Erika

[Bajansailor]

No, not the lady from Baywatch, but Tropical Storm Erika who is just north of us - this is what she looks like on the Intellicast weather map -

I hope that the Rum Pirate still has his boat ashore, as she looks like she might be paying him a visit soon.

This photo was taken from the Caribbean map at http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/CaribbeanSatellite.aspx
The Intellicast Atlantic map is also good for keeping an eye on Erika and her friends -
http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/AtlanticSatellite.aspx

No wind on the east coast here, but its been blowing out of the west last night, and the normally placid west coast is pretty choppy, with at least a couple of fishing boats coming ashore. Our boat is still on her mooring ok, phew!

 

[TQA]

Just what I need as I am heading down to Tortola to look at a few boats this week.

 

[Bajansailor]

I hope all goes well re your boat hunting visit to Tortola, and it doesn't blow too much of a hoolie. I did the same as you last summer, looking for a boat on behalf of a friend, and we found a very nice Jeanneau SO 40 for a very reasonable price (she was ex TMM).

The Hurricane Watch Net is good for tracking these storms - and although the predicted track is almost over the BVIs, Erika should remain a storm rather than a hurricane (and they are normally pretty accurate with these prediction models).
Have a look at http://www.hwn.org/home/atlantic.html and click on 'Erika' and then 'Graphics' for predicted track.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

My boat is on the hard.

Have a a look at a http://www.stormpulse.com/

We will get some rain but not too much wind (I hope and pray).



http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=142066

 

[Rum_Pirate]

No wind on the east coast here, but its been blowing out of the west last night, and the normally placid west coast is pretty choppy, with at least a couple of fishing boats coming ashore. Our boat is still on her mooring ok, phew!

With the light winds I have seen on Wind Guru

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=206937


I am very suprised that any boats came ashore.

They must have very badly moored/anchored.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Oh Oh.

Storm Pulse now shows the centre going right over us tomorrow morning with winds of 39 to 57 mph.

 

[Dyflin]

Saw the title but,

I was thinking of a different girl...

 

[michael_w]

Looks like Antigua's going to cop it too.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

The winds are 40 mph at centre so it should not be too much as the tropical force winds are on the north side.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

"Will Erika make it? Will it be able to stand up against the harsh upper level southwesterly shear?

As of right now, it's losing the battle.

Tropical Storm Erika is a VERY poorly organized system.
Earlier today, Hurricane Hunters had a very difficult time in even locating the low-level circulation.

The southwesterly shear aids in inhibiting thunderstorm activity. It acts to blow thunderstorm tops away from the low and mid level center of circulation. A tropical cyclone needs persistent thunderstorm activity for it to thrive and organize. Otherwise, it is left in a poor state of affairs."

Thankfully!