Been working on a whole new theme for my blog over the last several weeks. After all the hoopla with my last web host, the lost of files, and all the security issues I had to deal with, it’s nice to have something organized once again.

This site and domain has other plans in the future and will host more of a videography topic, possibly non-weather related. So, for now, please check out the new blog at: Weatherzine.net

If you have a link to my blog, you may update it with the above address, and with visiting the new site for my daily updates. I appreciate all the support for Stormvideographer over the last 3 years. The site outgrew it’s host and old format, and now it’s time for something fresh and new. Come on over!

Jeff Gammons -

October Caribbean Hurricane Omar Alive

Omar wasted no time overnight becoming a mid October Caribbean Hurricane. Hurricane Omar had a steady intensification period the last 24 hours from a weak storm to a well developed hurricane in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Warnings now issued for British Virgin Islands and Tropical Storm warnings and Hurricane watches for Puerto Rico and surrounding waters. The first affects of Omar should begin later today and overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

Hurricane Chasing Omar In The Islands 2008

I’m aware that at least one Florida Hurricane Chaser is en-route for Hurricane Omar, looking for that deep tropics hurricane intercept. Once I learn more on this intercept, I’ll pass any news along here. I’m sure there’s nothing like chasing and intercepting a hurricane deep into the Caribbean. I always know when I’m chasing Florida hurricanes compared to say northern Gulf coast, and /or Carolina hurricanes, there’s a huge difference in the inner core and structure of the hurricane. Florida storms, which are further south, always seem warmer to me in the eyewall compared to storms further north. They have that deep tropical smell and environment to them.

Tropical Storm Nana Gone, Tropical Depression 16 / Paloma

October became a pretty active after several weeks of nil in the tropics. Tropical Storm Nana has dissipated, but Tropical Depression 16 also joined the part yesterday in the western Caribbean. TD16 expected to become the next named storm (Paloma) and hug the Honduras northern coastline as a tropical storm. Only looking to be a central American threat as high pressure builds in over the western Atlantic.

Caribbean hurricanes in October can become major threats to Florida with approaching cold fronts drawing hurricanes northward into Florida. Major Hurricane Wilma in 2005 was one of these storms, along with Hurricane Irene in 1999 as well. Not the case this time around, as ridging is protecting Florida as the latest trough pulls out to the north.

There are still several weeks left in the season, so no time to let your guard down. These October hurricanes can sneak up real fast. More to come of Hurricane Omar.

A large brush fire on the southwest edge of Lake Okeechobee, has been running wild fore days and also producing smoke issues from West Palm Beach, to Ft Myers and Sarasota. This wildfire is contained within the dry lake bottom and levee system around Lake Okeechobee, so at this time no threat to structures or people. The other South Florida fire in located in far southern Miami-Dade County in the Everglades. This is also no threat to anyone but wildlife, though, it is producing some smoke problems for southern Florida drivers in the mornings.

You can see even more pictures on StormVideographer.com, until we can get the video up here.

The second half of April through mid May now, have been extremely dry in Florida. Record high temperatures over the weekend, brought readings into the lower and mid 90’s under gusty dry hot winds. Although a weak cold front is moving through the state tonight, it will actually only help to fuel the wildfire even more with very low humidity levels, and gusty northerly winds on Tuesday. Most of the active fires in and around Palm Bay, Melbourne, Daytona Beach and Malabar, are expected to continue overnight and into Tuesday.

WeatherPress is en-route to Brevard County Florida to cover the wildfires in more detail, so be sure to check back here for the latest videos and pictures.

Interior South Florida Storms Packing Some Punch

Area’s in Western Palm Beach County, Martin, St Lucie and Okeechobee counties as well, experienced some strong thunderstorm winds, rain and some localized street flooding. One particular storm cell over northeast Lake Okeechobee, produced some impressive storm skies as seen in the above picture. This storm was also responsible for some tree’s being uprooted and blowing sands.

All the heavy rains and cool outflow winds, helped to take afternoon hot temperatures from the lower 90’s down to the upper 70’s and lower 80s. All in all, and great sight to see and very welcome spring precipitation that many in Florida have not seen in several weeks.

Hurricane Storm Surge Can Kill

Whether it be a Cyclone in the Indian Ocean, or a Typhoon in the Northwest Pacific or a Hurricane here in the Atlantic basin, they all can produce significant and deadly storm surge flood waters. In 2005, myself along with some of my fellow Hurricane Chasers watched as Hurricane Katrina’s 25-30 foot storm surge came blasting into the coast of Mississippi. It was a very sobering sight to not only witness, but survive to tell about.

The surge waters in Katrina came in like a large wall of water, smashing into coastal builds, Casino’s and boat yards. The water was filled with automobiles, boats, homes, and everything you can think of was likely floating in the surge waters. I can’t imagine all the people trying to survive the storm surge waters of the violent Cyclone Nargis. This is why it’s very important to listen to officials during threatening hurricanes.

Play It Smart, Stay In Formed and Evacuate If Need Be

There’s no leaving once the storm surge waters reach your location, so your best bet is to leave the coast well before the storm, so you don’t end up trying to climb to the roof of your structure to survive. With all the weather technology we have in the world today, especially here in the United States, there should be no reason for you to not know what’s going on with a storm, and putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

Poor Air Quality And Road Closures Due To Smoke

The air quality will also be an issue through the week, as high pressure (sinking air) holds in not only the warn temps, but all the smoke out there. There should be some type of limit on how much prescribe burning can take place in a given region, especially when there is little wind circulations to mix out the smoke. Yesterdays smoke was dense, and breathing was not easy when traveling in a automobile and outside.

This morning, there is less smoke over southern Florida, but in parts of central east Florida, I-95 was closed for several hours during the early morning due to very dense fog and smoke. Highway Patrol feared a major pileup with the severe road conditions in St Lucie County. This could be the case again on Thursday morning as similar weather is expected.

Current Weather Pattern To Hold Steady This Week

Temperatures neared the lower 90s, and with very light sea breeze circulations, it became very hot and thick out there. The smoke that filtered in during the second half of the afternoon didn’t help the situation, and made the morning blue skies hazy by 2pm. Unfortunately this blocking weather pattern is expected to persist into the weekend with little if any rain chances, and more fire weather concerns than thunderstorms.

It should also remain very warm for the remainder of the week, and really, the cool spring time months are just about over here in Florida. Cold fronts can barely reach into the Panhandle region of the state now, so before you know it, we’ll be dealing with lower to mid 90Fs, high dew point and high humidity levels.