Gustav is one word, trouble.  Anyone along the Gulf coast states should be taking action now to prepare for a tropical system or hurricane making landfall. Anyone from Pensacola Florida to Galveston Texas should be prepared for this storm. Make sure you:

1. Have a plan, don’t wait until the last minute before deciding to stay or leave.
2. Get necessary items NOW! Don’t wait! Even if the storm winds up missing you, you’re before off being safe then sorry.
3. Know all hurricane/tropical system knowledge like hurricane watches and hurricane warnings as well as tropical storm watches and warnings.

• WATCHES are issued when hurricane or tropical storm conditions can be expected within 36 hours.
• WARNINGS are issued when hurricane or tropical storm conditions can be expected within 24 hours or less.
• TROPICAL STORMS contain winds of 40-73 MPH
• HURRICANES contain winds of 74 MPH+

In addition to Gustav, I’m also watching Ivest 95L. There is an area of circulation across the eastern Carribean that may become a tropical depression over the next couple of days. Models do show this area of thunderstorms and showers strengthening so it is quite possible that this next storm will become Hanna, our 8th storm of the 2008 hurricane season. I’ll be keeping an eye on this storm and let you know of any changes that may occur this system.

FAY, FAY, FAY… THE STORM THAT NEVER QUITS!

Fay is downgraded to a weak area of low pressure which will begin to chug northward over the next couple of days. The reminents of Fay should cause for some showery weather, but dryer air from Canada should prevent a major rain event for much of the east coast. Majority of the heavy rain will be kept to our south across Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. A few extra clouds will dot the sky with a slight possibility of seeing some showers and possibly a t-storm across the Philadelphia metro area and southern NJ. New England shouldn’t be affected by Fay and much of the precipitation shouldn’t go north of NYC metro area. Cold front moves through at the start of the weekend, bringing in the possibilty of a shower or t-storm across the entire Northeast. 12z WRF/GFS in pretty good agreement that the front will clear the region during the morning hours bringing dryer and clearer skies by Saturday evening. A ridge of high pressure appears to be building by the end of the weekend and start of next week, which should keep the eastern US mild and warm. Expect warm days and cool nights for many locales! Perfect September and back to school weather!

Stay tuned for the latest on Gustav, the tropics, and our weather up here in the Northeast!

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Forecaster: Joe Gullo