Irene Pulling Herself Together Nicely

Tropical Storm Irene is passing over Martinique and the Leeward Islands this morning. Beautiful satellite and radar presentation showing a storm that is in the wrapping up phase and developing into what looks like she will be a hurricane. Any other year I'd be sure but there has been a lack of hurricane formation so far... Irene I think is the real thing.

There has been a small slot of dry air on the north side but she seems to be dealing with it well. A high is setting up aloft and that should only add to organization and intensity, especially if she keeps pulling north of track and avoids the larger islands. IF she moves north of the islands and tracks through the really hot water between Florida and Hispaniola then she can and will become a dangerous storm. If she keeps tracking north of forecasted points the Carolinas will want to watch her carefully. If she sticks with the program and moves more west (vs reforming...saying that while rolling my eyes) then the Gulf needs to watch her.

The truth is it is simply too soon to tell exactly what she will do and how strong she will be. There are so many factors. Keep watching, stock up on anything you need and Monday might be a good day to make sure you have your medication refilled if there is anything you need to have handy... just in case. Best case scenario, she slides by Florida just off shore and catches a cold front out to sea but it's August and cold fronts can be fickle... we learned that in 1992 from Andrew which was just about this time of year so hope for the best, prepare for the worst and keep checking back to see what is going on with Irene.

Again if you live in the 5 day Cone below, now might be a good time to support economic growth and go shopping in basics that are on sale this weekend somewhere at a Walgreens or Walmart near you!



Now is the time to make a plan. Party when the storm misses you but if it hits, you'll be glad you had a Plan A and a Plan B. Plan C of course is watching her fall apart of miss your town, but it's very possible that this storm is going to make landfall along the hurricane coast.

Besos Bobbi
Ps it looks like an eye above but the aircraft did not find one... yet, keep watching.