Frankenstorm Is Coming

A cold front will move through later tonight, bringing
rain and cooler air before Sandy arrives.

I have much to talk about reguarding Hurricane Sandy (aka Frankenstorm) but let's talk the days leading up to it first.  Later today a cold front associated with a system up in Canada will begin making its way through our region.  Accompanying it will be showers and some cooler air.  This front won't make it through very fast and will stay around all day Saturday before it finally moves through. It will eventually slow down due to Hurricane Sandy moving in from the East.  The rain and the front are not associated with Sandy.  This is a different system all together.  However it will help bring Sandy in to the state.

Here is the path the NHC is predicting for Sandy.

Total rain forecasted by the HPC.  We can expect between 4-6".

So let's talk Sandy.  Currently Sandy is a Category 1 hurricane (Scale goes 1-5 with 5 being the worst) with max winds of 75 mph.  It is just to the east of Florida and is moving alongside the coast up this way.  It is projected to strengthen a little bit as it gets closer to the NE.  After waiting a few days, the models have finally come into agreement with Sandy hitting the NE, somewhere between Ocean City, MD and Long Island.  The euro model, which has been the best one all week, has it hitting south NJ, while the GFS has it hitting near Connecticut.  The NAM has it making landfall near Long Island.  Yes there is still disagreement for the landfall but it will hit the NE for sure.  Another thing that is certain is that NW PA will feel the effects from it, starting Monday but Tuesday and Wednesday will be the worst days.  Heavy rain and gusty winds are the main threat.  Rain is projected to be between 4-6" our area which is alot of rain!  Flooding will be a main concern for low lying areas and persons that live in those areas should take necessary actions now.  Winds will be very strong as well. Sustained winds of 30-40 are expected with gusts possibly reaching around 65 mph.  The NWS Cleveland has already said they expect a wind advisory to be issued over the weekend.  As for snow goes, I don't think we will receive much if any.  The best chance for some flakes is during the day Monday before hurricane Sandy moves in.  The cold front that I mentioned earlier will be bringing some cold air with it and some of the precip could come down as snow but probably only in the higher elevations and there won't be any accumulations.  It just is too warm at the surface, and not cold enough aloft.  It will be a rain event for Crawford County.  With winds reaching 65 mph, power outages should be expected all across the region.  Power could be out for a while so it is important that you stock up on fresh water and food and to get flashlights working. 

Power outages are likely.
Image: TWC

This storm is serious and should not be taken lightly.  Hurricanes or even any kind of tropical system for that matter do not hit the NE very often.  It is important that you prepare for this storm.  Obviously people on the coast will get hit the worst but things will be bad here in Crawford County as well.  Here is a small clip from the NWS State College advisory message earlier regarding pre storm actions. Most of these are applicable to our area, however evacuations will most likely not happen.

SOME SUGGESTED PRE STORMS ACTIONS ARE:

1. FUEL UP YOUR VEHICLES.
2. IF YOU HAVE A GENERATOR...ASSURE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE FUEL ON HAND.
3. TO PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF PROLONGED POWER OUTAGES...MAKE
SURE YOU HAVE A SUPPLY OF FRESH BATTERIES AND A SUPPLY OF CANDLES OR
FLASHLIGHTS ON HAND.
5. BE SURE TO HAVE SEVERAL DAYS OF FRESH WATER ON HAND FOR DRINKING
AND COOKING.
6. IF YOU STILL HAVE LAWN FURNITURE OUTSIDE...SECURE OR STORE IT
INDOORS. SECURE ANY OUTSIDE ITEMS THAT COULD BECOME AIRBORNE IN
STRONG WINDS.
7. CLEAN OUT ANY STORM DRAINS OR GUTTERS THAT MAY BE CLOGGED BY LEAVES.
8. IF YOU LIVE IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA AND IF POSSIBLE...CONSIDER
MOVING ITEMS THAT MAY BE DAMAGED TO HIGHER GROUND.
9. IF YOU HAVE LIMITED MOBILITY OR KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO MAY BE
DISABLED...CONSIDER ARRANGING FOR TEMPORARY SHELTER IF THEY LIVE
IN AN AREA THAT MAY FLOOD OR COULD LOSE POWER.
10. IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE...BE SURE SURE TO CARE FOR YOUR PETS.

This storm has the chance of being historical, especially for those living on the coast

If you have any family over that way, you should call them and make sure they are aware 

of the dangers of this storm 

I'll have more updates soon.

If you have any questions, e-mail me at jordan@crawfordweather.com

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Links: IR loop of Sandy

Vis loop of Sandy

North American Model showing Sandy's landfall
around Long Island.

Euro model, which has been the most consistent, is
showing a southern NJ landfall.

The GFS model, which has been really crappy but is
finally coming around, shows a Connecticut landfall.