All posts by W4GVL

Larry Advisory # 16

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number  16
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
1100 AM AST Sat Sep 04 2021

...LARRY LARGER AND A LITTLE STRONGER...
...DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG MANY
WESTERN ATLANTIC SHORES NEXT WEEK...


SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.8N 45.8W
ABOUT 1055 MI...1700 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
ABOUT 1600 MI...2570 KM SE OF BERMUDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...958 MB...28.29 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 45.8 West. Larry is moving
toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h). A gradually slower
west-northwest to northwest motion is expected during the next few
days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 125 mph (205 km/h) 
with higher gusts.  Larry is a category 3 hurricane on the 
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and additional strengthening is 
forecast over the next day or two. Larry is expected to remain at 
major hurricane strength through the early part of next week.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles
(260 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 958 mb (28.29 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF:  Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser
Antilles on Sunday, and will continue to spread westward to
portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and Bermuda Monday
and Tuesday.  Significant swells will likely reach the eastern
United States coastline after Labor Day.  These swells are likely to
cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.  Please
consult products from your local weather office.

Larry Advisory # 15

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number  15
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
500 AM AST Sat Sep 04 2021

...LARRY FORECAST TO REMAIN A MAJOR HURRICANE FOR SEVERAL DAYS...
...DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG MANY
WESTERN ATLANTIC SHORES NEXT WEEK...


SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.3N 44.6W
ABOUT 1140 MI...1830 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 295 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...965 MB...28.50 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 16.3 North, longitude 44.6 West. Larry is moving
toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h).  A slightly slower 
west-northwest to northwest motion is expected during the next few 
days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph (185 km/h) with higher 
gusts.  Larry is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson 
Hurricane Wind Scale.  Strengthening is forecast over the next day 
or two, and Larry is expected to remain at major hurricane strength 
through the early part of next week.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 965 mb (28.50 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF:  Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser
Antilles on Sunday, and will continue to spread westward to
portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and Bermuda Monday
and Tuesday.  Significant swells will likely reach the eastern
United States coastline after Labor Day.  These swells are likely to
cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.  Please
consult products from your local weather office.

Larry Advisory # 14

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number 14
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122021
1100 PM AST Fri Sep 03 2021

…LARRY LUNGES TO MAJOR HURRICANE INTENSITY…
…DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG MANY
WESTERN ATLANTIC SHORES NEXT WEEK…

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST…0300 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————–
LOCATION…15.5N 43.3W
ABOUT 1230 MI…1980 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…115 MPH…185 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…965 MB…28.50 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 15.5 North, longitude 43.3 West. Larry is moving
toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this motion is
expected to continue through late Saturday. A motion toward the
northwest at a slower forward speed is forecast to begin Sunday
morning and continue through Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 115 mph (185 km/h)
with higher gusts. Larry is a category 3 hurricane on the
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is
forecast over the next day or two, and Larry is expected to remain
at major hurricane strength through the early part of next week.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 965 mb (28.50 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
SURF: Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser
Antilles on Sunday, and will continue to spread westward to
portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and Bermuda Monday
and Tuesday. Significant swells will likely reach the eastern
United States coastline after Labor Day. These swells are likely to
cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please
consult products from your local weather office.

Larry Advisory # 13

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number 13
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL122021
500 PM AST Fri Sep 03 2021

…LARRY INTENSIFIES INTO A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE…

SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST…2100 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…15.0N 42.0W
ABOUT 1175 MI…1890 KM W OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
ABOUT 1320 MI…2125 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…100 MPH…155 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…978 MB…28.88 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 15.0 North, longitude 42.0 West. Larry is moving
toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h) and this motion is
expected to continue over the weekend. A turn to the
northwest is forecast by early next week.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h)
with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the
next few days, and Larry is forecast to become a major hurricane
this weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 978 mb (28.88 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
SURF: Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser
Antilles on Sunday. Significant swells will likely reach Bermuda
and the eastern United States coastline after Labor Day. These
swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current
conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Larry Advisory # 12

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number  12
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
1100 AM AST Fri Sep 03 2021

...LARRY APPEARS POISED TO INTENSIFY FURTHER...
...RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AND HIGH SURF FROM LARRY'S SWELLS INCREASES
FOR THE LESSER ANTILLES BY SUNDAY...


SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.8N 40.7W
ABOUT 1090 MI...1750 KM W OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
ABOUT 1410 MI...2270 KM E OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...981 MB...28.97 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 14.8 North, longitude 40.7 West. Larry is moving
toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h) and this motion is
expected to continue over the next few days. A turn to the
northwest is forecast by early next week.

Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the
next few days, and Larry is forecast to become a major hurricane
this weekend.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles
(240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 981 mb (28.97 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF:  Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser
Antilles on Sunday.  These swells are likely to cause
life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.  Please consult
products from your local weather office.

Hurricane Larry intensifies

BULLETIN
Hurricane Larry Advisory Number   7
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
500 AM AST Thu Sep 02 2021

...LARRY BECOMES A HURRICANE OVER THE EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC...


SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...13.0N 32.3W
ABOUT 545 MI...875 KM WSW OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 20 MPH...31 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...987 MB...29.15 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Larry was located
near latitude 13.0 North, longitude 32.3 West.  Larry is moving
toward the west near 20 mph (31 km/h), and this general motion 
should continue through tonight.  A gradual turn toward the 
west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected Friday 
and Friday night.  A slightly slower west-northwestward motion is 
expected on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) 
with higher gusts.  Steady to rapid strengthening is forecast 
during the next couple of days, and Larry is expected to become a 
a major hurricane by Friday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles
(130 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb (29.15 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None.

Larry Advisory # 4

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Larry Advisory Number   4
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
200 PM CVT Wed Sep 01 2021

...LARRY STRENGTHENS AS IT MOVES QUICKLY WESTWARD THROUGH THE
EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC...


SUMMARY OF 200 PM CVT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...12.3N 27.6W
ABOUT 275 MI...445 KM SW OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 22 MPH...35 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1001 MB...29.56 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 200 PM CVT (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Larry was
located near latitude 12.3 North, longitude 27.6 West. Larry is
moving toward the west near 22 mph (35 km/h), and this general 
motion should continue through Thursday.  A gradual turn toward the 
west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed is expected Thursday 
night and Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are now near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher 
gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast, and Larry is expected 
to become a hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb (29.56 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None.

An amazing post……..

Just read this story on Facebook. Thought you all would appreciate the read. Still have chills going down my spine…..

You never know when the moment will choose you…..
Mary and I were seated in the 1A&B bulkhead seats for our flight to Salt Lake City (connecting to SEATAC) as the plane loaded in Philly.  Just a regular flight like any other.  Mary and I were talking and over her shoulder I noticed a guy in line, coyote brown day pack with a MARPAT poncho liner rolled up and lashed to the side, khaki vertx cargo pants, crocks and a 2/5 Marines T-shirt.  What stood out to me was that he was carrying a folded American Flag.  My blood turned cold.  “Mary”, and I gestured towards him as he moved down the isle somewhere in the rear of the plane.  She turned around and then she looked back at my face and she knew too. “You think”? Asked Mary
“Philly is the closest airport to Dover AFB”, I replied.
Mary and I sat in silence staring at each other for a few seconds and then she said “I’m going to take his seat and send him up here, he needs YOU, Chuck”.
Before I could even reply she was out of her seat and moving to the rear.  A couple minutes later this Marine is standing next to me and he says “I was told to report to the bulkhead”.
“Hey man, I’m Chuck have a seat”. We shook hands.
Long story short, this Marine was a Company Gunny in 2-1 Marines and had just escorted 10 of his men to Dover AFB.  He was on his way to Pendleton after being relieved by other escorts to take his fallen Marines to their various places of internment. 
We talked and I listened.  This was his 6th deployment and he had worked Abby gate with his Marines for the past couple weeks. The things he saw at that gate are indescribable.  He called it playing God, as they plucked At Risk Afghans out of the crowd.
He was the Marine captured in a meme giving children drinks of his bottled water.  He was still in shock, his hands were still stained from the MASCAL.  The weight of that flag in his lap was almost overwhelming to me as I sat next to him.  I struggled with my own emotions as I got him fed and a cold beer and some water.  And then I let him rest, he was so impossibly tired.  Misha and I looked after him while he slept.  After we had been flying for a couple of hours he woke up to go to the bathroom. He got up still clutching the flag, then he turned and looked back at his seat and then at me…. questioning.  I nodded that it was safe for him to leave it.  He set the flag on his seat and went to the bathroom.  Now I was alone with the flag that had been over a coffin in a C17 hours earlier.  This symbol of it all, the whole damn 20 years sat there next to me and I couldn’t hold the tears back anymore.  I texted my Marines, Jake, and Paul others and told them that fate had made me a Ranger Buddy of Marines tonight.

My thoughts were with the Gunny, it hadn’t hit him yet.  Mary and I could see it in his eyes, he was running on auto pilot.
Where do we find such men????

I checked with Delta to see if there was a late flight from San Diego to Seattle but the last flight of the night had gone, so going the rest of the way to San Diego so he wouldn’t be alone was out of the question as I would be stuck there until tomorrow.  I made sure that his unit had transportation waiting for him when he arrived there, and we parted company in Salt Lake to head to our connecting flights.

I’m writing this not to virtue signal but to remind everyone that outside of their life and its problems, there are men holding the line, doing what must be done no matter what.  While my family stands down a hurricane and there is nothing I can do to help them tonight, God put me on a plane with a lone Marine carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Mary Pressburg made sure that for at least a couple of hours of his journey, that he wouldn’t have to bear the weight of that flag alone, and I love her for it.
Misha showed the love that only an animal trained to serve could and I’m grateful for both.
Sitting in 1A wasn’t the mission I deserved, but it was the mission that I needed tonight.
Semper Fidelis

T.s. Larry Advisory # 3

BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Larry Advisory Number   3
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL122021
800 AM CVT Wed Sep 01 2021

...DEPRESSION STRENGTHENS INTO TROPICAL STORM LARRY OVER THE
EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC...


SUMMARY OF 800 AM CVT...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...12.3N 24.8W
ABOUT 175 MI...280 KM S OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CABO VERDE ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 20 MPH...31 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.


DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
----------------------
At 800 AM CVT (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Larry was
located near latitude 12.3 North, longitude 24.8 West. Larry is
moving toward the west near 20 mph (31 km/h).  A westward to 
west-northwestward motion is expected during the next couple of 
days, followed by a turn to the northwest over the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) 
with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the 
next few days and Larry is forecast to become a hurricane by late 
Thursday or Friday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km)
from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb (29.62 inches).


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
None.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
Next complete advisory at 200 PM CVT.