Weather Channel discussion of Katrina re: NO, etc...

[steve2470]

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=tabset

Hurricane watches now posted

2:58 p.m. ET 8/27/2005
J. Erdman, Sr. Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

Now a powerful Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, Hurricane Katrina has begun to make a deliberate, gradual turn to the west-northwest expected today. Based on this trend of turning toward the Gulf Coast, hurricane watches have now been hoisted from Morgan City, La., to the mouth of the Pearl River (the Louisiana/Mississippi border). This includes the city of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.

From this point on through landfall, Hurricane Katrina will continue to turn, first toward the west-northwest Saturday, then to the northwest on Sunday, then finally toward the north before landfall sometime Monday. While the precise landfall point remains uncertain at this early time, folks from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle need to make preparations at this time for a potential landfall.

Hurricane Katrina is in a region of light wind shear, and is therefore anticipated to gather further strength, possibly reaching a strong Category 4 storm prior to landfall.

The Air Force Reserve Reconnaissance Hurricane Hunters made some interesting observations Saturday morning. Just before 5 a.m., small hail was observed in the southeast quadrant at a height of roughly 8000-9000 feet. Around 11 a.m. EDT, concentric eyewalls (meaning two of them, one inside another) were witnessed.

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[geomon666]

1. Hail?

In a warm weathered tropical hurricane? :wtf:

[steve2470]

2. Sometimes those thunderheads get up to 60k feet

So, yes, I could believe hail. It would just melt before it hit the ground. It was also probably very small hail.

[geomon666]

3. Hurricanes are a lot different than a normal thunderstorm

Then again the hurricane hunter wasn't on the ocean surface watching hail fall down.

[steve2470]

5. Yes I know, but the highest clouds are still very high nt

[fishnfla]

4. The discussions at NOAA are interesting

They ahve been consistently pointing out that upper level winds do not equal pressure readings (winds lower than normal)

let this thing get all worked up over water, and fizzle coming ashore, like Dennis.

also the longer it stays off, the greater the chance for shear.

as it is, an 18 foot tidal surge @ minus 13 feet below sea level.... well shit