Daily Archives: September 4, 2006

Say hello to Tropical Depression #6

Tropical Depression 6 formed today at around 5PM. From the Hurricane Center:

…DEPRESSION FAR OUT IN THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC…

AT 1100 PM EDT…0300Z…THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION SIX WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 14.8 NORTH…LONGITUDE 40.4 WEST OR ABOUT 1395
MILES…2245 KM…EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES.

THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 12 MPH…AND THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH…55 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. THE DEPRESSION IS FORECAST TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM ON
MONDAY.

Here’s the map, which at first glance appears fairly ominous for the East Coast…

Tropical Depression 6, 11PM advisory

This one definitely bears watching, but it’s important to note the amount of variance there is in the track, and that it’s very early in the game and a lot can and probably will change. The forecast discussion takes it to being about an 85 MPH hurricane in three or four days or so. While the sea surface temperatures will not be inhibiting to development, the moderate shear in the atmosphere is expected to keep the lid on this one blossoming, at least for the foreseeable future. I, personally, wouldn’t rule out this becoming a fairly potent hurricane in the coming days. We all should keep an eye on it — as I’m sure you all have come to expect, I most certainly will…;)

Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter”, has died

CNN:

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) — Steve Irwin, the Australian TV presenter known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” has died after being stung in a marine accident off Australia’s north coast.

Australian media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

I’m saddened to hear of his passing. I remember being introduced to Irwin in my biology class in 9th grade — his shows were certainly a fantastic departure from the bland videos I had been used to watching in class, and I continued to watch him off and on over the years. Irwin’s enthusiasm for all things nature, especially those with sharp teeth and a maximum amount of danger, will most certainly be missed.