- Updates from the Islands -

- - Jamaica - -

| home | tools | pleas for help | QHWRN | guide | climatology | archive

- - - 2007 Hurricane Season - - -

- ODPEM Press Release: Courts Jamaica Ltd. Donates 100 Twin Mattresses to Flood-Affected Families in Ocho Rios, St. Ann
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:44:07 -0500

Good Day Everyone,

Please see attached ODPEM Press Release concerning the Donation of 100 twin mattresses from Courts Jamaica Ltd. to the ODPEM to be distributed to those affected by the floods in Ocho Rios, St. Ann:



With kind regards,

Ms. Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

If you are receiving this mail in error or you want to remove yourself from future mailings, please to send your request to kmorris at odpem.org.jm with "Removal Request" as the subject.

Attachment: Press Release1_Courts Handing Over Ceremony_Wednesday, April 23, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- ODPEM Media Advisory: Courts Jamaica Ltd. to Donate 100 Twin Mattresses to Rain-Affected Families in Ocho Rios, St. Ann
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:36:51 -0500

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please see attached ODPEM Media Advisory concerning the donation of 100 twin beds from Courts Jamaica Ltd. to ODPEM to help families in their recovery efforts after the heavy rains that lashed sections of St. Ann:



With kind regards,

Ms. Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

If you are receiving this mail in error or you want to remove yourself from future mailings, please to send your request to kmorris at odpem.org.jm with "Removal Request" as the subject.

Attachment: Media Advisory_Handing Over Ceremony_Tuesday, April 22, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- Greetings from the rock
  • From: "sue morris" <sue.island at cwjamaica.com>
  • Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:44:41 -0500
Afternoon to all
 
After a long absence on my part - the time and weather has decided that it is again time to report from the northern town of Ocho Rios. As many of you probably know by now, Ochi suffered some unbelievable weather Wed night into the early hours of Thurs morning. The end result - the main street of town ended up under mud. In some places the mud is well over 18 inches thick. Main Street was closed for business yesterday and again today - insurance assessors are everywhere and shop owners are trying to salvage what they can and figure out how they are going to open for business. Banks, supermarkets, KFC, Burger King, Post Office, gas stations, you name it, if it is on Main Street, it a'int open.
 
In all the years I have lived in this area, I have never seen anything like it. In talking with the old timers yesterday - they repeated the same sentiments. Many of the communities to the south of the town have been badly affected, as has Milford Road, the road leading from Fern Gully to the town. BUT, we are resilient, we had a ship in harbour yesterday - I had the Village open for business and we had a wonderful time with the passengers. They were extremely interested in what had happened and how the community comes together to assist. Local business owners began directing traffic from 3am, others trying to clear mud away from the drains - and so it went on. Once the mud has dried, we will dust off and right back at it again.
 
We had very little rain in this area since the beginning of the year until this week, I also was in the process of replacing the waterproofing on one of our large buildings - we had this project about 60% complete when the rains started. Well, we now know why they make 55 gallon plastic rubbish bins - they are for catching water !!
 
The busy winter season is winding down which of course means that June is fast approaching and we all know what means - time to get the stocking up lists ready. I really am going to get a generator this year - think I said that last year and look where we are again.
 
If there is anyone out there who would like me to try and get information on family or friends in this area, please send me an email and I will do my best. The sun will be out soon, I think the rains are supposed to be gone completely by the end of the weekend
 
Stay dry and clean
Sue M

- Flood Update
  • From: cnichols at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:26:22 -0500
(See attached file: newsreleaseflood3.doc)
Cheryl A. Nichols
Training Manager
ODPEM
12 Camp Road
Tel: 928-5111/4
Fax: 928-5503
Email: cnichols at odpem.org.jm

Attachment: newsreleaseflood3.doc
Description: MS-Word document


- Flooding in St. Ann
  • From: cnichols at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:15:12 -0500
Please see the attached

(See attached file: newsreleaseflood2.doc)(See attached file:
newsreleaseflood.doc)
Cheryl A. Nichols
Training Manager
ODPEM
12 Camp Road
Tel: 928-5111/4
Fax: 928-5503
Email: cnichols at odpem.org.jm

Attachment: newsreleaseflood2.doc
Description: MS-Word document

Attachment: newsreleaseflood.doc
Description: MS-Word document


- 2008 Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast released today at Bahams weather conference.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 21:12:31 -0700 (PDT)
Today is the start of the 12th annual Bahamas Weather conference (April 9-12th) at the Westin Grand Bahama Island .

This year the conference will attract 100 television meteorologists from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.The Weather Channel and CBC Newsworld in Canada will broadcast highlights of the conference across North America.

 

Today  William Gray and Phil Klotzbach of the Colorado State University Hurricane Forecast Team issue their updated forecast for the 2008 hurricane season as part of the opening of the Bahamas Weather Conference .They are forecasting an above average hurricane season.

 

The advantage of technology and the internet  is one does not have to attend the conference in the Bahamas.With the click of the mouse we can be virtually there. link below

 

For the daily video highlights including video of today's updated hurricane forecast and reasoning behind the forecast check out their website at:

http://bahamaswxconference.com/


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

- Hurricane Experts Likely to Raise 2008 Storm Predictions Today
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 21:07:39 -0700 (PDT)
Partly cloudy to fair skies across the island. Lately, The weather has been really nice, since it we picked up some rain on Saturday evening.Total precip on Saturday...0.5in/12.7mm. The weather looks wonderful for the next 7 days,So enjoy it!!!
 
Interesting news from Bloomberg news
Hurricane Experts Likely to Raise 2008 Storm Predictions Today

By Demian McLean

 

Hurricane Experts Likely to Raise 2008 Storm Predictions Today

By Demian McLean

 

April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane forecasters probably will boost the number of expected 2008 Atlantic storms when they update their prediction for the season today, meteorologists say.

 

William Gray and Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, whose predictions are closely watched by insurers, energy markets and local governments, are scheduled to release their forecast by 11:30 a.m. New York time. Their preliminary report in December predicted 13 named storms this year, including seven hurricanes, three of them major.

 

``We think the forecast is going to be relatively aggressive,'' Michael Schlacter, chief meteorologist at Manhattan-based Weather 2000, which serves energy traders, said in an interview. ``Conditions are favorable for the formation of Atlantic hurricanes.''

Schlacter predicted the team at CSU's Tropical Meteorology Project would forecast two additional hurricanes, one of them major, for the season that begins in June and runs to the end of November. Gray and Klotzbach have offered a preview of hurricane seasons for almost a quarter-century and typically fine-tune them at this time of year.

 

Natural-gas traders will watch for any hurricanes forecast in the northern Gulf of Mexico, where gas wells are concentrated.

``There's very little cushion if the gulf is hit,'' said Chris Jarvis, president at Caprock Risk Management LLC in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, which advises energy producers and industrial users.

 

Gas Inventories Low

Inventories of natural gas are at a two-year low after a cooler winter than the year before. Also pushing supplies lower is higher demand from industrial users, who are choosing it over more expensive fuel oil.

Last year, two Category 5 hurricanes -- the most intense on a five-tier scale -- made landfall in the Atlantic Basin for the first time ever. Storms Dean and Felix narrowly missed gas and oil rigs in the gulf, plowing into Mexican and Nicaraguan agricultural regions.

Boosting the odds of Atlantic hurricanes is the current La Nina weather pattern, which occurs every three to five years.

 

The phenomenon cools Pacific waters while also calming atmospheric turbulence. Turbulence normally discourages hurricane formation over the Atlantic.

``The chances for the continental U.S. and the Caribbean Islands to experience a hurricane increase substantially during La Nina,'' according to the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center.

Past Forecasts

 

Gray and Klotzbach aren't always accurate in their predictions. They issued identical forecasts for the 2006 and 2007 seasons -- 17 named storms, with nine strengthening into hurricanes. In 2006, there were 10 actual storms, five of them building into hurricanes; in 2007, there were 15 storms, six of them hurricanes.

In 2005, they forecast 13 storms, including seven hurricanes. The season produced a record 28 storms that generated 15 hurricanes, including Katrina and Rita.

 

The five-tier Saffir-Simpson scale defines major hurricanes as having winds of more than 111 miles (179 kilometers) an hour. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane if its winds reach 75 mph.

Hurricane Felix struck northeastern Nicaragua with winds of about 160 mph on Sept. 4. The death toll was as high as 130, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Hurricane Dean battered Central America's Yucatan Peninsula on Aug. 21 with 165-mph winds after killing as many as 40 people across the Caribbean.



You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

- Trough weakening High Pressure Ridge to build across the region.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 21:08:34 -0700 (PDT)

Rain and Thunder

 

 

Yesterday, Montego Bay experienced thunderstorm and rain. The rain and occasional thunder started at around 5:15 and continued up unto 7pm. Today we aslo saw some much welcomed rainfall. It started sometime after two pm and tapered off with the hour. Total precipitation for the past 24hrs is 0.92 inches/23.4mm.

 

Forecast features a nice balance. We had rain this week and now to the sunshine which visitors travel from thousands of miles to see and enjoy. The trough which has provided the island with rain throughout the week is forecast to weekend as a high pressure ridge builds across the Caribbean. Saturday-Tuesday looks fair with the best chance of rain through the period on Saturday night.



You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

- Trough cuts across the Island.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 18:41:58 -0700 (PDT)
 

Looking wet for most parishes

 

 

Nice weather here, free healthcare program running okay with a few minor glitches. The talk of the nation is the dramatic developments coming out of the USA. Most people are shocked at the news, which broke yesterday; of a Jamaican detained at a Florida airport after bomb parts were found in his luggage. You can read more about that story by clicking the link. Nationwide radio (link below) typically has news and coverage of local stories between 6a.m-10a.m (est.). and 6-10pm (est.).

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/6906/26/

 

Extensive coverage from local radio stations

http://www.nationwidenewsnetwork.com/

http://www.newstalk.com.jm/LiveStream.htm

 

A trough cuts right across the island enhancing showers. Through the next 72 hrs expect an elevated chance for rainfall. Portions of the Hpc discussion below…

THE ANALYSIS

SHOWS A CLOSED LOW OVER SOUTHERN HAITI...WITH CIRCULATION AT 500

HPA FORECAST TO MEANDER SOUTH ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST OF COLOMBIA

BY 24 HRS. THIS FEATURE IS CUTOFF FROM THE FLOW...AND IT WILL

WEAKEN TO AN OPEN/ INVERTED TROUGH THROUGH 60-72 HRS. BY THEN IT

WILL EXTEND NORTHEAST FROM PANAMA TO SOUTH OF JAMAICA/HAITI. THIS

IS TO CONTINUE HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE CONVECTION ACROSS THE

CENTRAL/SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS-THE TURKS AND CENTRAL CUBA THROUGH 48-54

HRS...HISPANIOLA THROUGH 36 HRS...WHILE OVER JAMAICA IT WILL

ENHANCE CONVECTION THROUGH 72 HRS. OVER NORTHERN HISPANIOLA AND

CENTRAL/EASTERN CUBA IT WILL FAVOR RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 05-10MM/DAY

AND MAXIMA OF 15-25MM... WITH SIMILAR AMOUNTS OVER THE

BAHAMAS/TURKS. ACROSS JAMAICA WE NOW EXPECT MORE PERSISTENT

CONVECTION WITH ACCUMULATION OF 05-10MM/DAY AND MAXIMA OF

25mm/day.

Finally waves are expected be high again for our friends in the Eastern Caribbean. NWC/NCEP 24HR Wind and Wave Forecast below.

 

 

 



You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

- Early Season Tropical Wave crosses the Leser Antilles
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:03:30 -0700 (PDT)
 

Periods of sun

 

 

Mostly cloudy with periods of sun ruled today in Montego Bay. Some very light showers about an hour ago,
but is too light to be measured less than a trace. This week is looking promising for rainfall as the models
show increased moisture. Already according to the NHC discussion, an early season tropical wave today crossed 
the Lesser Antilles and currently extends from 11 to 20N.There is a surface – upper level trough and a possible
upper level low developing over Eastern Cuba. The island’s weather will see increased showers. We can expect 
rainfall amounts of 5-10mm with maxima of 15-35mm through Wednesday. 
 
Later in the week, Jamaica along with much of Central Caribbean will likely see an increased chance for Heavy
rainfall, but that’s for another time.(That prospect is discussed in the HPC Discussions  below).
 
I will not be able to blog as frequently as I have been doing lately, but I will try to pitch in when possible.
 
AN INVERTED TROUGH ENTERED THE LESSER
ANTILLES...WITH GFS MODEL FORECASTING THIS PERTURBATION TO MOVE
SOUTH OF THE USVI/PUERTO RICO BY 27-30 HRS. AT 36-60 HRS IT WILL
REACH SOUTHERN HISPANIOLA....AND BY 72-96 HRS IT WILL REACH
JAMAICA/EASTERN
 CUBA. OVER THE LESSER ANTILLES WE ONLY EXPECT
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 00-05MM/DAY AND MAXIMA OF 10-20MM. ACROSS
PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...TO CONCENTRATE ALONG THE
SOUTHERN COAST...WE EXPECT RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 05-10MM/DAY AND
MAXIMA OF 15-25MM. SIMILAR AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED AS IT MOVES
THROUGH HAITI. MOST INTENSE IS EXPECTED OVER JAMAICA... WHERE IT
WILL FAVOR RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 10-15MM/DAY AND MAXIMA OF 20-40MM
LATER IN THE PERIOD. NOTE THAT MODELS SHOWS MOST UNSTABLE
CONDITIONS TO THE SOUTH OF THE GREATER ANTILLES AS THE
PERTURBATION INTERACTS WITH THE WANING UPPER TROUGH    
Link..gfs caribbean model 
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwpara/analysis/index_carib.shtml
 
 
 


OMG, Sweet deal for Yahoo! users/friends: Get A Month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. W00t

- Quiet weather continues,A look at a typical April
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:24:09 -0700 (PDT)
The today's weather  is really nice . Sunny,(temperature 28 deg celsius)  cloudy free skies with  light winds(10kts).I took a picture from my roof at 5:45pm/6:45pm est (below).April is typically a month of incresed moisture across the the region.In Montego Bay, we typically see an increase from March's 5 days , 27 mm of rainfall, to April's 7 day's of rainfall totaling 57mm.This can be attributted to the increases in temperatures .We typically see  from the March 's average high of 28.9 deg celsius to April's to 29.5 deg celsius. The warmer temperatures and moist atmosphere trigger convectional rainfall.
 
Convectional rainfall

The ground and seas is warmed by the sun, throughout the day.

The air above the land becomes heated.

This makes the air less dense, so it rises.

As the air rises it cools.

Cool air can not hold as much water vapour as warmer air, when the air becomes too cold for the amount of water it holds condensation occurs. The point where this occurs is called the dew point.

These drops of condensation form into clouds, gradually becoming tall thunderstorm clouds, called cumulonimbus.

When these clouds become too big, containing too much water gravity forces them to release the water in a huge downpour. source(bbc gcse Geography).

 

Weather Underground stores metars (hourly observations) and creates a historical summary. Using this tool we can see the weather statistics based on searched dates from 1997 to present. I have chosen the first week of April 1-15 1997-2007. What will this week be like draw your own conclusions.(n.b They dont keep precip sum)

 

source weather underground

 

check out the weather stats for you town at http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

 

 

 

Daily Observations

 
2007 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2007/4/1 27 25 23 22 22 21 89 78 70 1016 1014 1013 11 11 11 37 18 - 0.00  
2007/4/2 27 26 25 23 21 21 83 77 66 1017 1015 1014 11 11 11 34 16 - 0.00  
2007/4/3 27 25 23 22 22 21 89 80 74 1016 1015 1013 11 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
2007/4/4 27 25 22 22 22 20 94 80 70 1015 1013 1011 11 11 11 26 8 - 0.00  
2007/4/5 27 26 23 22 22 22 94 81 74 1013 1012 1010 11 11 11 13 6 - 0.00 Rain
2007/4/6 30 26 23 25 22 22 89 82 66 1013 1011 1009 11 11 11 13 5 - 0.00  
2007/4/7 27 26 25 23 22 22 89 84 79 1015 1013 1011 11 11 11 13 5 - 0.00  
2007/4/8 28 26 25 26 22 22 94 84 79 1017 1015 1014 11 11 11 26 5 - 0.00  
2007/4/9 30 27 25 26 23 22 89 83 74 1017 1016 1013 11 11 11 29 8 - 0.00 Rain
2007/4/10 30 26 23 26 22 22 89 80 70 1015 1012 1010 11 11 11 29 10 - 0.00  
2007/4/11 30 27 25 27 23 22 89 84 79 1014 1012 1009 11 11 11 21 2 - 0.00  
2007/4/12 30 27 25 26 22 22 89 79 70 1015 1014 1012 11 11 11 24 2 - 0.00  
2007/4/13 30 27 25 26 23 22 94 83 70 1016 1014 1013 11 11 11 26 10 - 0.00  
2007/4/14 30 27 25 26 24 22 94 83 70 1015 1014 1012 11 11 11 32 8 - 0.00  
2007/4/15 27 26 25 26 23 22 89 83 78 1016 1013 1011 11 11 11 14 5 - 0.00  
2006 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h)

Gust Speed (km/h)

Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2006/4/1 28 26 23 22 22 21 89 77 66 1018 1016 1015 11 11 11 35 16 - 0.00  
2006/4/2 27 25 23 22 21 20 89 77 69 1016 1015 1014 11 11 11 29 11 - 0.00  
2006/4/3 28 25 22 23 20 18 83 75 61 1015 1014 1013 11 11 11 32 11 - 0.00  
2006/4/4 28 26 23 25 22 20 89 80 69 1016 1014 1013 11 11 11 24 5 - 0.00  
2006/4/5 28 26 25 25 22 22 89 83 74 1016 1014 1013 11 11 11 16 3 - 0.00  
2006/4/6 28 26 25 25 22 22 89 84 74 1015 1014 1012 11 11 11 23 3 - 0.00  
2006/4/7 30 27 25 26 22 22 94 82 70 1016 1014 1012 11 11 11 35 13 - 0.00 Rain
2006/4/8 30 26 23 26 23 22 94 85 74 1015 1014 1012 11 11 11 27 5 - 0.00  
2006/4/9 30 27 25 26 22 22 84 79 74 1014 1013 1011 11 11 11 23 6 - 0.00  
2006/4/10 30 27 25 26 24 22 94 85 79 1014 1012 1010 11 11 11 23 2 - 0.00  
2006/4/11 30 27 25 25 23 22 89 82 74 1014 1012 1011 11 11 11 14 3 - 0.00  
2006/4/12 27 26 25 23 22 22 83 80 74 1014 1012 1011 11 11 11 27 10 - 0.00  
2006/4/13 27 26 25 23 22 22 83 79 74 1013 1012 1010 11 11 11 13 6 - 0.00  
2006/4/14 28 26 23 23 22 22 89 80 74 1013 1011 1010 11 11 11 23 3 - 0.00  
2006/4/15 28 26 25 25 22 21 84 79 70 1015 1012 1011 11 11 11 32 10 - 0.00  
2005 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2005/4/1 30 27 25 25 22 22 89 77 62 1015 1013 1011 11 11 11 35 10 - 0.00  
2005/4/2 30 27 25 25 21 21 84 76 70 1014 1013 1012 11 11 11 14 2 - 0.00  
2005/4/3 28 26 25 25 23 22 94 84 74 1017 1015 1013 11 11 11 19 5 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/4 30 27 25 25 23 22 94 80 62 1017 1015 1013 11 11 11 29 10 - 0.00  
2005/4/5 30 28 25 25 23 22 89 78 62 1016 1014 1012 11 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
2005/4/6 30 27 25 26 23 21 84 76 62 1016 1014 1012 11 11 11 35 11 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/7 30 27 25 26 22 22 89 81 74 1016 1015 1014 11 11 11 29 10 - 0.00  
2005/4/8 30 28 26 25 23 22 84 77 74 1014 1012 1010 11 11 11 13 10 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/9 30 27 25 23 22 21 84 77 70 1013 1012 1010 11 11 11 16 6 - 0.00  
2005/4/10 30 27 25 26 23 22 94 84 79 1013 1011 1009 11 11 11 21 2 - 0.00  
2005/4/11 30 27 25 25 24 23 89 82 74 1011 1010 1008 11 11 11 35 10 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/12 30 27 25 25 23 22 94 84 74 1012 1010 1009 11 11 11 27 6 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/13 28 26 25 27 23 22 94 86 74 1012 1011 1009 11 11 11 19 3 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/14 30 27 25 27 25 23 94 89 79 1012 1011 1009 11 10 0 16 0 - 0.00 Rain
2005/4/15 30 26 23 27 24 22 100 87 79 1012 1010 1009 11 11 8 11 0 - 0.00 Rain , Thunderstorm
2004 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2004/4/1 27 25 22 22 19 18 78 72 62 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 11 0 - 0.00  
2004/4/2 27 25 22 22 20 17 78 70 54 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 13 0 - 0.00  
2004/4/3 28 26 23 22 20 20 78 68 62 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 16 3 - 0.00  
2004/4/4 28 26 23 22 20 18 78 73 62 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 23 5 - 0.00  
2004/4/5 28 26 23 22 20 18 83 70 62 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 26 6 - 0.00  
2004/4/6 28 26 23 22 21 20 83 71 58 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 29 8 - 0.00  
2004/4/7 28 26 23 23 21 21 83 77 70 1014 1012 1011 - 11 11 27 6 - 0.00  
2004/4/8 30 27 25 25 22 21 89 78 70 1013 1012 1010 - 11 11 26 8 - 0.00  
2004/4/9 28 26 23 25 22 21 89 81 74 1014 1012 1012 - 11 11 19 0 - 0.00  
2004/4/10 28 26 25 25 23 22 94 84 74 1014 1013 1011 - 11 11 21 0 - 0.00  
2004/4/11 30 27 25 25 22 22 94 81 62 1013 1011 1009 - 11 11 26 5 - 0.00  
2004/4/12 30 27 25 26 22 21 89 78 66 1013 1011 1010 - 11 11 27 6 - 0.00 Rain
2004/4/13 30 26 23 25 21 21 84 78 74 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 24 5 - 0.00  
2004/4/14 28 26 25 23 22 22 89 81 74 1017 1015 1014 - 11 11 26 5 - 0.00 Rain
2004/4/15 25 24 23 22 21 17 83 70 57 1018 1016 1014 - 11 11 32 23 - 0.00 Rain
2003 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2003/4/1 28 26 25 22 20 20 89 71 58 1018 1017 1015 - 11 11 35 26 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/2 28 26 23 22 19 18 83 73 66 1018 1016 1015 - 11 11 37 24 - 0.00  
2003/4/3 28 27 25 22 21 17 74 69 58 1017 1015 1013 - 11 11 32 23 - 0.00  
2003/4/4 30 27 25 23 21 21 89 75 66 1015 1013 1011 - 11 11 27 11 - 0.00  
2003/4/5 30 27 25 25 22 21 84 79 66 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 26 6 - 0.00  
2003/4/6 30 27 25 25 23 22 89 79 70 1014 1013 1011 - 11 11 35 11 - 0.00  
2003/4/7 30 27 25 25 22 21 89 77 70 1014 1013 1011 - 11 11 37 13 - 0.00  
2003/4/8 30 27 25 23 22 22 83 76 66 1014 1012 1010 - 11 11 32 13 - 0.00  
2003/4/9 30 27 25 23 22 22 84 75 66 1014 1013 1011 - 11 11 24 8 - 0.00  
2003/4/10 30 26 23 22 22 22 94 79 66 1014 1013 1011 - 10 1 24 6 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/11 27 26 25 25 22 22 89 82 78 1014 1012 1010 - 10 4 26 6 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/12 28 26 23 32 24 22 100 85 74 1016 1013 1012 - 11 11 10 3 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/13 28 26 25 25 23 22 89 85 74 1018 1016 1015 - 11 7 27 5 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/14 30 26 23 26 23 22 100 86 74 1018 1016 1014 - 11 6 24 3 - 0.00 Rain
2003/4/15 28 26 23 25 23 22 94 85 66 1015 1014 1011 - 10 4 24 3 - 0.00 Rain
2002 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2002/4/1 30 27 23 23 20 20 89 71 58 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 32 10 - 0.00  
2002/4/2 30 26 23 22 21 21 83 72 62 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 35 10 - 0.00  
2002/4/3 30 27 25 23 21 21 83 75 70 1017 1015 1014 - 11 8 27 5 - 0.00 Rain
2002/4/4 30 27 25 23 22 22 89 76 70 1018 1016 1015 - 11 11 19 6 - 0.00  
2002/4/5 30 27 25 23 22 22 84 76 70 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 19 3 - 0.00  
2002/4/6 30 27 25 22 21 20 79 69 55 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 29 16 - 0.00  
2002/4/7 30 27 25 22 21 16 78 65 51 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 35 13 - 0.00  
2002/4/8 28 27 25 22 20 20 74 67 62 1017 1015 1014 - 11 11 55 21 - 0.00 Rain
2002/4/9 27 25 22 23 21 20 89 78 70 1020 1017 1016 - 10 5 29 11 - 0.00 Rain
2002/4/10 28 26 25 21 20 16 78 64 48 1018 1017 1014 - 11 11 39 14 - 0.00  
2002/4/11 28 26 23 22 20 17 74 66 57 1018 1016 1014 - 11 11 40 18 - 0.00  
2002/4/12 28 26 23 21 19 17 74 67 58 1016 1015 1014 - 11 11 39 19 - 0.00  
2002/4/13 28 26 23 22 18 17 74 66 54 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 29 10 - 0.00  
2002/4/14 28 26 23 22 19 18 74 68 58 1017 1015 1014 - 11 11 27 6 - 0.00  
2002/4/15 30 27 25 22 20 18 83 71 62 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 27 8 - 0.00  
2001 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
2001/4/1 28 26 23 22 19 18 74 71 66 1016 1013 1012 - 11 11 19 5 - 0.00  
2001/4/2 30 27 25 23 22 22 84 73 66 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 24 6 - 0.00 Rain
2001/4/3 28 26 25 23 22 20 84 77 70 1018 1016 1014 - 11 11 35 13 - 0.00 Rain
2001/4/4 28 26 23 22 20 18 78 72 66 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 32 13 - 0.00  
2001/4/5 28 26 23 22 20 20 83 70 62 1017 1015 1013 - 11 11 32 11 - 0.00 Rain
2001/4/6 28 27 25 22 21 21 74 70 66 1017 1016 1015 - 11 8 50 26 - 0.00  
2001/4/7 28 26 25 23 21 21 84 79 74 1019 1017 1015 - 11 8 32 14 - 0.00 Rain
2001/4/8 30 27 25 23 22 22 83 76 70 1018 1017 1015 - 11 11 32 11 - 0.00  
2001/4/9 30 27 25 22 20 -22 89 78 66 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 32 11 - 0.00  
2001/4/10 28 26 23 23 22 21 84 77 66 1015 1014 1012 - 11 8 29 10 - 0.00  
2001/4/11 30 27 25 23 21 21 78 74 66 1017 1014 1013 - 11 11 34 11 - 0.00  
2001/4/12 30 27 25 23 21 18 78 71 61 1018 1016 1014 - 11 11 40 18 - 0.00  
2001/4/13 28 27 25 23 21 20 84 77 69 1019 1017 1015 - 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
2001/4/14 28 26 25 22 21 20 79 74 70 1017 1015 1013 - 11 11 32 10 - 0.00  
2001/4/15 28 26 25 23 21 20 84 75 65 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 29 8 - 0.00  
1999 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
1999/4/1 28 26 23 27 24 23 100 91 79 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 39 11 - 0.00  
1999/4/2 28 26 23 27 25 23 100 92 84 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 26 6 - 0.00  
1999/4/3 28 26 25 27 25 25 100 92 84 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 34 10 - 0.00  
1999/4/4 28 26 23 25 25 22 100 89 74 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
1999/4/5 30 26 23 23 21 16 100 76 43 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 29 11 - 0.00  
1999/4/6 28 26 23 23 22 18 100 78 62 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 26 8 - 0.00  
1999/4/7 28 26 23 25 22 22 100 82 66 1018 1017 1015 - 11 11 32 13 - 0.00  
1999/4/8 28 25 22 26 23 22 100 90 74 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 32 11 - 0.00 Rain
1999/4/9 28 25 22 27 23 22 100 90 74 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 29 6 - 0.00  
1999/4/10 28 26 23 27 24 22 100 91 70 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 27 8 - 0.00  
1999/4/11 28 26 25 27 25 25 100 94 89 1018 1016 1015 - 11 11 37 6 - 0.00  
1999/4/12 28 26 23 26 25 23 100 89 74 1017 1016 1015 - 11 11 26 5 - 0.00  
1999/4/13 30 27 25 27 25 25 100 90 74 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 11 3 - 0.00  
1999/4/14 30 26 23 27 25 22 100 90 70 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 27 8 - 0.00  
1999/4/15 30 27 25 27 23 21 100 84 66 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 34 10 - 0.00  
1998 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
1998/4/1 30 27 25 25 23 22 89 81 74 1014 1013 1012 - 11 11 29 10 - 0.00 Rain
1998/4/2 30 27 25 23 23 22 94 80 62 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 32 10 - 0.00  
1998/4/3 28 26 23 25 23 22 100 81 66 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 27 11 - 0.00  
1998/4/4 30 27 25 23 23 21 94 80 62 1014 1013 1010 - 11 11 13 0 - 0.00 Rain
1998/4/5 30 27 23 25 21 20 89 72 55 1011 1010 1009 - 11 11 14 0 - 0.00  
1998/4/6 30 27 25 23 23 22 94 79 66 1012 1010 1009 - 11 11 14 3 - 0.00  
1998/4/7 30 27 25 25 23 20 94 76 58 1014 1012 1011 - 11 11 32 11 - 0.00  
1998/4/8 30 27 23 26 22 18 94 77 55 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 29 8 - 0.00  
1998/4/9 30 27 25 26 22 20 89 77 58 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 27 6 - 0.00  
1998/4/10 30 27 25 26 22 22 94 80 66 1014 1013 1011 - 11 11 16 5 - 0.00  
1998/4/11 30 27 25 26 24 22 100 84 58 1014 1013 1012 - 11 9 23 3 - 0.00 Rain
1998/4/12 27 25 23 21 16 12 78 56 37 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 27 27 - 0.00  
1998/4/13 27 25 23 18 17 15 73 58 51 1017 1015 1013 - 11 11 34 14 - 0.00  
1998/4/14 27 25 22 20 16 16 69 60 54 1017 1016 1014 - 11 11 37 18 - 0.00  
1998/4/15 28 25 22 22 17 17 78 68 54 1016 1015 1012 - 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
1997 Temp. (°C) Dew Point (°C) Humidity (%) Sea Level Pressure (hPa) Visibility (km) Wind (km/h) Gust Speed (km/h) Precip (cm) Events
April high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg low high avg high sum  
1997/4/1 30 26 23 23 22 21 94 80 66 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 11 6 - 0.00  
1997/4/2 28 26 23 25 23 18 100 85 69 1015 1014 1013 - 11 11 34 13 - 0.00  
1997/4/3 26 25 23 22 21 17 89 72 61 1016 1014 1013 - 11 11 37 18 - 0.00  
1997/4/4 27 25 22 20 18 17 78 69 54 1016 1014 1012 - 11 11 39 19 - 0.00  
1997/4/5 27 24 21 23 19 17 100 78 62 1016 1014 1012 - 11 9 35 14 - 0.00 Rain
1997/4/6 27 25 22 22 21 18 100 79 58 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 39 19 - 0.00 Rain
1997/4/7 27 25 22 21 20 17 88 72 51 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 27 11 - 0.00  
1997/4/8 27 24 21 22 20 18 89 76 62 1014 1012 1010 - 11 11 26 2 - 0.00  
1997/4/9 27 25 22 22 20 17 88 74 54 1013 1012 1010 - 11 11 34 8 - 0.00  
1997/4/10 27 25 23 22 21 20 89 76 62 1015 1012 1012 - 11 11 29 10 - 0.00  
1997/4/11 27 25 22 22 21 18 88 77 61 1015 1014 1012 - 11 11 34 14 - 0.00  
1997/4/12 28 15 1 22 19 17 100 71 54 1014 1012 1010 - 11 10 24 3 - 0.00 Rain
1997/4/13 28 25 22 22 20 18 83 77 66 1014 1012 1010 - 11 11 42 14 - 0.00  
1997/4/14 27 24 21 22 20 17 89 77 61 1015 1013 1012 - 11 11 29 13 - 0.00  
1997/4/15 28 25 22 25 21 18 100 82 61 1016 1015 1013 - 11 11 19 5 - 0.00  

 

 

attached: The picture I took from my roof today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



OMG, Sweet deal for Yahoo! users/friends: Get A Month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. W00t

Attachment: DSCN0620.JPG
Description: JPEG image


- Quiet weather,
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:55:50 -0700 (PDT)
Mostly cloudy skies across much of the island today as subsidence is in firm control across muc of the region.We are expecting more great weather until Tuesday/Wednesday. When a cold front will move in the area.
 
Word on the streets
Well everybody is talking about the free healthcare for all Jamaica to take effect in 72 hrs.  Some people are saying,"It is impossible, we cannot afford it", "It will be a strain on our health system! , we dont have enough health personnel" ,"They are going to kill us with tax".
While others are saying ,"It is definetly possible, It is a step in  acheiving first world status", "Government promised free tution for all and we get it with no problem,so what the difference here".
 
Well, we will have to wait for 72 more hours to have an idea, but the debate goes on . below is full story on this issue from Radio Jamaica.
 
All systems go for free health care on April 1
 
The Ministry of Health has said all is in place for the April One abolition of user fees at health care facilities.

At a press conference held on Friday to outline provisions made for the new regime, Health Minister Ruddy Spencer sought to cover all concerns related to the April One changes.    

Mr. Spencer assured the audience that free health care was not an April Fool's Day trick as he explained how the new health care regime will work.       

"I want to assure you that April One is not Tom Fool's Day. Come April One we are removing that barrier and Jamaicans will be able to access that care free of cost," said Mr. Spencer.

"We have already disbursed $60 million to the regions. We have also retained a certain amount to assist with the purchasing of some critical items that we will need so that when they descend upon these facilities we will have things in place,"

He professed his confidence in the new system saying all players in the health sector were consulted in the lead up to the change.

Targeting critics of his administration's move to transform health care, Mr. Spencer revealed several strategies implemented to address inadequacies in the sector.

"One of the things our critics keep saying is that we can't afford it. It is not possible to do it, they are rolling it out on April One because they know what kind of day that is,"

"Let me assist you in enlightening the public, that all the records that I have looked at there is no year where we have been able to collect more than 15 per cent of that total cost. In other words the 85 per cent had to be found somewhere else, picked up by the government. So essentially what we are picking up is the 15 per cent that we used to collect," he continued.  

On the matter of equipment, Mr. Spencer assured that $40 million has been earmarked for the purchasing of small equipment such as stethoscopes, examination lamps, autoclaves and nebulisers.

He added that provision is also being made to enhance the physical plants of some facilities.

The ticklish issue of the shortage of doctors and nurses was seen by the minister as a work in progress.

Mr. Spencer said long term plans have been put in place to recruit foreign and local health care workers.

However he said the new system will for now have to operate with its current staff complement.

Mr. Spencer said in order to deal with what the Ministry expects to be a 30 per cent increase in patients accessing public health care, opening hours for these facilities will be extended and health care providers will work overtime.

Under the new system registration, doctor's examination fees, hospital stay, drugs, surgeries, renal dialysis, ante-natal care and radiation treatment are just some of the services that will be free.

And some workers in health care facilities will be re-deployed other duties as the new regime takes effect.

The Health Minister told RJR News that these workers including cashiers will be deployed to other areas of the Ministry. 

The cashiers will no longer be needed as there will be no collection of fees for services at clinics and public hospitals.

Source Radio Jamaica
 
Link 
 
 
 
Have a good day. Below the skyline of our beautiful capital city, Kingston.
 
 
Emancipation Park at night (Kingston)
 
 
source:panramio by by Roger Moreno


Special deal for Yahoo! users & friends - No Cost. Get a month of Blockbuster Total Access now

- Unmanned drones to help with hurricane forecasting, will be flown from Jamaica and Barbados (corrected to show link)
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:11:12 -0700 (PDT)

We managed to squeeze some rain out the stationary front before it wilted. In the morning hours, we received some moderate rainfall in total 0.66in/13.7mm. Seems a little, but it is better than nothing. There is still a change for very light rainfall as there is a trough in the area which sustains a moist pattern across much of the basin. It should persist for the next 3 days and daily widely scattered amounts of 0-5mm daily with Maxima 10-15mm likely. It should be however sunny for the most part.

 

 

Very Interesting news  from South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Unmanned drones to help with hurricane forecasting, will be flown from Jamaica and Barbados

This summer, a fleet of small unmanned aircraft, similar to radio-controlled models sold by hobby stores, is to be launched into the heart of hurricanes to beam back information that may sharpen the accuracy of tropical forecasts, scientists say.

But the satellite-linked drones likely won't be permitted to conduct reconnaissance missions into storms that approach the U.S. coastline, the upshot of a bureaucratic tiff between two federal agencies.

The Federal Aviation Administration has refused to authorize the planes, called Aerosondes, to fly near the U.S. mainland or adjacent international waters, saying they could endanger planes fleeing a hurricane.

The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to deploy the 30-pound drones from coastal Virginia or Key West and argues they would operate far from normal air routes.

Until the two agencies come to an agreement, NOAA plans to launch the winged probes from Jamaica or Barbados during the 2008 hurricane season into storms that pose an initial threat to the Caribbean.

Missions flown from those tropical islands still would allow scientists to hone the Aerosonde program, which will be conducted on an experimental basis, said Joseph Cione, NOAA's principal investigator for unmanned aerial system research.

"The endgame is to improve forecasts and save lives and property," he said.

Although Aerosondes have been flying into storms, exploring arctic regions and undertaking other scientific missions for about seven years, NOAA wants to step up their use this year.

Scientists hope the drones will provide new clues about the still-mysterious cores of hurricanes — and specifically, the process that allows them to strengthen. Manufactured by Aerosonde, based in Melbourne, Australia, the propeller-driven weather probes, which cost more than $50,000 each, are engineering marvels.

Equipped with a 1.6-horsepower engine and flight management computer, the drone can fly an astonishing 2,300 miles on 1.5 gallons of fuel at a cruising speed of about 60 mph. With such stamina, the drones can be directed into a hurricane and drift in its swirling winds for more than 20 hours. After enduring the turbulence, they are rugged enough to return to their home base intact.

Though Aerosondes might be considered the cousins of military drones, they aren't nearly as big or powerful. The U.S. Air Force Predator, for instance, weighs up to 2,250 pounds, is equipped with a 115-horsepower engine and can be armed with laser-guided missiles.

By flying as low as 300 feet above the ocean, an altitude far too dangerous for manned aircraft, the Aerosondes can transmit temperature, wind, barometric pressure and humidity readings from that important slice of the atmosphere to the
National Hurricane Center, said Cione, who is based in Miami.

No other technology is available to obtain such key information instantaneously, the NOAA official said. After feeding the data into forecast models, the hurricane center should be able to better determine a storm's structure and warn which areas of Florida and other at-risk states stand to be hit hardest.

Aerosondes already have demonstrated a tenacious ability to examine storms.

One flew for 17.5 hours in Hurricane Noel last November and another for 10 hours in Hurricane Ophelia in September 2005. The planes provided a better understanding of how thermal energy is transferred from the warm ocean to the storm above it, Cione said.

"If we don't understand that, we will never have really accurate forecasts, so it's a critical region," he said.

From the FAA's point of view, the problem with the drone is that when a hurricane approaches, residents in cars aren't the only ones who flee.In Florida alone, thousands of airplanes and helicopters belonging to airlines, flight schools, private individuals and the U.S. military also would retreat, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said.

"We want to be sure that the unmanned aerial system operations can be done safely without impacting any of those aircraft that are evacuating — or the hurricane hunters," she said.

The FAA does intend to issue NOAA and its partner in the Aerosonde program,
NASA, permission to fly the small planes, Bergen said. But she said that would be with restrictions and would come too late to affect flights during the 2008 hurricane season, which starts June 1 and lasts six months.

Anson Franklin, NOAA spokesman, said his agency will continue to "work closely" with the FAA to find a way to eventually operate the drones from U.S. bases.

"We will still be able to find some ways to continue testing the unmanned aerial system without running afoul of any regulations," he said.

The Aerosondes are part of a broader NOAA program to use unmanned aircraft to monitor global events, such as arctic ice melting, volcanic lava flows and changes in fish and whale populations. NOAA recently invested an additional $3 million in its overall unmanned aircraft program.

Aerosondes already have flown more than 1,000 hours in the Arctic yet are so flexible that they also can fly in baking Sahara heat, said Daniel Fowler, a drone operator with the Aerosonde firm. He said the plane is constructed with tough polymers, such as those used in bulletproof vests, and other advanced materials.

Fowler said the probe is normally launched from the back of a moving vehicle via radio controls, like many model airplanes. Then control is transferred to satellite, with an operator in a mission command post taking charge.

"Once on satellite, the operator can be anywhere on the face of the planet, talking to the plane," he said.

In the future, Aerosondes might help forecasters better anticipate when tropical systems might rapidly intensify, a phenomenon that until now has been hard to foresee, said Chris Landsea, science and operations officer at the National Hurricane Center.

He said the drones might also help determine the size of storms, information that would help emergency managers better plan for evacuations.

Ken Kaye

Photo from Florida Sun Sentinel

 

Links shows the original story and a actual video of how the process works.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbdrones0323sbmar25,0,2643645.story



Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

- Unmanned drones to help with hurricane forecasting, will be flown from Jamaica and Barbados
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:07:56 -0700 (PDT)

We managed to squeeze some rain out the stationary front before it wilted. In the morning hours, we received some moderate rainfall in total 0.66in/13.7mm. Seems a little, but it is better than nothing. There is still a change for very light rainfall as there is a trough in the area which sustains a moist pattern across much of the basin. It should persist for the next 3 days and daily widely scattered amounts of 0-5mm daily with Maxima 10-15mm likely. It should be however sunny for the most part.

 

 

Very Interesting news  from South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Unmanned drones to help with hurricane forecasting, will be flown from Jamaica and Barbados

This summer, a fleet of small unmanned aircraft, similar to radio-controlled models sold by hobby stores, is to be launched into the heart of hurricanes to beam back information that may sharpen the accuracy of tropical forecasts, scientists say.

But the satellite-linked drones likely won't be permitted to conduct reconnaissance missions into storms that approach the U.S. coastline, the upshot of a bureaucratic tiff between two federal agencies.

The Federal Aviation Administration has refused to authorize the planes, called Aerosondes, to fly near the U.S. mainland or adjacent international waters, saying they could endanger planes fleeing a hurricane.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to deploy the 30-pound drones from coastal Virginia or Key West and argues they would operate far from normal air routes.

Until the two agencies come to an agreement, NOAA plans to launch the winged probes from Jamaica or Barbados during the 2008 hurricane season into storms that pose an initial threat to the Caribbean.

Missions flown from those tropical islands still would allow scientists to hone the Aerosonde program, which will be conducted on an experimental basis, said Joseph Cione, NOAA's principal investigator for unmanned aerial system research.

"The endgame is to improve forecasts and save lives and property," he said.

Although Aerosondes have been flying into storms, exploring arctic regions and undertaking other scientific missions for about seven years, NOAA wants to step up their use this year.

Scientists hope the drones will provide new clues about the still-mysterious cores of hurricanes — and specifically, the process that allows them to strengthen. Manufactured by Aerosonde, based in Melbourne, Australia, the propeller-driven weather probes, which cost more than $50,000 each, are engineering marvels.

Equipped with a 1.6-horsepower engine and flight management computer, the drone can fly an astonishing 2,300 miles on 1.5 gallons of fuel at a cruising speed of about 60 mph. With such stamina, the drones can be directed into a hurricane and drift in its swirling winds for more than 20 hours. After enduring the turbulence, they are rugged enough to return to their home base intact.

Though Aerosondes might be considered the cousins of military drones, they aren't nearly as big or powerful. The U.S. Air Force Predator, for instance, weighs up to 2,250 pounds, is equipped with a 115-horsepower engine and can be armed with laser-guided missiles.

By flying as low as 300 feet above the ocean, an altitude far too dangerous for manned aircraft, the Aerosondes can transmit temperature, wind, barometric pressure and humidity readings from that important slice of the atmosphere to the National Hurricane Center, said Cione, who is based in Miami.

No other technology is available to obtain such key information instantaneously, the NOAA official said. After feeding the data into forecast models, the hurricane center should be able to better determine a storm's structure and warn which areas of Florida and other at-risk states stand to be hit hardest.

Aerosondes already have demonstrated a tenacious ability to examine storms.

One flew for 17.5 hours in Hurricane Noel last November and another for 10 hours in Hurricane Ophelia in September 2005. The planes provided a better understanding of how thermal energy is transferred from the warm ocean to the storm above it, Cione said.

"If we don't understand that, we will never have really accurate forecasts, so it's a critical region," he said.

From the FAA's point of view, the problem with the drone is that when a hurricane approaches, residents in cars aren't the only ones who flee.In Florida alone, thousands of airplanes and helicopters belonging to airlines, flight schools, private individuals and the U.S. military also would retreat, FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said.

"We want to be sure that the unmanned aerial system operations can be done safely without impacting any of those aircraft that are evacuating — or the hurricane hunters," she said.

The FAA does intend to issue NOAA and its partner in the Aerosonde program, NASA, permission to fly the small planes, Bergen said. But she said that would be with restrictions and would come too late to affect flights during the 2008 hurricane season, which starts June 1 and lasts six months.

Anson Franklin, NOAA spokesman, said his agency will continue to "work closely" with the FAA to find a way to eventually operate the drones from U.S. bases.

"We will still be able to find some ways to continue testing the unmanned aerial system without running afoul of any regulations," he said.

The Aerosondes are part of a broader NOAA program to use unmanned aircraft to monitor global events, such as arctic ice melting, volcanic lava flows and changes in fish and whale populations. NOAA recently invested an additional $3 million in its overall unmanned aircraft program.

Aerosondes already have flown more than 1,000 hours in the Arctic yet are so flexible that they also can fly in baking Sahara heat, said Daniel Fowler, a drone operator with the Aerosonde firm. He said the plane is constructed with tough polymers, such as those used in bulletproof vests, and other advanced materials.

Fowler said the probe is normally launched from the back of a moving vehicle via radio controls, like many model airplanes. Then control is transferred to satellite, with an operator in a mission command post taking charge.

"Once on satellite, the operator can be anywhere on the face of the planet, talking to the plane," he said.

In the future, Aerosondes might help forecasters better anticipate when tropical systems might rapidly intensify, a phenomenon that until now has been hard to foresee, said Chris Landsea, science and operations officer at the National Hurricane Center.

He said the drones might also help determine the size of storms, information that would help emergency managers better plan for evacuations.

Ken Kaye

Photo from Florida Sun Sentinel

 

Links shows the original story and a actual video of how the process works.

 



Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

- Stationary front across the island.
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:16:17 -0700 (PDT)
Mostly cloudy skies and a few periods of very light showers observed today. All thanks to a stationary front extending from a low over Honduras.The front as been over the island since early this morning .It has been producing very scattered, hit and miss showers. Just checking out  some observations, both internatonal airport reported light rainfall throughout today, but not see any precip reports.
Links daily temperature and precipitation data for select caribbean cities
 
 
The stationary front will dissipate by  tommorow (Thursday) , but hopefully we can squezze some rain out of it for  our farming areas in southern Jamaica .They have been hit hard with drought and bush fires.An additional 5-10mm and maxima of 15-25mm are expected from through the next 36hrs.
 
Link latest caribbean surface analysis
 
Latest Carib satellite imagery
 
 
Carib weather models
 
Caribbean weather discussions (technical)
 
 
Learn more about the weather through these learning modules.
 
 
 
Throughout today's blog I have highlighted a few good caribbean weather links for all the avid weather enthusiasts .
 
Tommorrow is the opening of Parliament in Jamaica. Many persons will be watching to hear about the budget. It will be the first time in 18 years, the JLP will presenting as incumbent.
 
A good radio link for persons interested in listening and learning Jamaican culture is
 
 
Have a good day.Below is today sea-surface temperatures .Folks its getting warm.Remember ocean waters have to be 26.5 deg Celsius for hurricanes to form.
Blayz
 
 
 


Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

- Increasing chance for showers
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:10:14 -0700 (PDT)
A nice weather day with partly cloudy skies for much of the day . This changed as the day progressed, dark clouds began streaming from the northwest, and very light rain showers occurred.
 My rain gauge is saying 0.16in/0.4cm/4.05mm.The rain was welcomed as much of Jamaica is experiencing drought conditions, however today?s rainfall was so light, it only created a few 
puddles which have subsequently evaporated.   Today?s weather has been influenced by a pre-frontal trough in the area. There is however more hope for rainfall, a cold front is on the way 
and rainfall is expected for the next 48hrs. At 18z the cold front was located from Belize-Western Cuba-Northern Bahamas extending from a developing low off the southeast coast of the US. 
This front will be across the island tomorrow (Tuesday) then move east towards Haiti on Wednesday. Accumulation of 5-10mm daily are expected.
Great weather prog website for carib
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwpara/analysis/index_carib.shtml
Below March 24  00utc gfs model run?.24hrs surface.
 
 
 


Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

- Giant swells
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:18:26 -0700 (PDT)
 

Dangerous waves to batter the Lesser Antilles

 

 

Nice weather here in Jamaica, but I had to blog this morning out of extreme concern for the islands. A dangerous weather situation is developing. This will affect our neighbors in the Eastern Caribbean, from Puerto Rico in the North, to St. Vincent and Trinidad in the south. Once large, powerful and lingering North Atlantic Ocean low pressure area is and will continue to generate extreme swells. These will reach the islands in the today and Friday.

Marine conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the morning, with swells in the region of 13-14 feet. On Friday waves will continue to be high 12-13 feet but will die down to 9-10 feet Saturday. Some areas in the period could see swells in excess of 15 feet!

There are buoys east of Martinique right now reporting 13ft waves.

Another big story are the low temperatures being reported in the Eastern Caribbean this morning as the tail end of a cold front move through temps 18-20 deg c

Coastal flooding is possible especially in northern and eastern sections of islands facing the Atlantic Ocean. I strongly urge residents and tourists to avoid the beaches during the period, as dangerous rip currents pose a possible threat.  Small craft operators should stay put until winds and seas die down. In fact, I would recommend that mariners secure their vessels against these waves as they could do serious damage.

Persons should listen to bulletins issued by their local meteorological and emergency management services for more information.

Take care of yourself and family,

Blayz



Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

- ODPEM Press Release #2: Oil Spill in Kingston Harbour Successfully Cleaned Up – Marine Environment Safe
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:20:04 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please see attached ODPEM Press Release #2 concerning the oil spill that occurred in the Kingston Harbour on Wednesday, March 12, 2008:



With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Press Release2_Thursday, March 13, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- We must be able to beat Barbados!!!
  • From: "Corinne Smith" <corinne at smithwarner.com>
  • Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:17:41 -0500
 Come on everyone! Sign up now!

http://www.earthhour.org/about/ranking


- Earth hour
  • From: "Corinne Smith" <corinne at smithwarner.com>
  • Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:08:47 -0500
   
  
TURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF MARCH 29.  Mark your calendar and join WWF and our 
partners in the global ³Earth Hour² movement by turning your
lights off from 8-9 p.m. on March 29.   Your simple action of switching off the 
lights for one hour, combined with millions of others doing the same thing, 
will deliver a powerful message to the citizens and leaders of the world about 
the need for action on climate change.   What is Earth Hour? A
global event created to symbolize that each of us, working together, can make a 
positive impact on climate change,no matter who we are or where we live. 
Starting at 8 pm local time on March 29, 2008, individuals, communities and 
businesses around the world will "turn off the lights" for one hour.  Where 
Will the Lights Go Off?  Everyone around the world is encouraged to be involved 
and shut the lights off in their homes and businesses. Major participation is 
planned in 25 cities around the world, on six continents. Four Earth Hour 
flagship cities in the United States - Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix and San 
Francisco - are leading the way. Other participating U.S. cities include 
Denver, Miami and Charlotte.

Globally, Copenhagen, Sydney, Manila, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Dublin and Toronto are 
among the cities that will be involved. What can I do?
 
 1. Sign up to participat
<http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=evHHISGT5rfLd5fmhVnfsA..> e in Earth 
Hour. Pledge to turn off your lights from 8-9 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
During that hour, replace old light bulbs with energy-efficient compact 
fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and commit to reducing energy consumption in the year 
ahead. 

2. Tell your friends about Earth Hour.
<http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=XsyYiPJa9afWKLuJ-ttSpA..>
 Share this message with your friends and family to encourage them to join with 
you (and millions of others) in support of Earth Hour. Thank you for taking a 
stand against global warming<the greatest threat our planet has ever faced.  
Sincerely,
  
   
 



- State of the art doppler radar for the region for the Hurricane Season
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 15:56:50 -0800 (PST)

Source:Wmo website

http://www.wmo.ch/pages/mediacentre/news/index_en.html

Caribbean weather radar installation nears completion
(posted on 29 February)

The long-awaited Doppler weather radar, being installed by the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO), is nearing completion at Brasso Venado in Trinidad and Tobago. This state-of-the-art project is funded by the European Union and will be completed within a few weeks. It will form part of the Caribbean Early Warning System for predicting and monitoring severe weather conditions.

 

CMO press release

 

CARIBBEAN METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

INFORMATION RELEASE

WEATHER RADAR INSTALLATION NEAR COMPLETION

 

Port-of-Spain, 29 February 2008 – The long-awaited Doppler Weather Radar, being installed by

the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO), is nearing completion at Brasso Venado in the

district of Tabaquite in the central range of Trinidad.

 

The weather radar which is under installation in Trinidad & Tobago is part of a 13.2 million Euro (approx

TT$ 128 million) Caribbean weather radar network project funded by the European Union and

implemented by the Port of Spain-based Caribbean Meteorological Organization. The weather radar at

Brasso Venado is a sophisticated state-of-the-art system built by the Selex-Gematronix company of

Germany, which has been placed on a five-storey 20-metre reinforced concrete tower that will house the

related equipment.

 

 

The CMO is also installing similar new weather radars in Guyana, Barbados and Belize. These four

radars will be linked with other existing radars in the Caribbean to form a modern network of nine radars

that will be a key component in the Caribbean Early Warning System for predicting and monitoring

severe weather conditions.

 

Mr Tyrone Sutherland, Coordinating Director of the CMO, said that “the installation of the radar at

Brasso Venado will be completed within weeks, after which a period of extensive testing will take place.

The Caribbean Meteorological Organization expects to hand the radar over to the Government of

Trinidad & Tobago for operational use by the Meteorological Service in time for the start of the 2008

hurricane season. The weather radar will provide complete coverage of both islands and out to a

distance of 400 km, enabling meteorologists to provide more accurate and timely information on all kinds

of severe weather, such as approaching tropical storm and hurricanes, heavy rainfall events, etc.

Information from the radar will be made available by the Meteorological Services to the public, national

disaster preparedness and emergency agencies and other users in Trinidad & Tobago and throughout

the Caribbean via the Internet and the media. In other words, both specialists and the general public will

be able to ‘see’ approaching weather on the radars for themselves.

.

For more information please contact:

Caribbean Meteorological Organization Headquarters

P.O. Box 461, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (1 868) 624 4481; Fax: (1 868) 623 3634

E-mail: CMOHQ at cmo.org.tt or hqcmo at tstt.net.tt

 

 

 

 



Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

- ODPEM's 5th Annual National Disaster Management Conference (NDMC), Rosehall Resort & Country Club, Montego Bay, St. James, March 6-7, 2008
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 09:43:42 -0500

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen,

As you are aware, the ODPEM will be staging the 5th annual National Disaster Management Conference (NDMC) from March 6-7, 2008. It will be held at the Rosehall Resort and Country Club in Montego Bay, St. James.

This year’s Conference will address two very important areas of risk management and risk reduction: landslides and earthquakes.

A major goal of NDMC 2008 is to enhance the efforts of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to continue to lead in facilitating the dialogue and action towards the shift from a response driven hazard management programme to an integrated risk management approach. Through a carefully designed programme, conference participants will share and examine information on landslide and earthquake risks, trends, emerging technologies, tools and innovations and best practices that can be employed to reduce the risk and vulnerability to these hazards.

To this end we will be playing host to an eclectic mixture of participants who will be sharing, networking and learning from each other about these two major hazards to Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Please see attached the NDMC 2008 Agenda that will give you a better idea of the mixture of presentations that will indeed make this an NDMC never to be forgotten, as well as the Conference's concept paper:



To all those who will not be able to attend this year's Conference, you can contact us for copies of any presentations of interest to you.

Thank you again for your continuing interest and partnership in the work of the ODPEM.

With kind regards,


Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Agenda_NDMC 2008.doc
Description: Binary data

Attachment: Background Paper_NDMC 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- Media Advisory #2: Handing-Over Ceremony of Hurricane Dean Assistance Cheque from the Bible Society of the West Indies, to the ODPEM
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:40:26 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please see attached ODPEM Media Advisory #2 concerning the handing-over of Hurricane Dean assistance cheque from the Bible Society of the West Indies on Wednesday, February 20, 2008:



Your coverage of and participation in this event is most anticipated.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Media Advisory2_Handing Over Ceremony_Wednesday, February 20, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- Nice weather,Monthly Averages of Climatological Data for Montego Bay (Sangster International Airport)
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:30:00 -0800 (PST)
It is a bit cool this morning , but shaping up to be another nice day.The sunny 
is already ou shining brightly. I was reading a through an environmental impact 
assement for a hotel currently be built in my community ,Club Hotel RIU and 
found some very interesting Climatological Data for Montego Bay . which I 
thougt might be of interest to persons .

Monthly Averages of Climatological Data for Montego Bay (Sangster International 
Airport) source
CLUBHOTEL RIUMONTEGO BAY EIA from
www.nepa.gov.jm/index.asp



the data is attached for those interested


      
____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?  
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.  
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

Attachment: Monthly Averages of Climatological Data for Montego Bay.doc
Description: Binary data


- Handing-Over Ceremony of Hurricane Dean Assistance Cheque from the Bible Society of the West Indies, to the ODPEM
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:02:41 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please see attached ODPEM Media Advisory #1 concerning the handing-over of Hurricane Dean assistance cheque from the Bible Society of the West Indies on Wednesday, February 20, 2008:



Your coverage of and participation in this event is most anticipated.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Media Advisory1_Handing Over Ceremony_Tuesday, February 19, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- A few raindrops
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:14:38 -0800 (PST)
It has been very dry here in Montego Bay;in fact, I can't remeber when it last 
rained, I think maybe once this year. Today, when the dark threaten clouds 
streamed across the horizon . I had high expectations that we would get a least 
a nice refreshing rain shower ,but to my surprise there were only a I few 
raindrops ,which evaporated almost immediately as they reached the ground. 

Other stuff 

As the Us candidate election rages, Jamaican's favorite candiate is by far 
Senator Barack Obama. I was listening to a local radio station opinion poll and 
persons were asked who would they like see become U.S president. Out of the 20 
responses, 18 said they wanted Obama to win and two persons responded Hilary 
Clinton, there was no mention of the any Republican candadaites .Speaking of 
Republic candidate, Our neighbours to the north(Cuba) are closely watching the 
US candidate elections, Fidel Castro , on Monday wrote a letter Reflections of 
President Fidel Castro Republican candidate .
In this letter he writes his opinion of Republic Candidate John McCain . I have 
attached a english translation for those interested.

The source of the attached letter is Cuba's state newspaper The Granma.
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html

New Technology check it out . Weather Channel interactive weather map combines 
Google virtual earth and great satellite imagery.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/map/interactive/JMXX0003?from=search
I will be able to blog often until late June .n


      
____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?  
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.  
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

Attachment: Ele.doc
Description: Binary data


- A few rain drops
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:57:08 -0800 (PST)
It has been very dry here in Montego Bay;in fact, I can't remeber when it last 
rained, I think maybe once this year. Today, when the dark threaten clouds 
streamed across the horizon . I had high expectations that we would get a least 
a nice refreshing rain shower ,but to my surprise there were only a I few 
raindrops ,which evaporated almost immediately as they reached the ground. 

Other issues 

As the Us candidate election rages, Jamaican's favorite candiate is by far 
Senator Barack Obama. I was listening to a local radio station opinion poll and 
persons were asked who would they like see become U.S president. Out of the 20 
responses, 18 said they wanted Obama to win and two persons responded Hilary 
Clinton, there was no mention of the any Republican candadaites .Speaking of 
Republic candidate, Our neighbours to the north(Cuba) are closely watching the 
US candidate elections, Fidel Castro , on Monday wrote a letter Reflections of 
President Fidel Castro Republican candidate .
In this letter he writes his opinion of Republic Candidate John McCain . I have 
attached a english translation for those interested.

The source of the attached letter is Cuba's state newspaper The Granma.

I will be able to blog often until late June .


      
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Attachment: Maccain.docx
Description: Binary data


- ODPEM's 5th Annual National Disaster Management Conference (NDMC) 2008
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 14:16:58 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Plans are speeding ahead for the fifth staging of the ODPEM's annual National Disaster Management Conference (NDMC) 2008.

The venue has now been finalised and the conference dates have been revised:

Conference Dates: March 6-7, 2008

Venue: Rosehall Resorts and Country Club, Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica (A special hotel package is available at a rate of US$269 for single occupancy and US$315 for double occupancy.)

Registration: US$180 per person

We are still welcoming Abstracts for proposed presentations from all our NDC members, especially from those countries with specific experiences related to the theme of the Conference,  Furthering the Risk Reduction Agenda - Landslides and Earthquakes, such as St. Lucia and the MOSSAIC Group, Grenada, St. Vincent, Montserrat and Dominica.

Please see attached the Call for Papers, that gives more details about the Conference and the various categories for papers:



We are expecting an exciting programme this year and look forward to welcoming you all to NDMC 2008 in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Call for Papers_NDMC 2008.doc
Description: Binary data

Attachment: Background Paper_NDMC 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- ODPEM Media Advisory #1: Presentation of Copy of “Reaper of Souls: A Novel of the 1957 Kendal Crash” by Beverley East to the ODPEM
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:19:42 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please see attached ODPEM Media Advisory #1 concerning the presentation of a copy of Reaper of Souls from author, Beverley East, to the ODPEM:



Your coverage of this event is most anticipated.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Media Advisory1_Reaper of Souls to ODPEM_Friday, January 25, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- ODPEM Media Advisory: Annual Earthquake Awareness Week Open Day, Wednesday, January 16, 2008
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:17:19 -0500

Good Day Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please see attached ODPEM Media Advisory concerning the Annual Earthquake Awareness Week Open Day:



Your coverage of this event is most anticipated.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Media Advisory1_ODPEM Open Day_EAW 2008_Tuesday, January 15, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- ODPEM Media Advisory #2: Press Conference to Launch Earthquake Awareness Week, January 13-19, 2008: “For Safety’s Sake, Be Ready for the Next Earthquake!”
  • From: KMorris at odpem.org.jm
  • Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:58:22 -0500

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen,

You are reminded of the Press Conference to be held today in the ODPEM Conference Room at 10:00 a.m. to launch Earthquake Awareness Week, January 13-19, 2008:



The Week will be observed under the theme: "For Safety's Sake, Be Ready for the Next Earthquake!"

Your attendance and coverage of this event is most anticipated.

With kind regards,

Kerry-Ann Morris
Information Officer
Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)
12 Camp Road, Kingston 4
Tel: (876) 928-5111-4 * Fax: (876) 928-5503 * Email: kmorris at odpem.org.jm
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." Mother Teresa

Attachment: Media Advisory2_Press Conference_EAW 2008_Friday, January 11, 2008.doc
Description: Binary data


- Strong Cold Front affecting Jamaica
  • From: Blayz Brooks <blayzbrooks at yahoo.com>
  • Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:21:31 -0800 (PST)

It is an overcast and very windy morning in Montego Bay and across much of Western and Central Jamaica. The strong cold front which brought snow flurries to Daytona Beach, Florida and Hurricane force winds to the Gulf of México and extreme Nwern Caribbean has moved through. The winds have been howling  NNE at 21kts/24mph/39kph since the early morning hours and have not eased since. The smaller trees have been swaying and even the large branches of my East Indian mango tree are been tossed around by the strong winds. From my location I have a good view of the sea and it is very rough ,I can see plenty of foam and spray as the waves slam onto the coastline. Temperatures have so far reached the current maximum of 24 deg c /75 deg f,  Yesterday this time it 29 deg  c/84 deg F it might only be a 3 degree drop in temperature but that’s a lot in warm tropical Jamaica.   

In contrast, the Capital city Kingston has not yet experienced the Cold Front .It is currently 28 deg c and winds throughout the morning have been 3-5 kt range. The Cold Front will move through Kingston as well Eastern Jamaica shortly, it currently extends (based on   7 am noaa Caribbean Surface analysis  ) from St. Mary to Clarendon moving slowly se .Even after the cold front is gone strong winds are expected to continue up to Tuesday. Today into tomorrow 30kt/35mph/56kp/h winds are possible even gusts to 35 kts/40mph/64 kph cannot be ruled out in higher elevations.

 

Forecast (from Meteorological Service, Jamaica)

SIGNIFICANT FEATURE… Strong Cold Front moving across the island.

24-HOURS FORECAST

Morning… Mostly cloudy, windy and cool with occasional showers mainly over northern parishes.

Afternoon…cloudy, windy and cool with occasional showers mainly over northern parishes.

Night…cloudy, windy and cool with occasional showers mainly over northern parishes.

 

3 DAYS FORECAST (starting tomorrow)

Fri/Sat: Cloudy, cool and windy with scattered showers mainly across northern parishes.

Sun: Partly cloudy with cool and windy conditions mainly across northern parishes.

 

Comment… The Cold Front is to move to the east and south of Jamaica, with a

High Pressure Ridge behind the front to maintain strong winds through the weekend.

Ram

end

Try to have a warm and nice day.



Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

Attachment: CAR_latest.gif
Description: GIF image


Older reports from Jamaica have been moved to another page.

Back to top | home | tools | pleas for help | QHWRN | guide | climatology | archive