Hurricane FELIX: Caribbean-Discussions

[Derek Ortt]

it must have been REALLY bad for NOAA 42

I felw into Rita on 43 on Sept 22, 2005 and the flight was smooth. The day before, there was severe turbulence, people were about to vomit from what I was told, but the RAINEX mission was able to be completed

[MGC]

When was the last recon flight aborted due to extreme turbulence? Hugo?....MGC

[jaxfladude]

IS THE RECON CREW SAFE??
PRAYERS FOR THEM IN ANY CASE!!

I'd say that they are safe, I think they turned around due to the extreme conditions, that's all, espically since i believe we are still getting recon data.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS....

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

We don't have a good handle on how strong this thing is. We have surface wind data easly supporting higher...The nhc also says at least 145 knots. I hope we can get another recon into the storm soon.

[jhamps10]

We don't have a good handle on how strong this thing is. We have surface wind data easly supporting higher...The nhc also says at least 145 knots. I hope we can get another recon into the storm soon.

I think the next flight is supposed to take off sometime later this evening, it may be the NOAA g4 flight, but I think AF still has another flight planned tonight, however this may change due to the extreme conditions.

Personally I'd go closer to 150 kts right now.

[Derek Ortt]

Matt... I'd rather have the recon crews safe than know how strong this is over the open ocean... a little prespective please

[sponger]

Looks better than any storm we have seen in awhile. Definately reminicent of Andrew. Imagine sitting ther watching that buzz saw come at you.

[CrazyC83]

We don't have a good handle on how strong this thing is. We have surface wind data easly supporting higher...The nhc also says at least 145 knots. I hope we can get another recon into the storm soon.

I think the next flight is supposed to take off sometime later this evening, it may be the NOAA g4 flight, but I think AF still has another flight planned tonight, however this may change due to the extreme conditions.

Personally I'd go closer to 150 kts right now.

Would it work if they flew their next mission at, say, 600mb instead of 700mb?

Me too and I'd drop the pressure - 925mb seems correct at the rate of intensification.

[GeneratorPower]

We don't have a good handle on how strong this thing is. We have surface wind data easly supporting higher...The nhc also says at least 145 knots. I hope we can get another recon into the storm soon.

Yes we do. Very strong. CAT 5 and a half (5.5).

[jhamps10]

The red keeps expanding!


most recent sat image.

[fasterdisaster]

Absolute monster...very reminiscent to me of Ivan and how quickly it intensified.

[southerngale]

And even more red 30 minutes later...

[Somba48]

They must have really gotten pounded in rapidly intensifying Felix the Cat 5. Good to get out of there. I was on the P3 in a weaker cane and popping bonnie like M&Ms. It is really a rough ride. The equipment is bolted to the floor and then has chains on it in case the bolts fail. I saw the chains tighten up a few times on our mission.

[jhamps10]

This from Derek Ortt, and very scary:

Felix has exploded into a strong category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of at least 175 mph and is heading toward northern Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. Felix is expected to arrive on Tuesday morning. While fluctuations in intensity are expected before landfall or closest approach, Felix is likely to strike as a category 4 or 5 hurricane.

In addition, Felix has grown in size and is bringing heavy rainfall to both Columbia and Haiti. Local accumulations of 3-5 inches can be expected in these areas tonight. The outer rainbands are also expected to spread over Jamaica where 5-7 inches of rain may occur in the mountains.

It is essential to comply with any and all advice given by local military and emergency management officials in order to prevent this from becoming an even more catastrophic situation.

[Steve]

The Atlantic Basin sure has had its share of IH's during this warming cycle. It's uncanny the number of majors and Cat 5's at that.

Steve

[fasterdisaster]

Everyone ready to hear constantly from the Weather Channel *FELIX THE CAT...(then insert its Category on the SS scale)*

[jhamps10]

Everyone ready to hear constantly from the Weather Channel *FELIX THE CAT...(then insert its Category on the SS scale)*

They already have the satellite on during all on-air segments.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Matt... I'd rather have the recon crews safe than know how strong this is over the open ocean... a little prespective please

I agree with you derek. I would rather they be safe. But this thing could reach Glibert and Allen like winds.

[MGC]

This from the 8pm special discussion:

"A dropsonde released in the southwest quadrant landed in the northeast quadrant."

Wow.....MGC

[CrazyC83]

Felix the Cat has just gone mad to the extreme...