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- Updates from the Islands -- - Tortola & Virgin Gorda (BVI) - - |
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| - Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous |
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The sun is out, the sky is blue, the water is crystal clear. Nights are still a tad cool but the days are long and warm. Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By TortolaPrivateChef.Com |
| - Surfer in the Mailbag |
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Hello dearmissmermaid. I am a surfer, and i would like to know how are the waves for surfing this week, because i am going to Tortola next Thursday, March 28 and i would like to know if i should take my bodyboard with me. Signed, BodyBoard Surfer Dude Hey dude, I have good news and bad news! The North shore was flat as a mirror today. However, we ARE expecting a northerly swell next week which might bring you some good surfing. Don't worry about the board, you can rent one at BoardSailingBVI. Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Surfer Chick |
| - The Vernal Equinox & the Easter Bunny |
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The sun crosses directly over the equator today at 3:16pm Atlantic Standard Time and SPRING officially begins! Yahoo! Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the date of the vernal equinox. The full moon is March 28th and Easter is March 31st this year. If you aren't already in the beautiful British Virgin Islands, then you should be! Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Stay at the Beach! |
| - Weather & Mail |
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It is 75 degrees with balmy trade winds of 10-15 knots. Scattered showers are expected, many lasting only 3-5 minutes. Now, we have news from the mailbag: I'm traveling to Tortola in April and I was wondering, is there anywhere else on the island to obtain "shroom tea" besides Bomba's Full Moon Party? I'm a little afraid to try and pick my own, for fear I'll eat the wrong kind! Signed, Wanna See Colors Bomba's is the only place to get the famous 'shroom tea. However you can pick your own, try looking in the Sage Mountain Mini Rain Forest. The 'shrooms have a dark stripe around the stem. You can take your pickings to Bomba himself and he will identify them for you. Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Smuggler's Cove beach on a nude day |
| - Weather Facts & Fiction |
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From the mailbag: I am planning a vacation to Tortola for June 15th-22nd, and I am worried about the weather. I know that hurricane season starts in June, but what do you think the odds are that my vacation will be ruined? Is it typical to get a weeks worth of rain in the middle of June? Just wondering if you can help, and offer any interesting facts or advice about the island. Much appreciated! Signed Anxious Dear Anxious, June is slated to be beautiful this year. No need to worry about the weather. Indeed, the official hurricane season starts in June, but so does summer and we survive every year anyhow. I think the odds of your vacation being ruined, are about one in a million. It is not at all typical to get a week's worth of rain in June. What is typical in June is an occasional 3-5 minute shower. It blows up quick and leaves suddenly, then the sun is back out. The most interesting facts or advice I can give you about the island is to go meet Bob at the Smuggler's Cove Beach Honor Bar. That's the place with the Queen's Lincoln parked in it. Should we have a hurricane scare during your visit (extremely highly unlikely, as in almost never) then you have two choices. Hop on the next plane and leave or stay and see if the hurricane really comes. We are world renown for the best hurricane parties. You can have your own or you can see all your neighbors and friends in the liquor aisles of the stores just before one, and found out where the best are. Once there, if the hurricane really arrives, (often they go off course) then you have to stay and party until the hurricane is over. Next from the mailbag: The forecast from Sunday the 17th of March through next week looks stormy. We're coming in from NY - should we bring foul weather gear? Not sure what to expect. Any thoughts that you can provide will be much appreciated. Signed Fashion Conscious Well, not sure where you got your forecast, but my crystal ball begs to differ. We are not all expecting any storms next week. My crystal ball predicts the typical scattered fast moving clouds that bring the quick rain showers on occasionally. Could be one a day could be none, could be several a a day. Depends on what part of the island you are on at the time. They last 3-5 minutes, once in a great while as long as ten minutes. As for foul weather gear, depends on how much sailing you plan to be doing. One foul weather jacket is nice for the helmsman IF the shower should last more than just a few minutes, but highly unlikely. Most times by the time you fumble around and get the foul weather gear on, the sun is out again. If you are on shore, do as the locals do which is to do nothing when it rains. Stay put if in dry shelter, if not find some, preferable with a bar. Enjoy. Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Smuggler's Cove Beach |
| - Weather Report and Answers to your Email |
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We've had a bit of a cold front which has made for some chilly nights in the high 60's. Miss Mermaid often finds it necessary to use two blankets to keep her tail warm! We have enjoyed the usual scattered showers, that last 3-5 minutes and make our island green. Day time highs are in the mid 70's with balmy trade winds at 10-20 miles per hour. The north swells have produced some great surfing on some of the North side beaches. Readers have sent in a variety of questions and Miss Mermaid answers them here for all to enjoy. What is the proper pronounciation of Jost Van Dyke? Yost Van Dike is the proper pronounciation, or I prefer Yost Van YIKES! and my friend calls it Goats Van Dyke. THe Y is correct, it rolls off your tongue with just a hint of a J. How do you pronouce Cay? All the Cays here are pronouced like Keys. Is Roadtown the main town on Tortolla? Yes. Tortola is spelled with one L and Road Town is two words. Is liming something in my drink? Limin' means to laze about or go out on the town. Any pointers to understanding the local lingo? H's are usually silent in the West Indies, so you have One, Two, TREE (3) and anthrax in the BVI is called AmTrax (no kidding, they ignore the H and add the M. When you arrive you say "I reach, mon" if you are shopping the clerk may ask "You gettin true?" which means "are you finding your stuff or do you need help?" The H is silent in THROUGH so it sounds like TRUE. If you plan to come back soon, you say "I go to come back, mon". This can mean 10 minutes, 10 hours or 10 years. There are no rocks or stones in the islands, only stone-rock. The colorful mushrooms grown in the mountains are called 'shrooms. Sandals are called "slippers". The electric power is referred to as "da current". A cheery Good Morning or Good Afternoon is always welcomed and expected. Good night means hello not good bye. Tortolains never say good bye, cause they gone to come back. Keep that email coming! Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Smuggler's Cove Beach |
| - sunny skies are here again! |
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Cool at night, warm by day, breezy winds to sail by, this is paradise. If you aren't already here, start making plans to come now! Lows in the high 60's and highs in the low 80's Monday the 4th of March is a local holiday! Only in the islands do we take so many... Just remember, if you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen! Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By ReservationsBVI.com |
| - Surfers, come on down! |
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The surf is UP, the moon is bright and the swells are big, it's a surfers paradise! Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Smuggler's View Beach Villa Availability Calendar |
| - Day for Hiking |
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It is 77 degrees today and a bit cloudy with light winds, a great day to hike around Sage Mountain which is like a mini Rain Forest. Your Correspondent DearMissMermaid AT aol.com This Report Sponsored By Smuggler's View Vacation Villa, in the Beautiful British Virgin Islands |
| - Surf is Up |
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It is a cool 74 degrees this morning on Tortola, but it will warm up as the sun comes up. Trades winds are balmy at around 10mph. If you aren't here, you should be, no humidity, crystal clear waters, it is life in paradise! Check out the Surfer Chick at Bomba's. Your Correspondent |
| - No Snow here! |
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Brrrrrrr. Snowing in South Carolina and 38 degrees in southern Florida!
We are enjoying balmy trade winds and sunny days at the beach. If you aren't here, you should be and air fare deals are HOT these days. Check them out and come on down for some of this great weather! Your Correspondent
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| - Full Moon |
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Today is the last Full Moon this year. Bomba is geared up for his Fool Moon Party tonight.
The winds are breezy, the weather warm by day but cool at night. An air conditioning Smuggler's View Beach Villa Availability Calendar salesman could starve here! Happy Fool Moon! Your Correspondent
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| - Oops, wrong page! |
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The weather in Afghanistan tomorrow is expected to be sunny in the morning
with increasing mushroom clouds in the afternoon. The temperature looks to be a moderate 2000 degrees with cool winds upwards of around 700 miles per hour. It will definitely be a day for the sunblock, and it wouldn't hurt to shake the dust off the ol' lead suit in the closet. If you're planning on venturing outside in beautiful Afghanistan tomorrow, don't forget to drink plenty of fluids such as barium which shows up nicely when blasts of radiation flow through your body. Most of all, have fun out there in dusty Afghanistan and enjoy the old country while........well, while it's still there. Your Correspondent
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| - From the mailbag |
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I saw your postings on stormcarib.com and thought I'd see if you had any
local reports on the weather for Peter Island/Tortola for the coming week. We're flying down there tomorrow and the reports on weather.com are saying its going to rain all week. :( Did we pick a bad time of the year to travel down there? We're afraid its going rain every day and ruin our trip. Well, shame on the weather report you read! It must be in error. Sure, it can rain everyday, but usually you are limited to 5-10 minute showers, certainly nothing like all week and no where close to ruining your trip. As for picking a bad time of year, generally it is gorgeous here year round, I can't imagine a bad week at all. I have to admit that yesterday it drizzled rain on and off for a whole day and this is MOST unusual. The nice thing is if you don't like the weather at Peter Island, you can hop on the free ferry to Tortola. Today is it sunny and clear with gentle breezes, a great day for limin'. Your Correspondent
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| - the heavens are draining on us |
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Yesterday and today is has been drizzling rain off and on. Today it is more on than off. Temperatures are in the low 80's with balmy trade winds. Nights get down to a chilling high 70's.
Miss Mermaid has to use a blanket, just to stay warm at night! Your Correspondent
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| - The long and Winding Road... |
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Rather cool this morning in the low 70's with light scattered showers and some thunder. Former hurricane Olga meanders down a twisting road, there to taunt us. Not a threat to us, but we do wish she would just go away.
Your Correspondent
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| - Mother Nature needs a calendar! |
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Hurricane season is officially over, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature. Hopefully Olga, who has been downgraded to a tropical depression will cease and desist soon!
Folks on Tortola are moving at a rather slow rate after last night's Fool Moon Party. Your Correspondent
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| - Olga is meandering south west! |
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This is crazy! Olga is started in the North Atlantic and is moving south west! She is now due north of the Virgin Islands. She shouldn't pose a threat to us, but with hurricanes you never know.
Tonight is the full moon. Temperatures are nice and balmy here, cool at night, at least for me, but my blood is thin, I am told. Even now, as I type this barefoot, my feet feel chilly. Too funny, but it IS only 75 degrees this morning. No wonder I had to sleep under a comforter. Not much breeze today but the North swells are crashing at the beach rather noisily. Great day for the surfers! Your Correspondent
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| - Once In A Blue Moon |
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Tomorrow the 30th is not only a full moon but a blue moon as well! The Bomba Shack is having their world famous Fool Moon Party and everyone is going to wear blue only. Any leftover blue makeup from Hallowe'en is sure to be pressed into service now. There will be delicious bar-b-q and mushroom tea plus a couple of bands.
The weather is expected to be clear with some large ocean swells rolling in, something to make the surfers by day, very happy. Hurricane Olga continues to wobble far north of us and isn't a threat, just a pest. Though if you are sailing at sea in the vicinity of Olga, heaven help you, I hope you have plenty of clean underwear stashed. Your Correspondent
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| - Olga Come Lately |
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Hurricane Olga has made a very untimely appearance, like the bella of the ball who arrives fashionably late.
She isn't a threat to the beautiful Virgin Islands, but we have had great waves and good surfing lately. Yesterday, it actually clouded over and rained for nearly 12 minutes, kissing the island and leaving everything bright and shiny. Come on down and enjoy our piece of paradise. Your Correspondent
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| - One Last Storm Before The Fat Lady Sings |
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5 AM AST SUN NOV 25 2001
...SUBTROPICAL STORM TWO BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC WELL EAST OF BERMUDA... ADVISORIES ARE BEING ISSUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF WARNING SHIPS AT SEA OF THE THREAT OF STRONG WINDS NEAR THE CENTER OF THIS LARGE STORM. AT 5 AM AST...0900Z...THE CENTER OF SUBTROPICAL STORM TWO WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 32.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE 52.3 WEST OR ABOUT 740 MILES...1190 KM...EAST OF BERMUDA. THE STORM IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 16 MPH ...26 KM/HR...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE WEST WITH A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY TONIGHT. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 60 MPH... 95 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. WINDS OF 40 MPH EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 635 MILES...1000 KM...MAINLY NORTH OF THE CENTER. THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 990 MB...29.23 INCHES. DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS ALONG WITH LARGE BATTERING WAVES MAY BEGIN TO AFFECT BERMUDA LATER TODAY. Your Correspondent
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| - Watch out for Meteor Showers! |
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Between 5-7am tomorrow, on Sunday morning (Atlantic Standard Time) you may be able to see the spectacular Leonid Meteor Shower.
Today on Tortola, the surf continues to still be up some and the surfers are quite happy. The sky is a beautiful blue today with virtually no clouds at all. Temperature is a cool 78 degrees today. Your Correspondent
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| - Off to the beach! |
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Highs in s the low 80's and low in the high 70's. Sunrise in the morning and sunset at dark thirty. I am off to the beach, will report back later.
Here's a gorgeous picture.
Your Correspondent
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| - Floating on Clouds |
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84 degrees in Tortola today but the nights are cooling off to the mid seventies. Breezes are 10-15 knots from the East. Scattered showers of 4-8 minutes are expected. The temporary mosquito problem seems to have completely abated and we are ALL very happy to say bye-bye to the little pesky pests.
The rains that brought so much greenery to the island also made for prime breeding of mosquitos. The government even became fed up with the situation and fogged us out, brother, talk about a cloud! I couldn't see to the end of the driveway, it was so thick. My cats who are usually fearless, ran for cover and gave me anxious looks. The stuff just wafted in the house, as if we were floating on clouds. Weather Picture for Today November 14, 2001
Your Correspondent
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| - Mail Bag Answers |
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From the mailbag:
When does Hurricane season end and what can we expect during the 1st week of December? Will we still be in hurricane season? How often will the be damage to the BVI ? Do hurricanes have a general course in the islands? If a hurricane were to occur, what would our ship do? Officially the hurricane season ends November 30th, however, storms have occurred past this time limit. (Mother nature uses a different calendar.) The BVI is rarely ever damaged by hurricanes, we seem to be very lucky. Hurricanes have no general course in the islands. If they did, then we wouldn't need a zillion meteorologists trying to guess which way it might go next. IF a hurricane threat were to occur and your captain is a prudent sane man (Ha!) he would divert course to drop all the passengers ashore, preferably into hurricane resistant hotels or shelters, then he would secure his ship the best he could, while silently praying for deliverance (proving once and for all, there are no atheists at sea.) Next question; Do you have any recommendations of what to see and do on the island? The group age is 24-45. All are very active during the day and like to party. It's always best to get recommendations from a local. Lucky for you our bars are open day and night and the islanders LOVE a good party. If the party ain't happening, then get it going and soon there will be a crowd. During the day, watersports are the number one choice for fine entertainment. Hiking is also a great way to discover all the nifty plants and wild things on the islands. Next Question; Can you tell me what the forecast is for November 3-10? By all means! Look for my report on the 11th! Next question; thought that I would take the opportunity to see if a friendly local with far superior BVI knowledge could recommend some fun bars to visit or to let us know whether there are any events happening during our two weeks which we should not miss. ALL our bars are fun places and if they aren't we run 'em out of business! Pick up the local free copies of the LIMIN' TIMES (weekly events) and WELCOME magazine (seasonal events). My favorite bar is Bob's Honor Bar at Smuggler's Cove Beach, while it IS a self-serve laid back bar, (and yes tipping is allowed!) it's a great place to start your own private party and if you're lucky, Bob himself will make a cameo appearance. Anything nice going on Saturdays? Seven days a week, the bars are open, the parties are happening. If you ain't have fun, drink more rum! Keep those letters coming and REMEMBER if you are going to lay on the beach all day drinking rum, you have to start in the morning! Your Correspondent
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| - Cool Times |
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Wow, it's a cool 77 degrees here on Tortola, Miss Mermaid is already using a cotton afghan to keep her tail warm at night.
Skies are a tad cloudy, very rare for here. Winds are light at about 10 knots. Tortola is quite beautiful these days, the scattered showers have done our gardens justice. Remember, don't sweat the small stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff. Your Correspondent
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| - DearMissMermaid rides the waves! |
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A tropical wave has been passing over the islands bringing scattered showers and great surfing. The nights are cool, the days are warm, the tradewinds are gentle.
Your Correspondent
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| - Big Surf and Cool Nights |
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Hurricane Mitchelle is not a threat to the beautiful BVI. But we have great northerly swells this week that are making the surfers immensely happy. About 30 surfers were at Bomba's today and the waves were BIG.
Temperatures are getting a bit cooler at night, like below 80 degrees. Miss Mermaid has to sleep under an afghan now to keep her tail warm. Your Correspondent
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| - Surf's Up! |
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The best surfing can be found on Tortola today and for the next few days.
Your Correspondent
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| - The Fool Moon |
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Tonight is the full moon.
Bomba Shack is having a Fool Moon Party where special 'shroom tea is served. There is a bumper crop of 'shrooms on the island, due to the recent scattered rains, which turned everything green and fertilized the little fungi. I was in Road Town today (Thursday) and it was as busy as a Friday. I asked someone if Friday was a holiday, and they said NO, but tonight is the fool moon party, so lots of folks won't make it to work tomorrow, as it will be far too colorful to notice. I stopped at a small grocery store on the way home, and there were a crowd of folks around a display, talking excitedly, so I stole a peak at the commotion and they were admiring the 'shrooms which were selling rapidly. First time I ever seen dem at de store! Guess the bumper crop is everywhere. Your Correspondent
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| - Answers to All your Questions |
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I received an email to dust off my crystal ball and predict the weather for November 3rd-10th.
What I see is temperatures in the low 80's with low humidity, trade winds will be balmy around 15 knots, sunrise will be in the morning and sunset will be in the evening. The water will be wet and crystal clear. A few scattered showers lasting 3-6 minutes will be typical and welcomed. Now, for the group of 24 heading here on November 14th, rest assured we have notified all the bars to stock up on extra, EXTRA rum as we don't plan to let you drink us dry though we know you are gonna try! For the group of 24 Scandinavian ladies arriving November 3rd, heaven help us, we understand you will be doing exercises on the beaches and rest assured, you will have a large interested audience. Many men have already volunteered their services to "help" you exercise, so rest assured, you will not be alone where ever you go. Whether Picture for Today October 31, 2001
Your Correspondent
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| - Altercations |
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Today is a gorgeous day to be in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. It's a mere 80 degrees with light trade winds and a few scattered clouds. A picture perfect day for a wedding.
If you are planning to get married in the BVI, remember to have your wedding dress made slightly loose if you are traveling from another area. Everyone complains that being in the tropics seems to instantly add a half inch or so to all your measurements, no matter what. It has to do with the local atmospheric conditions and basically this is beyond your control. I received a frantic call late last night from a nervous bride to be who wanted to know if anyone could do emergency wedding altercations for her. Ah, the things Miss Mermaid must handle. Visit the Weather Picture for Today
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| - High Tides and High Times |
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Today it is 82 degrees with balmy breezes wafting across the island against a bright blue sky with scattered puffy clouds.
We have high tide and low tide every day. High tide is sometimes almost a foot higher than low tide, which is sometimes almost a foot lower. Most times you can't tell much of a difference except around a full moon we seem to get a high-high tide. Many folks go to Bomba's for the magic mushrooms on the full moon. They get high-high time. Your Correspondent
ReservationsBVI.com |
| - A lovely day to lay on the beach and sip rum... |
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It's a cool 81 degrees here, light winds, sunny skies, scattered clouds. Tortola is very green from all the rain showers!
But you can't lay on the beach all day sipping rum, if you don't start in the morning. Your Correspondent
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| - All Over Tans |
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For the next few days you can expect sunny days with quick rain showers of 5-10 minutes. This is a great time to work on your tan and use the rain to cool you off or give you a fresh water rinse after a swim in the Caribbean Sea.
Someone took this picture of me today, just limin' in a shady hammock and OOPS I didn't have a thing on, but I hope you enjoy the picture anyhow. Dear Miss Mermaid In The Hammock
Your Correspondent
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| - Never felt a thing! |
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We had a few small earthquakes last Monday, according to the Puerto Rico observatory. I never felt a thing, so they couldn't have been too bad. My crystal ball is safe and sound so we are OK.
Today it is 83 degrees and breezy. We had a good rain for all of 7 minutes, enough to give everything a quick bath. Tortola is looking so green and pretty. If you don't hurry up and book a trip here, your eyes will be green with envy as all your friends come on down and have a blast! Warm & Sunny Regards,
This Report Sponsored by TortolaPrivateChef.Com |
| - The Crystal Ball Shows... |
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Today it is 84 degrees in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. Tomorrow the sun will be up at 6:15am and it will set at dark thirty.
A couple of tropical waves are heading our way and might bring some scattered showers later in the week, but I don't think we will have any day long downpours, certainly not like last week when God drained his almighty bathtub. If you are coming to the BVI, remember to pack half the clothes and twice the money. Far more fun this way! Warm & Sunny Regards,
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| - Sunshine and Escargot in West End, Tortola |
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The sun is out, the water is wet, the breezes are balmy. Trees are green, flowers are blooming, cisterns are full. Welcome to Tortola!
Wet End has reverted back to its former name, West End. Even though the S in West End washed out to sea the other day, we are fortunate that some snails found our S and brought it back to the cargo dock. So I guess you could say we had S-Cargo by Escargot... The weather today is picture perfect. It was picture perfect last week, when DearMissMermaid swam to the beach and took this gorgeous photograph at Smuggler's Cove Beach Click on the picture link and please try not to drool all over the computer. Warm & Sunny Regards,
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| - Mermaid to the rescue! |
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This report is being brought to you LIVE from WET END, Tortola. That's right. It has rained SO much the past few days, that the S in WEST END washed out to sea!
West End has been forever changed to Wet End, Tortola. Furthermore, your old familiar correspondent, (aSail4u AT aol.com) had a terrible flood! Fortunately, a mermaid came to the rescue. So now, forever more, your local weather reports will be brought to you by Dear Miss Mermaid. No kidding! We have had steady rain for over 2 days (almost 3) and that is VERY unusual for Tortola. It filled up our cisterns, watered our flowers and slowed down everything (if that's even possible) to an even slower pace than our usual lackadaisical lifestyle. I am sure some sailors have cursed our rain, but after all, they have every excuse to have loads of "Showers in the rain" as well as keeping their boat clean and spiffy. Rain is a great excuse to go sit in an open air bar, (under cover) and slurp rum punches while studying the scenery. Rain is a great excuse to do nothing. So, if you aren't here, you should be making arrangements to get here. After all, it rained while you weren't here, so it won't rain while you are here. This report sponsored by
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| - Let It Rain! |
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It's Raining, It's Pouring
The Thunder is Roaring Our flowers are Soaring My Love Life is Boring... I know the tourists think that rain is a personal insult to their vacation, but we like some rain now and then, to fill our cisterns, to water our gardens. In this land of sun and fun, we try to conserve our precious water resources. Often we have tourists arrive, rent a villa and totally empty out the cisterns in one week, whereas we locals would take two or three months to empty it out. So we are all immensely happy to have loads of rain today to fill up our cisterns and especially our rental villas, so that when the tourists come, we will have plenty of water for all. This morning we were greeted with a rolling thunder than rumbled down to the core of our bones. Of course the power has been intermittent, it doesn't seem to like rain either. All is quiet, very few folks have ventured out, many are taking a holiday from work. Hitchhiking is acceptable and often done here, some folks rely on that method to commute to and from work regularly. If you think you haven't seen any hitchhikers here, think again. 99% of the folks standing under a shade tree are patiently waiting for an offer of a ride. Ditto for those standing near speed bumps. I often depart for town alone and arrive with a car load. I've met all sorts of interesting folks this way and never once have I met anyone scary. When my car is in the shop, I often continue with my errands by hitchhiking and am surprised at the number of times folks actually go out of their way to take me to where I am going, rather than just drop me off and let me finish walking. Pickup trucks are unofficial busses and it's not unusual to see pickup trucks loaded down with hitchhikers. If you are driving a pickup truck that is not full of stuff, folks smile at you, cause they assume you are going to stop for them. A friend of mine who drives a pickup truck is notorious for picking up all the hitchhikers. He says if he had a dollar for every ride he has given, he would own a Rolls Royce by now. But he prefers his ratty old pickup truck and the hitchhikers are grateful for his generosity. Once his brother and his new bride came to visit our lovely island. My friend graciously loaned them his pickup truck to go sightseeing. He forgot all about mentioning the hitchhikers to them, it seemed irrelevant. But as they bounced their way to town, they encountered one of many speed bumps that require you to come to a creepy crawl, just to make it over the mammoth bumps. At one such bump, four men jumped in the back of the pickup truck, thinking it was their usual ride to town. The young bride began screaming hysterically, the young man slammed on the brakes and grabbed his wife then the two of them jumped out of the truck and began running while screaming "HELP! Police! HELP!" Typical Tortolian, style, other motorists stopped to help and finally they got it all sorted out, meanwhile the four hitchhikers are still in the back of the truck laughing so hard they can't pick themselves up to get out of the truck! After that, says my friend, his brother and bride opted to take a taxi everywhere. Keep emailing your comments, funny tales and questions, I enjoy them all. Your wet corespondent,
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| - Surf's UP! |
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If you love to surf, you should be here now. The surf is up and the surfers are out!
We voted to send all our storms north this year. So far that has worked out fine for us. A small tropical wave is passing over us, brining great surf, gusty winds and much needed rain for our cisterns and flowers. Tortola is expecting loads of tourists this year, if you haven't made your reservations, you should! This Report Sponsored by
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| - Weather with a Picture |
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Today is a gorgeous day in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. Temperature is in the low 80's, with scattered clouds, yet bright and sunny.
I have included a picture for you. October 10, 2001 in the BVI
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| - answers to your questions |
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Amazingly, folks email me with comments and questions about my weather reports. I shall address a few here.
One writer said my weather reports of late had been a bit "dry". Well, Lord knows we sure do need some rain here to fill our cisterns and bloom our flowers. I'll see what I can do about that. Another correspondent asked how long the days were here. Our days are 24 hours, just like yours, we just move slower is all. One emailer asked where the best SCUBA dive spots were. In the ocean. Another asked the best place to see fish while snorkeling. In the ocean. Several asked about the best spots to swim. In the ocean. Quite a few asked about the weather in November, December, January and February. I am consulting my crystal ball and will get back to you. Keep the email coming. I appreciate your feedback and questions. Your Tortola Correspondent
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| - Besides Jerry, there is a wave east of him |
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11 PM AST SUN OCT 07 2001
...JERRY REFORMS FARTHER NORTH...STILL MOVING THROUGH THE WINDWARD ISLANDS... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINE ISLANDS. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR GRENADA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS MAY AFFECT ST. LUCIA ON MONDAY. AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM JERRY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 13.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 60.6 WEST OR ABOUT 40 MILES...65 KM...EAST OF ST. VINCENT. JERRY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 14 MPH...22 KM/HR... AND A GRADUAL TURN BACK TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT. ON THIS TRACK...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM JERRY WOULD TRACK BETWEEN ST. LUCIA AND ST. VINCENT MONDAY MORNING. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 50 MPH... 85 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES ...110 KM...MAINLY EAST OF THE CENTER. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1007 MB...29.74 INCHES. RAINFALL TOTALS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY LARGER AMOUNTS OVER HIGHER TERRAIN...ARE STILL POSSIBLE AS JERRY PASSES THROUGH THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. REPEATING THE 11 PM AST POSITION...13.3 N... 60.6 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...NORTHWEST NEAR 14 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 50 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1007 MB. Check out the satellite picture at Tropical Atlantic
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| - Jerry is south of us but well worth watching, just to be sure he stays away! |
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11 AM AST SUN OCT 07 2001
...JERRY APPROACHING THE WINDWARD ISLANDS... A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINE ISLANDS...TOBAGO...GRENADA AND DEPENDENCIES. AT 11 AM AST...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM JERRY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 11.7 NORTH... LONGITUDE 58.3 WEST OR ABOUT 125 MILES... 200 KM...SOUTHEAST OF BARBADOS. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT 155 MILES...250 KM...EAST-NORTHEAST OF TOBAGO. JERRY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 20 MPH ...32 KM/HR...AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MPH... 75 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES ...110 KM FROM THE CENTER. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1003 MB...29.62 INCHES. AN AIR FORCE RESERVE RECON WILL INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM LATER THIS AFTERNOON. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE AS THE SYSTEM PASSES OVER THE ISLANDS. REPEATING THE 11 AM AST POSITION...11.7 N... 58.3 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 20 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 45 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB. Stay away from the beautiful BVI Jerry!
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| - Iris heads for Mexico |
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11 AM EDT SUN OCT 07 2001
...IRIS PASSING NEAR THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF JAMAICA...HEADING FOR YUCATAN... Iris is not a threat to the BVI. This report sponsored by |
| - Jerry is building up some, watch this one carefully |
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BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM JERRY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 3A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 2 AM AST SUN OCT 07 2001 ...JERRY BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED EAST OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS... A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS. THE WATCH MAY BE UPGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING LATER TODAY. AT 2 AM AST...0600Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM JERRY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 11.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 54.9 WEST OR ABOUT 335 MILES...535 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BARBADOS IN THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. JERRY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 16 MPH...26 KM/HR...AND A WEST OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS COULD REACH BARBADOS WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH... 65 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 60 MILES ... 95 KM FROM THE CENTER. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1005 MB...29.68 INCHES. ALL INTERESTS IN THE LESSER ANTILLES SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM. ADDITIONAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED FOR OTHER PORTIONS OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS LATER TODAY. REPEATING THE 2 AM AST POSITION...11.3 N... 54.9 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 16 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 40 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB. This Bulletin Sponsored By
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| - Jerry has made a splash! |
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BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM JERRY ADVISORY NUMBER 3 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 11 PM AST SAT OCT 06 2001 ...JERRY BECOMES THE TENTH NAMED STORM OF THE SEASON... A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BARBADOS. THE WATCH MAY BE UPGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM WARNING ON SUNDAY. AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM JERRY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 11.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE 54.1 WEST OR ABOUT 390 MILES...625 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BARBADOS IN THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. JERRY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 16 MPH...26 KM/HR...AND A WEST OR WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS COULD REACH BARBADOS WITHIN 36 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH... 65 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 60 MILES ... 95 KM FROM THE CENTER. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1005 MB...29.68 INCHES. ALL INTERESTS IN THE LESSER ANTILLES SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM. ADDITIONAL WATCHES OR WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS ON SUNDAY. REPEATING THE 11 PM AST POSITION...11.1 N... 54.1 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 16 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 40 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB. This Report Sponsored by
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| - Iris has a name! |
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8 PM AST FRI OCT 05 2001
...IRIS TURNS TO THE WEST... A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF HISPANIOLA FROM BARAHONA IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO ANSE D HAINAULT HAITI. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTH COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FROM ISLA SAONA TO BARAHONA. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO UPGRADE THIS TROPICAL STORM WATCH TO A HURRICANE WATCH TONIGHT OR SATURDAY. AT 8 PM AST...0000Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM IRIS WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 15.8 NORTH...LONGITUDE 67.7 WEST OR ABOUT 240 MILES...385 KM...SOUTHEAST OF SANTO DOMINGO IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS IRIS HAS BEEN MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 18 MPH ...29 KM/HR. A GENERAL WEST-NORTHWEST MOTION IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THE PROJECTED TRACK THE CENTER OF IRIS IS EXPECTED TO PASS CLOSE TO THE SOUTH COAST OF HISPANIOLA ON SATURDAY. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 60 MPH... 95 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IRIS IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE ON SATURDAY. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 105 MILES ...165 KM...MAINLY TO THE NORTH OF THE CENTER. THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE PLANE WAS 1003 MB...29.62 INCHES. COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 4 TO 5 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED ALONG PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN COAST OF HISPANIOLA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. OUTER RAINBANDS ARE ALREADY SPREADING OVER HISPANIOLA. RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR THE PATH OF IRIS. REPEATING THE 8 PM AST POSITION...15.8 N... 67.7 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 18 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB. This Report Sponsored by
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| - the wind is whistling |
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This report comes to you from West End. Certain times the wind comes through here in such a way that is whistles and howls even though it is only 15-20 knots. Today is one of those days. The wind is whistling through.
5 AM AST FRI OCT 05 2001 ...POORLY-DEFINED TROPICAL DEPRESSION MOVING WEST-NORTHWESTWARD THROUGH THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN... TROPICAL STORM WATCHES OR WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED FOR PUERTO RICO AND PORTIONS OF HISPANIOLA LATER TODAY. INTERESTS IN THE EASTERN AND CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM. AT 5 AM AST...0900Z...THE POORLY-DEFINED CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ELEVEN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE 63.5 WEST OR ABOUT 160 MILES...260 KM...WEST-NORTHWEST OF ST. VINCENT IN THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT 350 MILES... 560 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH ...28 KM/HR...AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH... 55 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1010 MB...29.83 INCHES. SQUALLS WITH HEAVY RAINS AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF THE LESSER ANTILLES THROUGH THIS MORNING. ON THE PROJECTED PATH...OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE WILL BE APPROACHING THE SOUTH COASTS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WITHIN THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS. REPEATING THE 5 AM AST POSITION...14.0 N... 63.5 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 35 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1010 MB. This Report is Sponsored By
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| - Weather Today in Tortola |
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Gentle breezes waft across Tortola. The usual scattered clouds are in force. We could use some more rain in our cistern. However, yesterday it rained in West End for a good six minutes. Then the clouds parted, the sun shined and the hibiscus perked up.
Humberto is far north of us eyeballing Canada and has actually been downgraded. We have three waves to the east of us, I don't like the looks of two of them, but so far we've succeeded in sending all our storms up north. Today's temperatures will be the usual eighty-ish, nights are a bit cooler now. Now if we can succeed in sending all the northerners down here, for a taste of our unique paradise, all will be well. This Report is Sponsored By
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| - Just Another Gorgeous Day... |
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Today it is sunny with scattered rains. We sure do need the rain for our gardens and cisterns. A big depression is due east of us, but it looks a bit disorganized, which thrills me, no less.
Humberto is far north of us and not a threat to our lovely islands. So far no terrorists, so pack your bags and come on down. Remember to bring half the clothes and twice the money! This Report Sponsored by
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| - Couple of Waves |
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Two waves are coming off Africa. Neither one look good, but we just want some rain and you can keep the storm.
Himmacane Humberto is far north of us, so we smile and sigh. Our new airport is scheduled to open soon along with the new bridge to reach it. But, I know, they said that last year too! This year, might be the year they finally finish it all. Early on, since traffic has been rerouted on Beef Island due to the construction, someone put up signs directing you around. The only problem was, it directed you into a complete circle and you couldn't leave the airport at all! I understand they have been repositioned now, so that you can leave the airport, so if you spent your last vacation circling Beef Island, then come on down, we are sure to get you off and going now. Enjoy the scenery as you drive across our old decrepit bridge, it shakes and rattles, it's only one lane at a time, but you have a gorgeous view of the new bridge you can't use. I recommend that you wait and NOT follow any overladen trucks across the bridge, wait until they get over it first and you should be fine. Today in Tortola it is in the mid 80's with a few puffy clouds wafting by, humidity is low, sunshine is bright, see you at the beach! This Report was Sponsored by
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| - Weather and a Photo |
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Click Here for Today's Weather & Photo
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| - Weather is gorgeous! |
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Today was just another gorgeous day in the British Virgin Islands. All the hurricanes are far north of us, the depressions east of us haven't come in yet. The sky is clear with some scattered clouds and it actually rained for 2-3 minutes at Smuggler's Cove today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered a great tragedy this past week. One of "our own" was visiting the great city of New York when the "war" began. He saved his money for a long, long time. He carefully packed his bags and dressed up to fly. From a tiny island of only 150 or so odd souls, in the British Virgin Islands, he was excited to leave and go visit New York for the first time ever. He made arrangements to go to the top of the World Trade Center and see all of New York. He had his camera and film ready, he would go up Tuesday morning. He would show the folks back home what a real city looked like. His plans to go were changed on Monday night, instead of visiting the World Trade Center observation deck on Tuesday, he would go on Wednesday, with some others. He couldn't wait to go and at first on Tuesday morning, he regretted the change in plans. Then horror filled the morning and he didn't quite understand at first that it was the World Trade Center, where he was supposed to be, crumbling down before him. Now of course, he understands and realizes he might of been witness to dramatic history unfolding though it all seems a bit overwhelming. But still, he worries selfishly, that he won't have any good photos of a real American City to show the folks back home. |
| - Flying Bathtubs! |
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This is an excerpt written by Brad Foss for the Associated Press, Sept. 13, 2001;
June Fyfe of Harlingen, Texas, sported a red, white and blue ribbon as she read a mystery novel to pass eight hours at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport before her flight to Las Vegas. ''I'm not going to sit home,'' said Fyfe, 71. ''The record of the airlines is that they're the safest mode of transportation. Safer than your bath tub.'' Well, I have heard of witches and *others* that rhyme with that, flying on their brooms. Then we have had flying carpets with genies atop. Perhaps I do recall in my distant memory that a tornado survivor and her children crouched in a bathtub that was swept up in the air, only to land them all gently down again. Then a few years ago, a family on St John, in the Virgin Islands, flew their newly delivered couch down a steep ravine during the height of a hurricane that destroyed their house while sparing them and the new couch. But safer than your bathtub? I wish the reporter had caught June Fyfe's aside and asked HER about HER experiences of flying. We want to know about it, June. Every time I get in a tub, I will think of what June Fyfe said and wonder about her flying experiences in a bathtub. The weather is gorgeous today on Tortola, gentle trade winds, clear skies with light puffy clouds wafting by, little humidity and just pleasant all around. |
| - incredible pics |
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Take a look at these five storms! Just incredible!
09142001 satellite picture
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| - We are so lucky! |
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Erin and Felix are both going to miss us! Yahoo!
This report sponsored by
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| - Hijackers & Hurricanes, Round trip to nowhere |
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I spoke with a charter pilot last night who had some puddle hopping
to do today. After the collapse of the towers, I tried to call him and eventually found him back at home. He had flown from Beef Island to St Thomas, only to be told moments before his landing, to increase altitude and veer off. Seeing that the weather was perfect, he had no idea why he was being diverted. Then St Thomas came back on and told him the airport was closed. Moments later, San Juan informed him they were closed and that he should turn around and go back to Beef Island. While out airport is open, there is no where to go, as most flights from here are puddle hoppers that connect to San Juan and St Thomas. Some go to St Maartin. I had a lot of business to do in town today. Every where I went, employees were distracted as an amazing number of businesses have TV and cable installed now. Felix? Most folks were so overshadowed by the live news, that hurricanes took a back seat. It looks like Felix has a good chance of missing us all together. Being a tourist destination, we all wonder, will everything will be all right for folks to fly safely one day? |
| - hurricanes and hijacks |
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Nothing has crashed or blown up here yet, in view of the disasters
unfolding across America today, we feel a tad lucky. However, our phone system is VERY erratic today and has frequently shut down, so if you are trying to call in/out of the BVI please be patient. BULLETIN TROPICAL STORM FELIX ADVISORY NUMBER 11 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 11 AM AST TUE SEP 11 2001 ...FELIX...SIXTH TROPICAL STORM OF THE SEASON FORMS IN THE ATLANTIC... This report is sponsored by
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| - Something else to watch... |
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TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED...
AT 5 AM AST...0900Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 48.2 WEST OR ABOUT 890 MILES...1435 KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH ...19 KM/HR...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH... 55 KM/HR...WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS TO TROPICAL STORM FORCE IN SQUALLS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1004 MB...29.65 INCHES. |
| - Erin is a category Two hurricane |
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My heart goes out to the poor sailors and islanders north of us who now have Erin breathing down their neck.
We are looking at a couple of waves off Africa, but nothing significant yet. |
| - I feel a depression coming on... |
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TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN ADVISORY NUMBER 2
11 PM AST FRI SEP 07 2001 ...TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN MOVING WESTWARD THROUGH THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC... AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION SEVEN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE 31.1 WEST OR ABOUT 425 MILES...685 KM...WEST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 17 MPH...28 KM/HR... AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH... 55 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS... AND THE DEPRESSION COULD BECOME A TROPICAL STORM ON SATURDAY. This is a BIG depression heading our way and it depresses me to just think about it! Of coure we need and want the rain, but you can keep the storm, thank you, very much. Take a look at this baby on the satellite pic, they're just dying to name him and may do so by tomorrow. United States Tropical Atlantic Surface Analysis by Intellicast.com This report is sponsored by
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| - Nothing but sunny skies in the BVI! |
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11 AM AST FRI SEP 07 2001
...ERIN NEARING TROPICAL STORM STRENGTH...AIR FORCE PLANE WILL TELL THE TALE... AT 11 AM AST...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ERIN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 24.8 NORTH... LONGITUDE 57.9 WEST OR ABOUT 665 MILES...1070 KM...SOUTHEAST OF BERMUDA. Nothing but sunny skies and balmy breezes in the beautiful British Virgin Islands! Make your plans now to come on down! |
| - ERIN WEAKENS AS IT MOVES THROUGH A HOSTILE ENVIRONM |
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Darn right it's a hostile environment! We here in the Beautiful
British Virgin Islands decided we would send out "hostile" thoughts at Erin and keep him/her away. Not sure what gender Erin is and it's just as well as it looks like we won't be having any Himmacanes or Hurricanes! Praise the Lord! So check out Calendar of Events, British Virgin Islands and come on down! The weather is gorgeous, wish you were here. I gotta run, great day to go to the beach and do some serious work. (just another tough day at the office!) 11 AM EDT WED SEP 05 2001 ...ERIN WEAKENS AS IT MOVES THROUGH A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT... AT 11 AM EDT...1500Z...THE POORLY DEFINED CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ERIN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 18.3 NORTH... LONGITUDE 57.5 WEST OR ABOUT 280 MILES...455 KM...EAST OF BARBUDA IN THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS.. ERIN HAS DECREASED ITS FORWARD SPEED AND IS NOW MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH ...19 KM/HR. ON THIS TRACK THE CENTER OF ERIN AND MOST OF ITS ASSOCIATED WEATHER WILL BE PASSING WELL NORTH OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. ERIN HAS WEAKENED AND MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MPH... 75 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES ...185 KM TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY A RECONNAISSANCE PLANE WAS 1013 MB...29.91 INCHES. |
| - The sun is out, come on down |
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Click here: United States Tropical Atlantic Surface Analysis by
Intellicast.com Erin is moving north of us. Hallelujah! Another great day for the beach and sailing! |
| - Erratic Erin |
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5 PM EDT TUE SEP 04 2001
...ERIN POORLY ORGANIZED...EXPECTED TO PASS NORTH OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS... AT 5 PM EDT...2100Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ERIN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 54.1 WEST OR ABOUT 500 MILES... 800 KM...EAST OF ANTIGUA IN THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS. See? My crystal ball has proved to be right once again. I must dust it off more often! Today proved to be another gorgeous day in paradise. If you aren't here already, you should be making plans to come on down!
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| - Beans and Candles... |
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11 AM EDT TUE SEP 04 2001
...ERIN REMAINS POORLY ORGANIZED... AT 11 AM EDT...1500Z...THE POORLY DEFINED CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ERIN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE 53.1 WEST OR ABOUT 555 MILES... 890 KM...EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES. ERIN HAS BEEN MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 18 MPH ...30 KM/HR. A TURN TO THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 50 MPH... 85 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS MAINLY TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES ...185 KM TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER. Hey, Erin is not the only one poorly organized around here! So far my hurricane preparations involve a case of beans and two cases of candles. Now that I think about it, being all closed up inside the house, eating beans and burning candles..... well, um you get the picture! Today is a great day in the BVI to go sailing !!! |
| - Erratic Erin |
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THE 5 AM EDT POSITION...17.2 N... 51.1 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 18 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 50 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB. So far this actually looks better for us. Maybe Erin will just dump some rain and go away. Today in Tortola it is sunny and breezy with bright skies and scattered clouds. A perfect day for the beach . See you there!
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| - Erratic Erin! 5pm Report Monday |
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MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO 45 MPH... 75 KM/HR...OR LESS. EVEN
THOUGH ERIN HAS WEAKENED...CONDITIONS COULD STILL BECOME FAVORABLE FOR STRENGTHENING DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. I dusted off my crystal ball and it shows that we will have a few wet days of rain and Erin will keep us guessing until the last minute, but will result in little or no damage at all! This crystal ball report was sponsored by
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| - Errant Erin ia meandering along with 60 mph winds |
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This is the weather report excerpt, and it appears as usual, that the
meteorologists haven't a clue what ERIN is up to. First they say a little weaker, then they say it might get stronger and they use the word suggest! Well, I am going to consult my crystal ball and get back to you with my prediction! I seem to be right more often than they are but then again, my crystal ball is state of the art. By the way, today on Tortola we are having intermittent rain squaws. Last night was the famous full moon party at Bomba's Shack and I imagine some folks feel as overcast as our skies look today. I've been trying to make business calls here all day and can't get any intelligent answers and we don't even observe the US Labor Day but some folks here seem to have taken a holiday anyway. It often happens the day after the full moon mushroom party. ...ERIN LOOKING A LITTLE WEAKER THIS MORNING... AT 11 AM EDT...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ERIN WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 46.3 WEST OR ABOUT 975 MILES. ..1565 KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. ERIN IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST NEAR 18 MPH ...30 KM/HR ...AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE STILL ESTIMATED NEAR 60 MPH... 95 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS...BUT SATELLITE IMAGES SUGGEST THAT ERIN IS BECOMING A LITTLE WEAKER. HOWEVER CONDITIONS MIGHT AGAIN BECOME FAVORABLE FOR STRENGTHENING DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. This report was sponsored by
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| - ...ERIN MOVING WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AND SLOWLY GAINING STRENGTH... |
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THE 5 AM EDT POSITION...15.3 N... 43.9 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 16 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 60 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB. ABOUT 1150 MILES...1855 KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. Yuck! This does not look especially encouraging. We are watching this storm with a careful eye, praying that it will bypass us all together. Of course, we can always use rain, so we hope we get the rain, but not the winds! This Report Sponsored by 30' Catalina Sailboat for Sale in British Virgin Islands |
| - Erin is on the way |
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Evil Erin is on the way, no matter where he goes, we are bound to get
the fringe benefits. Stock up on everything and have a great hurricane party! This report is sponsored by |
| - Erin is on the way |
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Check out this satellite picture of Erin, looks pretty big and I am not
amused. Erin
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| - Dean WHO???????????? |
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Dean snuck up on us. One minute the weather is gorgeous and five
minutes later the winds are howling at 60 miles an hour, and the rain is coming at us horizontally. We had exactly zero warning. It was just like all the times we are told to expect a hurricane and what we get is a bad storm. Well, this was a bad storm (without the warning!) My visitors from the states, cuddled up in front of the cable TV, wondering why they spent a fortune to come down here and watch movies in the rain... Cable went out and they implored me to call for repair. I tried to explain that very little got done in the rain on Tortola, but just to humor them I called for cable repair. The lady on the other end, customer service is what they call her, said "You DON'T except us to come out in the RAIN and fix your cable now do you?" She was serious. So we watched taped shows of "Six Feet Under", that show about the family running a funeral home, and it cheered us up some. (Things could be worse...) I assured them that by the morning the skies would clear and they would once again, find themselves at a sunny beach. I crossed my fingers behind my back as I said this. But by the next day, it was sunny and clear, the only evidence of a storm was the plethora of rocks decorating the roads. Washout. |
| - Tortola is sunny and breezy, no storm in sight (yet!) |
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Come on down, the crowds are gone, the water is clear, the sun is out.
We've had occasional scattered showers, that last 5-10 minutes. Pack half the clothes and twice the money, see you in paradise! 000 ABNT20 KNHC 170917 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 530 AM EDT FRI AUG 17 2001 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A STRONG TROPICAL WAVE... THE REMNANTS OF CHANTAL...HAVE BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED DURING THE NIGHT. HOWEVER...SURFACE OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SUGGEST THE SYSTEM HAS NOT YET REFORMED A CLOSED CIRCULATION. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE WESTWARD NEAR 25 MPH OVER THE CARIBBEAN SEA. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS APPEAR FAVORABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT...AND THE SYSTEM WILL BE MONITORED FOR SIGNS OF REGENERATION. AN AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WILL INVESTIGATE THE WAVE THIS MORNING. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL STORM FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH SATURDAY. FORECASTER BEVEN This report was sponsored by A Villa 4 You, Main Page and TortolaPrivateChef.Com |
| - Look at our World! |
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This is my favorite satellite picture. It shows the entire world.
http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/comp/latest_cmoll.gif |
| - Dusting off the volcano ash |
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Montserrat's volcano blew last week and ironically the ash was
deposited across the Virgin Islands. I just want you to know we have dug out and dusted off. Everything is back to normal (Just kidding!) it's carnival week and the carnival must go on! (So nothing is normal here this week as many businesses are closed til Thursday). A couple of waves off African don't look so hot, but nothing to worry us yet, so come on down, the water is crystal clear, the crowds are few, the trade winds are balmy. See you here! This web weather report was sponsored by; TortolaPrivateChef.Com check it out |
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