How are we doing with Ike?

Good evening all -
First of all, if you want to help the poor folks in Haiti who have had torrential rain (this time from Ike), please check out the following Lambi Fund of Haiti . Dr. Jeff Masters has a great blog on the Weather Underground said this is a good way to help.

Still have a wide range in the model runs but as I've mentioned before GFDL has been one of my favorites. Just looking at the top model runs vs. actual track, it looks like GFDL has been closest in recent days. But, it was well to the south early on. And, I would also point out that the GFDL has made some fairly big changes in the past few days on the long term part of its forecast.

Much more Monday am.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

2 pm Ike Model Update

Just to let you know, a few of the models are splitting the storm path and tracking it off to the north...i.e. not tracking the storm toward the western Gulf. Obviously, this far out, there will lots of changes from run to run. Still have plenty of models tracking westward.

More to come!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

WARNING - Time for Houston to Prepare for Ike

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Okay...remember that trough I said would probably steer Ike north. Looks like it won't deliver.

Bottom line...we could have a hurricane hitting Texas next Saturday.

We needed that trough and secondary frontal system to steer it away and it looks like neither one is going to help us out.

Of course a lot can happen in five days or more...but please consider this your advance warning and start making plans. It is also likely that Ike will be a major hurricane as it approaches the western Gulf.

So, right now, you should use today to beef up supplies, think about protecting your home and consider your plans of staying or going. One respondent to my blog already made reservations in Austin and said that the hotel was already booking up. If you plan to leave and you have a pet, what would you do...if you want to leave them in a kennel, make sure it is in a safe area (maybe on your way to wherever you plan to go).

Now remember, that by mid-week if the storm is looking like it will hit us...the rule of thumb is run from the water and hide from the wind. Those of us inland (unless we are caring for someone who has to leave) must be prepared to stay and ride it out.

Keep you gas tanks full, get some extra cash and check out your prescription supplies.

I'll be giving more tips in the days ahead.

It is going to get back to hot and sticky this week. You will definitely know it is still summer.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
It seems appropriate to do huracán, pronounced oo-rah-con (like a con job). In case you didn't guess, this means hurricane. Now you can speak about dangerous storms in 2 languages.

Speaking of language learning, a study in Louisiana of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders who had 30 minutes of foreign language education every day, had significantly higher scores on the 1985 Basic Skills Language Arts Test than did a similar groupd that did not study a foreign language. Further by fith grade, the math scores of language students were also higher than those of students not studying a foreign language.

This came from Rafferty, E.A. (1986). Second language study and basic skills in Louisiana. U.S.; Louisiana, from ERIC database.

Before the Christmas shopping rush, you can order my award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco from from http://www.frankandpaco.com, Ventura's Educational Supply, Dolo Publications, Carlex Inc., The Curious Mind Store, amazon.com, bestbuy.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

AND MORE
I just had to share my big coup of Saturday...although I want to apologize for not telling you all about this on Friday. I was waiting to see it for myself. My girlfriend, Gloria, gave me a tip that the Talbots for Kids was closing. Sorry folks, Saturday was the last day. But I picked up a boy's christening gown for my nephew for $8.75. Unbelievable...and it is really nice! I won't tell you what I payed for Sarah's. If anyone knows of any great deals like this, pass it along, and I'll let everyone know.

Well, happy shopping and have a nice (but productive) Sunday. Be safe everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman