Uh oh...dis ain't looking so good...(FG trip)

[Guba]

I'm all packed and set to go. Forms filled out, physical taken and turned in, tank aired up, and truck full of (expensive) gas. I can't wait to get out to the Flower Gardens this week!

Now, if the Gulf will just behave. You see, there is this little ol' low pressure system knocking around in the southern Gulf of Mexico. It shouldn't strengthen to a tropical storm, but it doesn't have to. All it take to pull the plug on our trip is for it to generate 6 foot waves or so, and this trough could do just that by Tuesday. That would be a bad thing, since we leave out on Sunday for a three day trip.

Oh, well. All we can do is trust in the best, head out, and hope fervently we don't get the dreaded "mid-day phone call of doom".

 

[Mack Diver]

I hope the waters stay calm for your trip. There is also something brewing out around the windward islands that could muck things up for a bit.

 

[RTRski]

Look on the bright side - if you don't get to go, you can sign up for the 3 day Labor Day weekend trip.

 

[Blowin' Bubbles]

Hope the weather behaves, and Good Luck! A friend of mine just returned from a trip to the Flower Garden... The pictures and stories she had to share were amazing! Enjoy!

 

[richerso]

Guba,
A well known song writer once said something about "tryin' to reason with hurricane season"

 

[k-valve]

Here's the Austin weather guru's take on it...

1215 pm CT - Saturday / 19 July 2008

... Disorganized Disturbance Continues in the Caribbean ...

Latest satellite data suggests that the system in the central Caribbean
is a open tropical wave and is quite disorganized. This is quite
contrary compared to my thoughts from yesterday. The system is moving
west northwestward from a position approximately 185 miles south
southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.

Based on atmospheric conditions, forecast guidance and sea surface
temperatures, I still believe that this system will become better
organized over the next day or so and will become a declared tropical
system before it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula sometime before late
Sunday night into early Monday morning.

Most of the computer guidance is quite consistent in bringing the system
into the southern Gulf of Mexico during the day Monday and continuing
west northwest from that position. After that, the consistency continues
with a tropical system approaching the extreme northern Mexican coast
and/or the south or mid Texas coast sometime late Wednesday into
Thursday next week.

Please note that computer models are not perfect; in fact, sometimes
they're far from it. They are to be used as meteorological tools in the
huge meteorological toolbox that we use every day. On the other hand,
one thing we look for in models in consistency (models agreeing with
each other) and that is one thing that we are seeing at this point into
the areas mentioned above for next week.

As a result, no reason to go overboard just yet. Let's continue to
monitor this Caribbean system very carefully and be "better safe than
sorry."

I'll continue to keep you informed.

Have a good weekend,

tk

--
Troy M. Kimmel, Jr.
Senior Lecturer and
Manager, Weather and Climate Resource Center,
Department of Geography and the Environment,
University of Texas at Austin
Chief Meteorologist, KVET/KASE/KFMK Radio (Clear Channel Austin)
UT Website: www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/kimmel

 

[blownsvtlightning]

They say there is no such thing as a stupud question, and I guess this will put that theory to test... Why did you hvae to take a physical before a flower gardens dive? is it some kind of requirement or is it just something to do for your own well being? just curious is all..

Edit: I read in another thread it has something to do with a teacher dive or some kind of educational dive..

 

[richerso]

I think Guba was just kidding (joking) about the physical exam. Just my opinion. Nothing authoritatave.

 

[k-valve]

Why did you hvae to take a physical before a flower gardens dive?

Normally, a physical is not required, but, if I'm remembering correctly, Guba is going on the NOAA-sponsored Down Under Out Yonder trip. So, NOAA is requiring participants to have a physical...not the Fling.

 

[Mack Diver]

NOAA is very strict about who they invite to participate in one of their studies, and I too believe they require everyone to pass a physical. It is truly and honor for Guba to be invited to participate in this trip; something that is not easily achieved. Way to go Guba !!!