. aspectre 5:23 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
18 Waltanater inre page1comment7 : Not sure what your point is of your cartoon there... Just tweaking the twits who "The IceAge is coming!!!" Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846

55. Waltanater 5:25 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting aspectre: 18 Waltanater inre page1comment7 : Not sure what your point is of your cartoon there... Just tweaking the twits who "The IceAge is coming!!!" cool, you may be right on that... Member Since: May 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 922

56. weathermanwannabe 5:28 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Thank You Dr. for the great Blog post and enjoyed seeing you on TWC. Enjoy some down time with the Family this weekend. Pretty amazing to have a "L" storm before September 1st and here's hoping that we will not see any more CV storms spin up after Leslie is gone before the action shifts back closer to home. However, another nice looking wave just left the dock: Link Member Since: August 8, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 6702

57. E46Pilot 5:30 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
If the models are showing the storm stalling out, anything the models are showing after the stall out can be thrown out for right now. We have to really watch this one. This reminds me of Andrew unfortunately. Member Since: August 4, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 285

58. Brillig 5:31 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
I was looking at the hurricane maps today, and something struck me abou this one: One of those tracks (seems like it's the one that goes over Texas) looks like it changed from a hurricane to a tropical storm and then back to a hurricane again OVER LAND. What hurricane is this? I'd like to learn more. To make the question more generic, how can I find a hurricane given a track like on this picture? Member Since: June 23, 2006 Posts: 20 Comments: 398

59. E46Pilot 5:31 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Andrew's track. Member Since: August 4, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 285

60. sar2401 5:32 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Grothar: I have to admit, this is quite a bit shift west than the previous run Leslie is surrounded by 20-30 knot wind shear on all sides. It seems like her only escape route is almost directly north, into an area of 5-10 knot shear. If she continues to move west, she has to get through an area of 20-25 knot shear before she could get to the relatively low shear environment of the SE Caribbean. It looks like she will make a turn to north to escape the shear. If she moves further west, she will be getting heavily sheared and also moving into an area of lower TCHP than she's in now. I assume this is playing a part in the NHC's currently thinking, as well as the models. Given the history of this year, who knows, but it still looks like a northerly track and then getting hung up in the doldrums of the central Atlantic. Member Since: October 2, 2004 Posts: 0 Comments: 1988

61. opal92nwf 5:32 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting E46Pilot: If the models are showing the storm stalling out, anything the models are showing after the stall out can be thrown out for right now. We have to really watch this one. This reminds me of Andrew unfortunately. I agree with you Member Since: May 12, 2012 Posts: 4 Comments: 338

62. redwagon 5:34 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting weathermanwannabe: Thank You Dr. for the great Blog post and enjoyed seeing you on TWC. Enjoy some down time with the Family this weekend. Pretty amazing to have a "L" storm before September 1st and here's hoping that we will not see any more CV storms spin up after Leslie is gone before the action shifts back closer to home. However, another nice looking wave just left the dock: Link The monster that's about to exit in three days might get an invest number before splashdown. Member Since: August 4, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1444

63. GTcooliebai 5:34 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Brillig: I was looking at the hurricane maps today, and something struck me abou this one: One of those tracks (seems like it's the one that goes over Texas) looks like it changed from a hurricane to a tropical storm and then back to a hurricane again OVER LAND. What hurricane is this? I'd like to learn more. To make the question more generic, how can I find a hurricane given a track like on this picture? The one that goes to Texas is Ike and there are two others in there that jump out at me. Andrew and Hugo. Member Since: August 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5191

64. muddertracker 5:35 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting E46Pilot: Andrew's track. Definitely. Andrew zigged when he should have zagged, if I remember correctly. Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 2126

65. AtHomeInTX 5:36 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Brillig: I was looking at the hurricane maps today, and something struck me abou this one: One of those tracks (seems like it's the one that goes over Texas) looks like it changed from a hurricane to a tropical storm and then back to a hurricane again OVER LAND. What hurricane is this? I'd like to learn more. To make the question more generic, how can I find a hurricane given a track like on this picture? I don't know how you can find a storm by track. But I think the storm you mention might be the one that went into LA. This is the TX storm. Member Since: August 24, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 3887

66. kwgirl 5:36 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Thanks Doc. Living in the Keys the past 52 years, I have experienced many hurricanes. I used to be terrified of the canes starting with "C" since they all seemed to be very destructive back in the 60's. Now its the I's. How primitive and superstitous we are as a human race. Even with the science and technology we have at our fingertips, we can still attribute evil intentions to a storm. We fear the number or letter 3/9 or C/I. Ridiculous! Hey, maybe I just solved it. 3 and any multiples of it do have evil connotations. LOL Member Since: March 28, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1530

67. opal92nwf 5:36 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting sar2401: Leslie is surrounded by 20-30 knot wind shear on all sides. It seems like her only eacape route is almost directly north, into an area of 5-10 knot shear. If she continues to move west, she has to get through an area of 20-25 knot shear before she could get to the relatively low shear environment of the SE Caribbean. It looks like she will make a turn to north to escape the shear. If she moves further west, she will be getting heavily sheared and also moving into an area of lower TCHP than she's in now. I assume this is playing a part in the NHC's currently thinking, as well as the models. Given the history of this year, who knows, but it still looks like a northerly track and then getting hung up in the doldrums of the central Atlantic. Leslie is not going to go north just to "avoid wind shear." It all depends on the steering currents. I think that the longer she holds a WSW or even slightly south of that course, the more of a chance she will end up farther west. Member Since: May 12, 2012 Posts: 4 Comments: 338

68. ncstorm 5:37 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
12z GFS precip map through 120 hours.. Member Since: August 19, 2006 Posts: 7 Comments: 8462

69. pottery 5:38 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Grothar: I have to admit, this is quite a bit shift west than the previous run And so, it starts again ?? Hope not. But the muddles are sure having a rough time this season, with the Atl. Storms. Member Since: October 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

70. SubtropicalHi 5:38 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Brillig: I was looking at the hurricane maps today, and something struck me abou this one: One of those tracks (seems like it's the one that goes over Texas) looks like it changed from a hurricane to a tropical storm and then back to a hurricane again OVER LAND. What hurricane is this? I'd like to learn more. To make the question more generic, how can I find a hurricane given a track like on this picture? It's the 1900 Galveston hurricane 1900 Galveston Wikipedia Member Since: June 27, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 354

71. Brillig 5:40 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting AtHomeInTX: I don't know how you can find a storm by track. But I think the storm you mention might be the one that went into LA. This is the TX storm. That's the one. Notice how it turns yellow in the NE. Thanks for posting. Member Since: June 23, 2006 Posts: 20 Comments: 398

72. AtHomeInTX 5:41 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Brillig: That's the one. Notice how it turns yellow in the NE. Thanks for posting. You're welcome. Member Since: August 24, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 3887

73. calkevin77 5:41 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting Brillig: I was looking at the hurricane maps today, and something struck me abou this one: One of those tracks (seems like it's the one that goes over Texas) looks like it changed from a hurricane to a tropical storm and then back to a hurricane again OVER LAND. What hurricane is this? I'd like to learn more. To make the question more generic, how can I find a hurricane given a track like on this picture? Hi Brillig. I believe that is the track for the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. I had wondered that too seeing how far inland the intense winds were. Member Since: June 9, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 190

74. wxgeek723 5:42 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting weathermanwannabe: Thank You Dr. for the great Blog post and enjoyed seeing you on TWC. Enjoy some down time with the Family this weekend. Pretty amazing to have a "L" storm before September 1st and here's hoping that we will not see any more CV storms spin up after Leslie is gone before the action shifts back closer to home. However, another nice looking wave just left the dock: Link With the NHC becoming very liberal with names these days I think we should get used to seeing the lists progress this far by late August, and disregard how 'unusual' it is. Member Since: August 28, 2008 Posts: 79 Comments: 2350

75. ncstorm 5:42 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Surfs Up!! Wave Height.. Member Since: August 19, 2006 Posts: 7 Comments: 8462

76. opal92nwf 5:42 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. Member Since: May 12, 2012 Posts: 4 Comments: 338

77. GTcooliebai 5:43 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting AtHomeInTX: I don't know how you can find a storm by track. But I think the storm you mention might be the one that went into LA. This is the TX storm. Thanks AtHome I thought that was Ike. Interesting track by the Galveston Hurricane, indicative of a strong A/B High. Member Since: August 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5191

78. EcoLogic 5:47 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Slightly off topic, but the ecological impacts of weather are of interest to some. Yesterday I reported about the frigate birds that were deposited in Pensacola by Isaac, today a small whale has washed ashore on Pensacola beach. Link Member Since: June 29, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 34

79. NttyGrtty 5:47 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Thanks Jeff. We are not fond of "I" storms either... Member Since: February 11, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 664

80. AtHomeInTX 5:48 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting GTcooliebai: Thanks AtHome I thought that was Ike. Interesting track by the Galveston Hurricane, indicative of a strong A/B High. Oh no problem. Ike was another strange storm to track he made a wsw turn in the middle of the Atlantic and decided he was going thata way. lol Member Since: August 24, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 3887

81. stillwaiting 5:48 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
look at the lack of convection thru out the caribbean! Member Since: October 5, 2007 Posts: 20 Comments: 4970

82. wayfaringstranger 5:48 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: Leslie is not going to go north just to "avoid wind shear." It all depends on the steering currents. I think that the longer she holds a WSW or even slightly south of that course, the more of a chance she will end up farther west. I agree. What influences the track is contingent upon: 1. Will Kirk really weaken the ridge? I am not confident that Kirk will and the models are almost in complete agreement. 2. Timing of the next "opening" in the ridge that is comming across the US. Timing - or in other words you really will not know until your closer to 3/4 days out. The confidence in the track agreement beyond 3/4 days is very low and the variance is like 250+ miles? Member Since: July 12, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 235

83. pottery 5:48 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
What relevance are the Steering Currents, as depicted on the 'steering currents' image ? Looking at them now, one would say "OK, Leslie is going to be steered s/w and west. But the models don't show that. Whats the point of the forecast for steering currents, if they don't steer the system ? Anyone ? I'm confused again... Member Since: October 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

84. SocalVin 5:49 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Amazing. Not to belittle the damage and destruction wrought in LA but after all is said and done the beneficial rains in the D4 areas could actually turn this disaster into an aggregate 'break even' or even small positive overall for the US economy. Member Since: September 5, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4

85. stormwatcherCI 5:50 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting GTcooliebai: Leslie Long Floater - JSL Color Imagery Loop I have the center at 15.6 N 49.7 W Looks about right AND looks like she is going to miss the next forecast point way to the south. I also see no wnw movement at all. Member Since: October 9, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 8040

86. Methurricanes 5:50 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. New Orleans is not the only Town in Louisiana ya know. Member Since: August 1, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 528

87. wayfaringstranger 5:52 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting pottery: What relevance are the Steering Currents, as depicted on the 'steering currents' image ? Looking at them now, one would say "OK, Leslie is going to be steered s/w and west. But the models don't show that. Whats the point of the forecast for steering currents, if they don't steer the system ? Anyone ? I'm confused again... A few years back StormW had a great write up on this and the currents do play a large part but I believe it is the ridge that ultimately determines the track...could be wrong but Levi can probably shed light. Member Since: July 12, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 235

88. victoriahurricane 5:52 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. Tell that to Plaquemines Parish. Member Since: October 16, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 544

89. cyberian 5:53 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. People that lost lives, loved ones, and homes because of Isaac would beg to differ. Member Since: August 11, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 28

90. forecaster1 5:54 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Leslie is going to be a monster storm! Maybe much further west than thought? Tonight will tell if she will miss her train and head to Fl.... Member Since: June 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 37

91. TreasureCoastFl 5:54 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting victoriahurricane: Tell that to Plaquemines Parish. Exactly. it's also not a competition and there were other factors that made Katrina so bad. I think Louisiana was much better prepared this time.. Member Since: August 18, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 444

92. LargoFl 5:54 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. i guess if you were a homeowner who made it thru Katrina ok, and in this storm..has water up to his rooftop..he may just disagree with you on that Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22426

93. AllStar17 5:54 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. This comment has no value. Member Since: June 29, 2009 Posts: 13 Comments: 5135

94. opal92nwf 5:55 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting pottery: What relevance are the Steering Currents, as depicted on the 'steering currents' image ? Looking at them now, one would say "OK, Leslie is going to be steered s/w and west. But the models don't show that. Whats the point of the forecast for steering currents, if they don't steer the system ? Anyone ? I'm confused again... In my earlier comment, I was addressing that a storm doesn't blindly go north or south or east just to "avoid wind shear." I used the phrase "steering currents" generally to describe what is steering the storm ie. the ridge, trough, weakness, etc. Member Since: May 12, 2012 Posts: 4 Comments: 338

95. tornadodude 5:55 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting cyberian: People that lost lives, loved ones, and homes because of Isaac would beg to differ. Still, people die in flash floods, lightning strikes, etc. To compare Isaac to Katrina is absolutely ignorant. 1000+ lives lost in Katrina. Obviously not similar. Member Since: June 28, 2006 Posts: 22 Comments: 7816

96. E46Pilot 5:56 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. I guess you did not see the pics of flooding up to the roof lines and people being rescued out of their attics, like in Katrina? Member Since: August 4, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 285

97. LargoFl 5:56 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting ncstorm: 12z GFS precip map through 120 hours.. farmers out there are probably thanking isaac right now Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22426

98. TreasureCoastFl 5:56 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting tornadodude: Still, people die in flash floods, lightning strikes, etc. To compare Isaac to Katrina is absolutely ignorant. 1000+ lives lost in Katrina. Obviously not similar. It's still not a competition and why on earth should TWC not be talking about the devastation of this storm just because it wasn't "as bad" as Katrina? Member Since: August 18, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 444

99. pottery 5:57 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting wayfaringstranger: A few years back StormW had a great write up on this and the currents do play a large part but I believe it is the ridge that ultimately determines the track...could be wrong but Levi can probably shed light. Thanks for that. In the meantime, one little band from Leslie is producing Torrential rain here (Trinidad) over the Diego Martin valley. That's where 2 lives were lost and people are still cleaning up from the downpour when Ernesto passed through the Islands. The radio is saying that the Deigo Martin river is about to overflow it's banks again. Member Since: October 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 20708

100. wayfaringstranger 5:57 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Not defending Opal but some comments are made in haste and with little thought so try to treat them as such and dont allow it to "push your button".... My prayers are out to those in FL, LA, MS, AL Member Since: July 12, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 235

101. clwstmchasr 5:57 PM GMT on August 31, 2012
Quoting opal92nwf: It has been drugery and embarassement for the Weather Channel to cover Isaac as if it's a Katrina as it makes landfall, but now they are covering it as if the damage is like Katrina's, which is absolutely unbelievably ridiculous!!!! Isaac is "child's play" compared to Katrina or a cat 4 or 5 storm. Save the hype for the real storm TWC!!!! Please tell me if you feel the same anyone out there. There are other ares other than New Orleans. Also, I don't know how many times I heard them say on air, "this is no Katrina". Member Since: July 29, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 2758

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