Tropical Storm Isaac

[PhilDernerJr]

at 11AM its still a tropical storm, but winds of up 100mph have been found at flight level. strengthening slowly.

Looking at charts, the "flight level" winds are much lighter than most of the country...which at those altitudes can be 75mph on average. At worst, I'm seeing 35mph at 34,000ft near Isaac.

[eric8669]

Looking at charts, the "flight level" winds are much lighter than most of the country...which at those altitudes can be 75mph on average. At worst, I'm seeing 35mph at 34,000ft near Isaac.

I'm only reporting what I'm reading and hearing, The hurricane hunters are reporting winds of near 100mph. Actual ground level winds are near 70mph.

[Matt Molnar]

Looking at charts, the "flight level" winds are much lighter than most of the country...which at those altitudes can be 75mph on average. At worst, I'm seeing 35mph at 34,000ft near Isaac.

Flight level winds from the data = flight level of the Hurricane Hunter aircraft, which is only around 4600 ft.

[Landing Lights]

As of 12:30, Issac was classified as a 75 mph, category 1 hurricane. Though it won't make landfall as the category 3 storm that was predicted days ago, and probably won't even reach category 2, the rain amounts and associated flooding are worrisome. I really don't think that 20 inches is outside of the realm of realistic possibility, considering that a few of the short-range models are now predicting massive rainfall amounts (32.5 inches in NOLA, nearly 48 inches on the MS/AL border) While those are numbers that I would personally consider to be excessive, even if the total rainfall is half that number, there would be major flooding.

[gonzalu]

Lakeshore Drive is already been closed due to flooding around the parks near the lake from big 12-15 foot waves... This is way in-land from the heart of the storm or even the outer bands of heavy rainfall.

[PhilDernerJr]

I assume Lakeshore Drive is in New Orleans? I only know the Chicago version.

[moose135]

It runs along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

[Perriwen]

For those of you saying it's gonna be a dud, consider (remember, I am from New Orleans originally):

1.) New Orleans is a bowl. Bowls plus lots of water tends to not end well. And this storm is going to be dumping far more rain than Katrina did. Also, in Katrina, New Orleans was actually on the weaker side...this time, it will be hit full-force on the strong side.

2.) The levees have not yet been tested against a major force of nature since the repairs.

[Landing Lights]

From the One Mile at a Time blog, comes this video of an AF A340 doing a last second go-around at SXM while it was being affected by Issac recently.

[Perriwen]

Watching continuing coverage...and as I predicted, this thing is far from a dud.

[moose135]

Just saw a clip from NBC News with Al Roker out standing in the wind and rain in New Orleans. I bet right about now, he is wishing he was at Bayswater, watching paint dry...

[AirtrafficController]

KMSY 291302Z 08033G51KT 1 1/4SM +RA BR OVC012 26/24 A2902 RMK AO2 PK WND 07051/1255 P0005

[eric8669]

This guy is an overhyped dud. Worst threat will be rain. Next time a legit storm approaches this area, people will not take it seriously.

would you like to retract your "dud" status now?

[Perriwen]

would you like to retract your "dud" status now?

I'd hope so. I don't think I've ever seen a hurricane just stop half over land and half over water and thus not weaken even a tiny little bit for nearly twelve hours.

12-foot flood waters are being reported in New Orleans.

[Matt Molnar]

Okay, not a dud.