Praying for New Orleans

Good evening all -Central pressure in Gustav was dropping today (indicating restrengthening) but it looks like the drop has leveled off a bit. And there is some evidence of a warming near the center (the eye). There is also some dry air being pulled in.

In any event, it is still a major hurricane (Category 3) and it bears repeating that Katrina was a high end Category 3 and Rita was a high end Category 2 (I'm talking about at landfall). Another tricky thing is that storms go through fluctuations in intensity and through eyewall replacement cycles. And I sure hope we don't get some sort of surprise from this one as it makes landfall early afternoon on Monday.

Of course, the first big scare is for New Orleans. With the hurricane force winds now out 70 miles from the center, there is going to be a pretty mean storm surge affecting New Orleans and it will be happening early in the day on Monday. Everyone should be praying for these folks. The actual center landfall will probably be about 40 to 60 miles west of there.What happens after that?

Well, I think the storm is going to slow down and produce a lot of rain as it tracks northwestward...probably into Texas. Remember that inland flooding has been the biggest killer from many of the most recent decades storms.

Went to the grocery store this evening. Folks are paying attention...almost all cleaned out on the water. Pats on the backs all around. Remember, you can use all kinds of containers to store up that water. I'll try to post frequently until this is over.

In the meantime, start your Christmas shopping early by going to www.frankandpaco.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy.com, or Barnes & Noble.com and purchase my award winning DVD for children called Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Early language learning enhances cognitive development and improves standardized scores in math and science. We have to cultivate our next hurricane trackers/forecasters now!

Be safe everyone.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman