Sketchy weather formation over STJ

[alw1977]

Looks like there's a couple of rainy days ahead:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Ya, that's Invest 93L. Most sources are forecasting for it to become a tropical depression later today or tonight. Lots of thunderstorm activity and some gusty winds (35 mph).

[California Girl]

Hey Marcia! I forgot you are a weather junkie! I see a lot of "Invest" this and that, all with different numbers, and I realize they are different storms or depressions, but do you know why the word "invest" is used? That's had me curious for quite a while!

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Hey Marcia! I forgot you are a weather junkie! I see a lot of "Invest" this and that, all with different numbers, and I realize they are different storms or depressions, but do you know why the word "invest" is used? That's had me curious for quite a while!

Okay, I'll do my best. Basically, it means that there is a weather system (tropical) that is worthy of specific/continuous data measurement from all of the various agencies (one of which is located here in Madison, at the University). It does not always mean that a tropical depression will develop but it does mean that conditions are favorable and constant, specific monitoring kicks in.

Why the word invest? Maybe because all of the agencies will INVEST their time in it? Who knows!!

Hope this helped.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

One more thing, looks like this one won't develop into a TS until Tuesday but the winds/rain/thunderstorm activity will continue...

PR is getting battered...lots of flooding!

[Pia]

I think it means worthy of investigation

Pia

[Chet]

These sites will keep you busy:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

We use these tools, and others, to track swell. http://rodndtube.com/_links/dmv_forecasts.shtml

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

wunderground is a great site. The posters can get rather snarky though (on Master's blog) so I don't post much. Dr. Masters has great insight though. StormW is good, too. He's in Fla so when I see something heading in my parent's direction, I look to his blog (link on wunderground).

[Pia]

Another one we all look at

http://stormcarib.com/

Pia

[Lulu76]

That site is fascinating, Pia. Thanks!

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

I agree, Pia, stormcaribe is a really good one to look at. Especially if you live on the islands. It's put out there in layman's terms so you don't have to be a weather geek like me to understand it. (Wunderground can get a little intense) Plus, Dave has a great sense of humor.

If you live on the islands, stormcaribe is the place to look. Daily. During the (shhhhhh) "H" season. You'll know if it's important enough to (shhhhhhh) worry about or not. If you care to delve further into the whole thing, use the other sites. But, you don't have to, with stormcaribe, you get the gist and move on.

Thankfully, so far, (as this weather geek sees it), STT/STJ will be spared any...wait, let me stop, this might cause a jinx.

Enjoy the rain, let the folliage drink it in, fill the cisterns, scare off the chickens and roosters in Ruth and Ron's yard, and maybe get a few fantastic rainbows while it blows around the tiny islands we all love.