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2014 Hurricane Season

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Sereno
  5/22/2014 06:45 EST

Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Time to get yourselves ready and check on your supplies and plans.

www.wunderground.com
www.nhc.noaa.gov

This seasons predictions are for few storms but they are not always correct. We also know that it only takes one.

I also have my own weather station and hope to get it back on-line on wunderground soon.

Our rainy season from Nov. to March did not happen this last year. Hot and very dry. Then it started raining at the end of April and has not stopped here on the North coast and it has been unseasonably cool.

May 22. 6:45AM; Playa Chiquita. We have had over 6 inches of rain this month with 2.66 inches in the last 24 hours. 69.2 F. Highs in mid. 80s F with rain forecasts for the next 10 days.

(Sorry Planner. Don't shoot the messenger.)

Sereno

Sereno
  5/22/2014 06:53 EST

This was in yesterdays, May 21, AM addition. Before the 2.66 inches of rain that we got in the last 24 hours.

www.dominicantoday.com

Thousands flee flash floods as rains drench Dominican Republic north

Santo Domingo.-The Emergency Operations Center (COE) on Wednesday said the downpours in several provinces during the last several days have displaced 5,560 people and affected nearly 400 homes, with flash flood warnings issued for 16 provinces.

From María Trinidad Sánchez in the northeast to Elías Piña in the west are under flash flood warnings, COE said, and that swelled rivers have damaged homes in northern La Vega and Espaillat provinces.

The first response agency said the displaced people weren’t taken to shelters but advised residents in high-risk areas such as near rivers and streams to take precautions.
------------------

: Sereno

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Sereno
  5/22/2014 08:45 EST

Update regarding rain and flooding.

www.dominicantoday.com

Central region under severe flash flood warning

Santo Domingo.- The Emergency Operations Center (COE) issued severe flash flood warnings for central La Vega and Monseñor Noel provinces and maintains alerts for Hermanas Mirabal and Duarte, as downpours from a trough drench that part of the national territory since early Wednesday.

It said mandatory evacuations were ordered yesterday in La Vega, Monseñor Noel and Hermanas Mirabal provinces while the heavy rains of the last hours are expected to continue.

COE said downpours affect mostly the northern and northeast regions, with at least 5,500 people evacuated 1,393 houses damaged and three completely destroyed.
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I guess that our riding trip to Jarabacoa is on hold for a long time. : (

Stay safe people. Sereno

Sereno
  5/22/2014 11:52 EST

Talk about timing when opening a new thread. LOL.

These reports from the U.S., now just being reported here, came out about a month ago.

www.dominicantoday.com

Forecasters predict ‘slower-than-usual’ hurricane season, AP

Santo Domingo.- The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gathered its experts in New York Thursday to release the agency's outlook for the six-month storm season that officially begins June 1, AP reports.

Researchers from Colorado State University have forecast nine named storms in 2014, with just three expected to become hurricanes and one major storm with winds over 110 mph.

“The Atlantic hurricane season goes through cycles of high and low activity about every 25 to 40 years based on large scale climatic patterns in the atmosphere. Since 1995, an average season has 15 named tropical storms, eight hurricanes and about four major storms. The last time a major hurricane made landfall in the U.S. was when Wilma came ashore in 2005, an eight-year stretch that is currently the longest on record,” AP reports.

It said during the six-month season, forecasters name tropical storms when top winds reach 39 mph; hurricanes have maximum winds of at least 74 mph.

For its part, NOAA said there will be 3 to 6 hurricanes, with 1 to 2 of those of a major category.

Last year Dominican Republic was spared of direct hits by hurricanes, while David in 1979 and Georges in 1998 wreaked havoc and vast devastation.

“Forecasters got it wrong last year when they predicted an unusually busy hurricane season. There were just 13 named storms and two Category One hurricanes, Umberto and Ingrid. There were no major hurricanes,” the report said.
-------------------------
Now. Can you find the miss-information in this report?

; p Sereno

Planner
  5/22/2014 13:16 EST

It sure has been raining here on the north coast and dry dry in Santo Domingo! Lets hope the south coast gets some of this rain.

And lets hope those in dangerous areas pay attention! They usually do not!

Sereno
  5/22/2014 18:25 EST

Planner? I'm sorry that we on the North Coast were not more hospital. Sorry, our weather is way out of wack and we ain't in Hurricane season yet.

www.dominicantoday.com
(worth looking at the photo. Copy/paste?)

Dominican Republic floods damage homes, evacuees get help

La Vega, Dominican Republic.-The Government’s Social Assistance Plan on Thursday sent aid to families in several north region communities drenched by the downpours which have damaged nearly 400 homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of people thus far.

Ready-meals to feed around 20,000 people, as well as hundreds of blankets, mosquito nets, mattresses and other items to deal with the emergency.

The aid was distributed in towns and villages of La Vega, San Francisco, Santiago and Salcedo bring relief to communities under as much as two feet of floodwater from swelled rivers and creeks, as a trough lingers over the northern half of the country.

Social Plan director César Prieto said the push to ship assistance came after the damage was assessed, on instructions from president Danilo Medina.
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I don't have to remind you NOT to drive through that little stream that is going over the road that you want to cross. And of course everyone has an emergency kit in their car........... as well as at home.

DO I?

IF anyone really needs help. All ya gotta do is say so.

Very little rain here today but all clouds. Lite breezes off the ocean from the N.E. High 77 F. Humidity 73%.

Overall a comfortable day for us. Edenorte on/off/on/off but even with the clouds our solar keeps us going. : )

Please advise regarding YOUR area.

Thanks. Sereno

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Sereno
  5/24/2014 09:52 EST

Looks like hurricane season has started over a week early?

T.S. Amanda is in the PACIFIC ocean west of Mexico and headed north toward the Gulf of California. Forecast to be a Cat. 1 hurricane briefly.

Our weather over the D.R. forecast for the next 10 days is much the same as we have been getting with possibility of more thunderstorms.

I also see more then normal clouds/rain coming from Africa, well below Cape Verde, and staying south of the Caribbean. Just a little unusual.

Have a good one. Sereno

Sereno
  5/25/2014 16:56 EST

Nice day here in my area. Partly cloudy with some sun. Got lots of outside stuff done.

Looks like another system that is over P.R. is moving our way. My home weather station is saying rain is coming in 24 to 48 hours.

I checked on the Pacific storm Amanda. Get this.... a Cat. 5 from the T.S. that I talked about last time. Wow, that was fast.

Fortunately she is well off shore and predicted to go back to a T.S. well before entering the Gulf of California.

The moisture coming from Africa appears to have lessened some and still well south of Cape Verde where most of our hurricanes originate.

Have a good night all. Sereno

Planner
  5/26/2014 12:07 EST

Back in Santo Domingo now where there has been almost NO rain in days and days.

While in Puerto Plata last week, unbelievable amounts of rain.

And on a wet badly built wooden stair I slipped and fell - broke my foot in 2 places. Came home early to be in my own house. Damn. So much for dancing...oh hell can't even walk without crutches.

Sereno
  5/26/2014 17:09 EST

It must be nice to be home?

I understand about WEEKS of no rain then like it does not stop. LOL.

Sorry about your foot... but you have insurance? I know that you do and that does not get your foot better any faster.

We are just getting crazy weather just like just about every where in the World.

We adapt. Sereno

Planner
  6/2/2014 10:21 EST

All is coming along nicely with the healing. Slow but good.....LOL

Getting around on crutches is not fun, but I have a modified cast so not possible to have a walking cast. Another 11 days.... yayyy.

Insurance covered every peso of my emergency visit. It did not cover the crutches which I bought and now own..... I will store them in a closet and that way Mr. Murphy wont be tempted to visit again......

We have had a bit of rain at night but nothing substantial here. It is hot and humid and by afternoon is damn uncomfortable, but you adjust!!!

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Kiskeyanos
  6/2/2014 19:09 EST

Feel better, Planner!

Kiskeyanos
  6/2/2014 19:35 EST

Where are hurricanes and flooding rains worse in the DR? I know the south west of SD is more Arid, but wondering if they are probe to hurricanes as well. I want to move no more than 30 minutes from the beach, but I am afraid of the storms.

Kiskeyanos
  6/2/2014 19:35 EST

Where are hurricanes and flooding rains worse in the DR? I know the south west of SD is more Arid, but wondering if they are probe to hurricanes as well. I want to move no more than 30 minutes from the beach, but I am afraid of the storms.

Planner
  6/3/2014 09:56 EST

Hurricanes are a fact of Caribbean life, we prepare for the possibility and hope for the best.

South west - gets them

South - gets them

East - gets them

North - Puerto Plata area has not had one in over 90 years.

North west - doesn't get them

North east - gets a few

The only real safe place is the central north coast due to geography!

Not sure where the most often hit area is, but my guess is along the south coast.

And remember tropical storms can do as much damage as a hurricane! We suffer greatly from the rainfall and flooding issues!

Do some research online, there were a couple of links higher up in this thread. Start reading!

Kiskeyanos
  6/3/2014 10:16 EST

Good to know this info, planner, as I continue my research and planning for the final move in 2016. I heard there were torrential rains, evacuations and mudslides near the Northwest coast. Does this happen often?

Planner
  6/3/2014 10:23 EST

They do happen here. But here is a reason.

Heavy rain brings flash flooding and sometimes mudslides.

This is an issue if you live in low lying areas or river and creek basins. and many locals settle into these areas. They get relocated and come back.

In some cases the rain is just too much and we have some flooding. It is not often but not unusual either. Its a fact of life here in the Caribbean.

Sereno
  6/14/2014 10:50 EST

Planner is right. Look at any area that you might want to live. Low ground? Hills? Streams and rivers? When it rains ... it pours. And always have a plan for self survival.
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Very hot and dry everywhere. When the temps. hit 86 F I hit the AC and make Edenorte happy.

Looking at different weather sites they all look the same. No clouds anywhere near us or coming; that means no rain. The upper stream that comes from Africa has NOT happened as it should yet this year.
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Central America has been getting pounded with one after another T.S.'s and T.D.'s coming in from the Pacific side. We get nothing since these usually go north.
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from: www.dominicantoday.com

Santo Domingo’s water supply ‘critical and worrisome: Utility

Santo Domingo.- Greater Santo Domingo Water Utility (CAASD) director Alejandro Montas on Thursday called the current low levels at Valdesia dam and the Haina, Isa-Mana and Duey rivers "critical and worrisome," which has led to around 70 million fewer gallons of water per day and has cut service to more than 30 sectors.

He said it’s a "huge problem" for the CAASD since the Valdesia dam has dropped to "alarming" levels, with 13.42 cubic meters of water less per second at its aqueduct, or 295.24 million gallons less than the same date last year, in less than two weeks.

Montas said measures are being taken so the population receives water from more tanker trucks, but cautioned that deliveries will be limited.
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Hot, sunny weekend

Santo Domingo.- The National Weather Office (ONAMET) forecasts low probability of rain this weekend with seasonably high temperatures continuing nationwide, from the prevailing East-Southeast wind.

It said a high pressure system and humidity from the prevailing wind will increase cloudiness in afternoon hours, with widely scattered showers over the mountains, the southeast, central regions and border area.

ONAMET adds that few showers are expected through Saturday, and the seasonably high temperatures will continue through Sunday.
--------------------
There was another article this AM but it's gone. Over 30 districts are out of water in S.D. and they do not have near enough water trucks. The lakes, reservoirs and rivers are at critical lows.

Our water here at my place, Sosua area, has been off again for the last 4 days and I see the water trucks rolling in our area already.

Sereno
  6/15/2014 17:00 EST

The Dominican Republic is known for it's isolated and different areas that have micro climates. We are fortunate to have a long and high mountain range that can influence Caribbean weather to a rather large degree. It also is a main reason for our micro climates. I can see it pouring rain in POP, out over the ocean even in the hills. I don't get a drop.

High clouds have formed south of the D.R. and some over us. And I got rain.... not even enough to read on my rain meter but enough to boost the humidity considerably.

Possible thunder storms in this coming week... in some areas somewhere maybe.

More moisture appears to be coming off of Africa with the winds shifting just a little to see a slight more push into the Caribbean.

Only 82 F at my place with a 71% humidity; hazy overcast and 9 mph breeze (that does nothing). Ocean is calm.

AC tonight?

Sleep well. Sereno

Sereno
  6/16/2014 10:05 EST

OK. This may be part of the reason that we have not seen the usual weather patterns coming from Africa. The usual wet air has been replaced by dry air. It also explains that hi haze that we see.

www.dominicantoday.com

Sahara desert dust adds to country’s pollution woes

Santo Domingo.- Airborne sand particles arriving in Dominican Republic from the Sahara desert in Africa will increase flu-like symptoms sharply in the next few days, CDN network meteorologist Jean Suriel forecast Sunday.

The Saharan dust, expected to affect the Caribbean until Wednesday, also stokes respiratory problems such as asthma.

Satellite images Wednesday show a large sandstorm heading west from Africa’s coast, with enough momentum to cross the Atlantic and reach the Caribbean.

The almost yearly sandstorms reduce the visibility of pilots when entering Dominican airspace, giving the sky a grey or reddish hue and raising the region’s surface temperatures.

------------------
Rather odd that we had a thunder shower this morning. They are usually in the late afternoons. 1.1 inchs of rain. Every drop helps.

78 F with a whopping 84% humidity and no breeze. Atlantic Ocean is FLAT.

Kiskeyanos
  6/16/2014 10:22 EST

This is frightening. Our disregard for the planet and our environment is coming back to bite us in the toushy. A lot sooner than we thought.

Sereno
  6/17/2014 07:05 EST

Good Morning! I agree Kiskey and have thought for a long time that the human race has been racing toward self extinction.

Sun rise still shows a grayish/brown upper atmosphere blanket. My weather station tells me that I should be seeing FULL sun and no clouds. I can only make out the mountain outlines of POP, 11 miles away and that dirty haze is in all directions. It is thicker this morning then yesterday.

I have to believe that this dust cloud creates a greenhouse effect over and around us.

Satellite images show clouds over much of the D.R. but I don't know if is seeing vapor clouds or dust?

7 AM in Playa Chiquita:
74 F with normal high morning humidity @ 83%. NO breeze at all. Ocean is flat.

Planner
  6/17/2014 12:33 EST

There is a dust storm rolling over us and will be for a few days according to the news. This came off Africa.

We had this last year and right after I ended up with a lung infection and pneumonia. Worth being careful!

Sereno
  6/17/2014 13:31 EST

Ya Planner, as reported above. I remember this same thing last year. I now wonder if that had anything to do with our Nov. to March rainy season that we didn't get last year.

POP is even MORE socked in then it was this AM. We have a 13 mph breeze but it appears not to be clearing anything out.

The above reports say that this should pass sometime Wednesday. Let's hope so.

Planner
  6/17/2014 13:36 EST

I think this whole concept of a "rainy season" is gone. Long gone.

In 11 years i've not seen the same pattern twice. I've seen years where it rained every day in November then December was almost drought.

rain daily in May and nothing for the next 2 Mays......

Things are changing SOOOO much it seems from year to year.

Sereno
  6/17/2014 13:47 EST

I've noticed about the same Planner.

10+ years ago I remember that it started raining in Nov. and we seldom had a clear day all the way to March.

So looking back I too have noticed each year a little less with this last season almost nothing really.

Of course, much of the World has also has been experiencing extreme changes over the last few years.

I'm back to thinking about a shallow well that would have salt water where I am and getting a sea water desalinater since I don't think Corraplata is going to do a dang thing about getting us water.

As they say; Ya can talk about the weather but not a dang thing you can do about it.

Sereno
  6/17/2014 13:58 EST

Just out of curiosity, I Googled: The great dust bowl. I thought that perhaps it was a natural occurrence of nature but nope... It was caused by man.

Sereno
  6/18/2014 07:08 EST

Good Morning and better news.

The sun is much brighter and blue skies with scattered clouds can be seen. POP and the horizon is much clearer. Looks like our dust storm is ending.

The jet stream coming from Africa appears to be shifting a little that we hope will start steering more moisture into the Caribbean.

Have a good day. Sereno

Sereno
  7/4/2014 11:02 EST

We had a 20 minute downpour yesterday. 1.8 inches of rain so about 1500 gallons into the cistern that we had shut down since it was empty. The front cistern is down about 1000 gallons.

We have NOT had a drop of city water, again, for weeks. We hear that the Gaspar Hernandez area is also without water most of the time. They are way up the line from us and close to the water source.

S.D. is just now declaring a drought with just 28 days of water left?

www.dominicantoday.com

Greater Santo Domingo must brace for ‘alarming drought’

Santo Domingo.- The head of Greater Santo Domingo’s water utility (CAASD) warned Thursday that the dams that feed its aqueducts are at their lowest operating levels, for which control measures have been in effect Wednesday since the Valdesia hydroelectric has only a 28-day supply.

Alejandro Montas said he has notified the various water management agencies to make more efficient use of water for the population and announced that to the amount of water for irrigation was cut back, which in turn will hurt agriculture.

Quoted by eldia.com.do, the official said the Jiguey-Aguacate hydroelectric complex suspended energy generation Thursday, since its reservoirs didn’t have enough water to operate the turbines. “The drought has become alarming.”
--------------------------
Our normal weather coming in from Africa still has not started.

Central American keeps getting drenched by rain from the Pacific side.

And what's with a Hurricane forming off of northern Florida? Very unusual.

A confused Sereno!

Sereno
  7/4/2014 18:21 EST

So this came up and I ran back to study all the weather places, including my own home one. Ahhhh... ahhhh?

I run outside ... a lot.. to look at the sky.

Keep in mind that the D.R. do's NOT have a rain radar. The closest one is in P.R. and they don't show any rain. In fact... the D.R. depends on ???? for their forecasts. (Kinda like I do.)

BUT.... Drought relief is coming? Read it here hot off the press. IF you look at the photo in the article you will NOT see anything near it on any weather site.

www.dominicantoday.com

Tropical wave’s downpours could spell drought relief

Santo Domingo.- The National Weather Office (Onamet) on Friday forecasts downpours starting late afternoon, from a tropical wave over the east region moving west.

It said all regions can expect scattered to moderate showers, except the southwestern provinces, while the seasonably high temperatures will continue.

Onamet said the same weather pattern will continue through Saturday morning, when the scattered showers will continue during the afternoon until early evening, especially over the Northeast, Southeast and Central Mountains.

The showers forecast could spell relief for many areas of the country parched by a stubborn drought
----------------

Dang "stubborn drought". Of course it has nothing to due with water management... kinda like managing the virus that is all over.

NOT MY FAULT.

Sereno
  7/10/2014 18:29 EST

No one has posted IF they have had any rain and no one is talking about it in the news. Humff.

Do I have to say it... no Corraplata water but the few short rain showers that I have had has helped a lot going into the cistern off the roof. I noticed that my neighbor is just now working on a roof harvest system.

Looks like we MIGHT... MAYBE ... get some rain in the next few days. A system has formed coming off of South America and appears to be moving our way ??? and it has rain.

Of course we have NO idea if it will make it's way to the D.R. and still have ..... rain.

Africa is STILL not doing anything but sending us dust off the Sahara. We noticed that our wind out of the East is very hot and dry.

Have a good night. Sereno

Planner
  7/11/2014 16:43 EST

Very very hot here in Santo Domingo and humid.

We just had a rainshower but it lasted about 10 minutes. No where near enough rain!!!! We have water restrictions already.

Sereno
  7/12/2014 09:28 EST

I DID see the chance of some rain coming up from South America in the Caribbean.

The D.R. weather people saw it too.... but in the NORTH EAST ATLANTIC???

www.dominicantoday.com

Scattered showers Fri., Sat., tapering off Sunday

Santo Domingo.- The National Weather Office (Onamet) forecasts showers and thunderstorm starting Friday noon along the Caribbean coast and central valley, from a weak tropical wave.

It said the rains will spread to other parts of the country, mostly during evening hours.

The showers and thunderstorm will continue Saturday over the South and Southwest, stoked by a trough developing on the north-eastern Atlantic coast.

Onamet forecasts widely scattered showers over the border area and the southwest Sunday afternoon, from the humidity dragged by the prevailing east-southeast wind.
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I DID see some lightening.... waaay North of us in the Altantic.
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Planning is a good thing and I'm sooo glad that to see it. Like the mosquito eradication program... This water program tells us NOW we must conserve water.
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‘Only a tropical storm’ can ease Dominican capital’s water crisis

Santo Domingo.- Only a tropical storm’s downpours can ease the water crisis parching Greater Santo Domingo’s numerous sectors and other cities, National Weather Office director Gloria Ceballo warned Friday.

"Rainfall values will remain below normal, unless there’s a tropical cyclone, which reverts the situation in August or September," the official said in a joint statement with Water Utility (CAASD) director Alejandro Montas.

Ceballos said the effects the of El Niño leads to the drought by reducing atmospheric disturbances in the Atlantic, citing similar crises in 1982 and 1997.

CAASD Operations director Luis Salcedo said the deficit continues at more than 75 million gallons per day, despite Thursday night’s light showers over the Haina, Isa and Duey river basins. "The showers originated during yesterday’s early hours began to reach the intake at Haina, which is operating with nine work crews since this morning."

The CAASD official urges the population to continue saving water.
----------------

Sorry to report that I don't see any rain in the D.R. will be a short pop-up.. then down, in a few areas.

Really.... IT'S NOT MY FAULT!

Planner
  7/12/2014 11:57 EST

Unfortunately no one here knows how to conserve water!!!! The waste I see every day makes me a bit crazy at times......

We had some thunder and lightening last night but only a little bit or rain. But nice light show.....LOL

Sereno
  7/14/2014 11:19 EST

LOL Planner. Conserve? What's that? I'll open another thread concerning our very serious drought.

Now for the weather. ??? It looks like a small area in the East had some rain as shown by the rain radar in the P.R.

Everytime I see something... anything that might come our way it pretty much evaporates half way here.

Another system has formed off of South America and might enter the Caribbean.

Meanwhile. A large something was noted coming off of Africa but formed in the southern Sahara. So might just be another dust storm.

www.dominicantoday.com

Showers increase, high temps continue

Santo Domingo.- Rainfall will increase this week with scattered showers and thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, from a trough north of Puerto Rico.

The National Weather Office (ONAMET) forecasts increasing downpours mid-week from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles, moving west.

It said the rains will be more frequent over the southeast and southwest and Central Mountains, while temperatures will remain seasonably high, from 34 to 36 degrees C.
--------------
The photo shown in the article is a copy/paste from I don't know where cause it ain't the same as any maps that I have looked at.

I really wonder what they are smoking? I'm not a user but .... I want some too.

;/ Sereno

Sereno
  7/17/2014 11:06 EST

Looking at the same.

There ain't nutten!

Sereno
  7/18/2014 18:42 EST

See above. ^^^^^

Sereno
  7/18/2014 20:44 EST

It's dark and I watching this great lighting show to my west. LOT'S of it and though I see stars above me, some of the bursts of light blot out the stars.

But wait.... NO thunder? Not even our very sensitive "Dunderdogs" hear a thing and going nuts.

I see on the weather stations a system WAYYYYYY to our west.
---------------------
Heat lightning

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Heat lightning is the name used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorms that do not have accompanying sounds of thunder. This happens because the lightning occurs very far away and the sound dissipates before it reaches the observer.[1] The term is a little misleading because it has nothing to do with the heat of the lightning itself. At night, it is possible to see the flashes of lightning from very far distances, up to 100 miles, but the sound doesn't carry that far.[2] Lightning results from the discharge of negative ions created from the friction of ice and water particles bumping into each other at the bottom of a cloud. Heat lightning can be an early warning sign that thunderstorms are approaching. In Florida, heat lightning is often seen out over the water at night, the remnants of storms that formed during the day along a sea breeze front coming in from the opposite coast.

Heat lightning is not to be confused with electrically-induced luminosity actually generated at mesospheric altitudes above thunderstorm systems (and likewise visible at exceedingly great ranges), a phenomenon known as "sprites".
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This isn't going to do nada for us BUT a great show.

Have a good night all.

Sereno
  7/18/2014 21:09 EST

OH... wayyyy faraway is like.......... over Cuba. Far enough away for ya?

Sereno
  7/30/2014 08:48 EST

I've watched a couple of possible stores that could have come somewhere in are area. They all evaporated.

Nothing happening other then a few scattered and short rain showers around the D.R. I had one yesterday that lasted about 20 minutes.

Better then nothing I guess.. but the humidity then becomes oppressive.

Planner
  7/30/2014 09:01 EST

No rain at all here in the capital, we are in desperate need!

Sereno
  8/1/2014 06:36 EST

Tropical Storm Bertha should be entering the Caribbean in the next 24 hours. It is not expected to get any larger then the 40 knot/46 mph winds that it has now.

Effects should be felt starting late Sat.

Models have the center of the storm passing just north of the East Coast of the D.R. and in the N.E. direction going alone the North coast.

My past experience is that these storms usually die down some as they approach Samana.

At my place on the Atlantic Ocean in the POP area, we will take in the pool furniture and close the windows. That's about it.

Let's hope she has a for a lot of soaking rain.

Sereno
  8/1/2014 07:58 EST

I really should not post before I have at least 1 full cup of coffee. lol

Storm is moving W.N.W. and not n.e. (I've become Dominican and have joined the directionally challenged.)

www.dominicantoday.com

Tropical storm could dump relief over parched Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo-The National Hurricane Center on Thursday said Tropical Storm Bertha is the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season’s second storm, whose forecast trajectory could bring much needed rains to the Dominican Republic.

It said as of 11pm Thursday Bertha is just east of the southern Lesser Antilles, 445 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados, moving west-northwest at 31 kilometers per hour, “with tropical storm force winds extending up to 75 miles from its center.”

The storm could mean relief for the months-long drought in the Dominican Republic, blamed for widespread water shortages and the season’s first major forest fire, at Valle Nuevo, Constanza (central).
--------------

The winds, as far as I can tell, only extend out 45 miles from the center. I think that our D.R. weather people are being very optimistic with any real rain for the South.

Very possible that the center will go more north and beyond that 45 miles to have full wind effect on the Central North coast.

Kiskeyanos
  8/1/2014 12:12 EST

I am praying foryour much needed rain...but not so much to cause flooding or mudslides

Planner
  8/1/2014 12:16 EST

We had pouring rain here in the capital most of the morning.


I do not think it is connected to Bertha, she is way too far away still. By later tomorrow YES......... here comes some rain.

Sereno
  8/1/2014 17:52 EST

It looks like pop-up rain and thunderstorms have come back. That's a good thing. Related or not to Bertha??? I don't care. Looking from my upper porch, POP is getting rain with T.S. and it is "back drafting" our way. We hope.

Bertha has picked up a little more wind, speed and northern movement. I still do not expect her to do much wind wise but hope for her rain. Heavy rain does not look that promising looking at the satellites.

I was working on my personal home weather station for over 10 hours today. After over 2 years it's pretty well shot. IT tells me that I have had over 126 inches of rain this last hour and NO wind or wind direction. JUST when I wanted it ... it fails.

Rain starting now. YIPPEE!

Sereno
  8/2/2014 10:06 EST

Punta Cana and the N.E. end of Samana are just about a direct hits.

Punta Cana should start feeling Bertha in a few hours. As time passes, more areas with most of the Eastern half of the D.R. getting wind and rain.

The central North coast should start feeling her around 2 AM and intensifying as Bertha moves in her N.E. path. At around 7 AM she will be at her closest to POP.; about 50 miles.

Winds are 50/55 mph with 60 mph gusts and extend out over 100 miles from her center. Rain is mostly on her north side.

Emergency supplies have been checked and few more things to secure and fill up the car before she gets to us.

I told our neighbor about Bertha. They have not moved any outside furniture or done a thing to get ready. They have an open-air type house with only iron gates as doors on the back side. They gonna get wet.

www.dominicantoday.com

COE issues green alert for 10 Dominican provinces


Santo Domingo.– Tropical Storm Bertha moved into the Caribbean on Friday on a path that will take it between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where tropical storm warnings are already in effect for 10 provinces.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) said the green alert level is for San Pedro de Macoris, La Altagracia, La Romana, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Samana, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, San Cristobal, Santo Domingo and the National District.

The authorities called residents in high risk areas to take precautionary measures and avoid crossing streams with large volumes.

Tropical Storm Bertha, as of Friday night, had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is moving west-northwest at 22 mph. The storm is about 270 miles southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
---
Though most of the rain will on the North side of Bertha, we all know that it does not take much rain to cause a flood. More of a bad drainage engineering situation then anything else.

Sereno
  8/2/2014 11:11 EST

Berthas' track has moved west with direct hits on Higuey in about 11 hours. Then crossing Samana and hitting Las Terenas and just off of Cabrea.

I've been looking at the maps and weather stations in Puerto Rico. The rain radar has that island covered showing rain. BUT when I look at the weather stations very little rain and no wind to speak of.

Might be a little early?

Sereno
  8/2/2014 17:21 EST

IMHO! Bertha is a nothing. Winds have died down to 45 mph and I expect that she will not make it to Samana as a T.S.

She is already on D.R. soil in the S.E. and NONE of the weather stations are reporting anything.

Watching her pass the P.R. and looking at their stations, nothing worth noting at all. Not one of the 12 stations reported more then 1.3 inches of rain nor any wind activity to be concerned about.

Watching the P.R. rain radar showed nothing intense as well as the satellite images showing nothing near a "hot spot". The P.R. is already clearing on it's east side.

Clouds moving into the east of the D.R. but I don't expect more then a little breeze and a few light thunder storms.

Planner
  8/3/2014 13:56 EST

We received a fair amount of rain here in Santo Domingo but it certainly wasn't what we expected.

Mikeytraveller
  8/3/2014 14:26 EST

We only received a very small amount here in Puerto Plata, very disappointing.

Sereno
  8/3/2014 17:10 EST

I checked all the stations that had rain gauges all over the D.R. this morning. None had even 2 inches. Most not 1 inch and others with 0. I figure that I got a whole 1/4 inch. (being positive..? that's over 300 gallons into my cistern. yip...... PEE! ((and that's what I do outdoors now instead of using the inside facility.))

Looking at what might come? I don't want to talk about it.

Sereno
  8/13/2014 17:21 EST

I was watching a low coming out of Hurricane ally that looked a little promising. Nope. Dried up and gone and nothing anywhere at this time. That's the 3rd one that never really got off the coast of Africa.

SO the good news... we have SUNNY skies and a nice little breeze out of the east/E.S.E. that could produce some local pop-up thunder storms in the central and north coast. (I can hope can't I?)

Well... NOT so sunny. NUMBER FOUR dust storm from the African Sahara started this morning and is covering everything with a very fine tan dust; you can see it and feel it, especially on your tongue. It also produces an inversion layer that traps the heat so... it's HOT.

(my little home weather station said that I'd get some rain in the next 24 hours. Then it said NOT)

Have a good one. Sereno

Sereno
  8/14/2014 08:55 EST

I was very surprised at some of this information about Sahara dust storms.

They can spread to the U.K., all the way to California and down into the Amazon.

I also thought that thier had to be a link between theses storms and no rain or hurricaines. They are linked. Our drought continues.
------------------------------

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/environment-book/aeoliantransport.html
----------------------------
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/weather-service-huge-wave-of-saharan-dust-headed-for-territory-1.1702010
------------------------------

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view.php?id=53872

A massive sandstorm blowing off the northwest African desert has blanketed hundreds of thousands of square miles of the eastern Atlantic Ocean with a dense cloud of Saharan sand. The massive nature of this particular storm was first seen in this SeaWiFS image acquired February 26, 2000 when it reached over 1000 miles into the Atlantic.

These storms and the rising warm air can lift dust 15,000 feet or so above the African deserts and then out across the Atlantic, many times reaching as far as the Caribbean where they often require the local weather services to issue air pollution alerts as was recently the case in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Recent studies by the U.S.G.S. have linked the decline of the coral reefs in the Caribbean to the increasing frequency and intensity of Saharan Dust events. Additionally, other studies suggest that Sahalian Dust may play a role in determining the frequency and intensity of hurricanes formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
---------------------

Today is worse then yesterday. I could look directly at the rising sun this morning. (NOT recommended.) From my place POP,12 miles away, is just barely visable.

Sereno
  3/31/2015 18:12 EST

It's NOT 2015 Hurricane Season YET. But a few things should be noted for discussion.

Our 2014/15 rain season has been very lite on the ran. Rain showers that have NOT produced the desired results. We are missing about 2/3 of the normal rain for this rain season.

The rain season in the DR is about the same as what is in the African Sahara area. Guess what. They also have had a low amount of rain.

Our rain and weather comes mostly off of Africa.

We had a record number of Dust Storms from Africa last year that effects us.

We are in another African Dust Storm.

What is of concern is that we are getting a dust storm during their rain season; 4 months before what would be normal for 2 per year.

I'm guessing that our drought here this last year was only a glimpse of what is to come.

After OVER 14 months we/the area, still do not have City water and some of our neighbors have left. The Water people will not even talk to our Attys. We, as a group, have tried everything including trying to put in a well... that they would own and the permits are outrageous.

Two have hooked up to a private line, that is supplied by the town line, and after over 1K US to hook up with a meter @ 1 peso per gallon. I expect that they will be using over 1,000 per day on these properties and that the cost per gallon will go up.

I, for one, keep adding rain catching gutters but now need to take out trees to do so.

Nothing like living in a third word country gone into the stone age.

I hope that I'm very wrong but..... I'd rather be ready if not.

Janin
  3/31/2015 18:31 EST

@sereno
So, you are still holding out....
The thought of depending on public services in this country is a horrible nightmare for us.
As you know, we are totally self-sufficient with water and electricity. And that is good....
Janin

Sereno
  3/31/2015 18:39 EST

Hi my old friend... Froggy?

Those of us that have worked for and implemented some self sufficient systems have done much better then others.

It's not that I have everything figured out but I'm AMAZED

Sereno
  3/31/2015 18:41 EST

Blipped out.. Continued:

I'm amazed that so many don't get it. OR.... That I'm a total NUT.

Thanks for saying "Hello". ;)

Kiskeyanos
  3/31/2015 20:38 EST

Frightening

Kiskeyanos
  3/31/2015 20:39 EST

That is probably the smartest thing to do, live off the grid.

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